Physical Therapy Majors and Scholarship Money
Stretching Your Budget Too Much?
Physical Therapy students today have a slightly different path to follow to get their degree than did students several years ago. Bachelor degrees in Physical Therapy for the most part have been phased out. Students now must have their four-year degree in order to enter a Master's or Doctoral Physical Therapy degree program which can take anywhere from two to four years. Most students must seek out scholarships in order to help defray the costs of schooling.
Scholarships from Physical Therapy Schools
At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Physical Therapy students can qualify for scholarships from the school itself. There are several devoted to first year students as well as second year students. A few are highlighted below:
- Caroline, Clara, Charles and Mildred Harper Scholarship - Two female first year Physical Therapy students who show financial need and outstanding academic achievement are awarded $1,200 scholarships.
- Barbara Ellen Gerlich-Hoefeyzer Scholarship - An $800 scholarship is awarded to both a first year and second year Physical Therapy student who shows financial need, outstanding academic merit and potential leadership within the Physical Therapy community.
- Margaret Kohli Scholarship - Physical Therapy students in their last year of studies are encouraged to apply. This $2,000 scholarship is based on high academic achievement, community service, leadership and an interest in a Physical Therapy academic career.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also offers scholarships to eligible Physical Therapy students. Financial need and scholastic excellence are the two biggest criteria.
- Charlotte Money Beatty Memorial Scholarship Fund - Minority Physical Therapy students are given first preference in regards to eligibility and then to those who wish to focus on pediatric physical therapy. The monetary award varies each year.
- Rebecca Irene Sande Scholarship Fund - All first year Physical Therapy students are encouraged to apply. It is a $3,000 scholarship award.
Physical Therapy Associations
The American Physical Therapy Association awards scholarships each year through its foundation to several students currently in their post-doctoral studies. For instance, the Florence P. Kendall Doctoral Scholarships are given each year to a few students who wish to enter an academic career in Physical Therapy. They are $5,000 awards. There are also two types of Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships - one for up to $7,500 and one for up to $15,000.
The Texas Physical Therapy Association has a foundation which awards scholarships to deserving students. Several scholarships each year ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 each are awarded to Physical Therapy students earning their Master's or Doctoral degree as well as current licensed Physical Therapists continuing their education.
Every state has its own Physical Therapy Association. Students should contact their respective state associations for scholarship information.
Foundation Support and Other Sources of Funding
Sometimes, it is not a matter of what you know, but what organizations you might have membership in or what church you attend. In addition, your local community, county and state may also have foundations established for supporting the continuing education of its area residents.
International Order of the King's Daughters and Sons is a Christian interdenominational organization with branches in the United States and Canada. They work on a number of projects including hospitals and programs for youth. They offer a several monetary awards a year as part of their Health Careers Scholarship Program. Students preparing for a health related career including Physical Therapy are eligible. These scholarships are typically $1,000 each.
The Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions offers two scholarship programs for students enrolled in an accredited allied health program. One program is called the Secretary's Award and the second is called the Scholarship of Excellence Award. Physical Therapy is one of the recognized career paths.
The Tylenol Scholarship Fund awards $250,000 in scholarships to students in the field of health care. There are 150 $1,000 scholarships up for grabs as well as 20 $5,000 awards. Students in both undergraduate and post-baccalaureate studies are eligible.
The Hawaii Community Foundation offers a number of scholarships in a variety of disciplines including health. Each scholarship has its own requirements; there are several specific to students of Physical Therapy. The Paulina L. Sorg Scholarship and the Dr. Alvin & Monica Saake Foundation Scholarship are two of them.
