Scholarship and Funding Resources
UW DPT Program-Specific Scholarship Awards
Enrolled DPT students will be informed by program leadership of when and how to apply for DPT program-specific scholarship opportunities.
Dr. Marjorie A. Moore Endowed Scholarship
Amount: $750
Description: Physical therapy students in their first year are eligible. This scholarship is awarded based on academic merit at the end of Spring quarter, to students who achieve the highest academic score(s) in the anatomy course.
Jo Ann McMillan Endowed Fellowship
Amount: $7000 per year
Description: Physical therapy students in their first year are eligible to apply. The application opens in April and the deadline is in June. This scholarship is awarded based on academic standing and potential contribution to the field of physical therapy. Preference is given to applicants with demonstrated financial need.
Maureen McGee Endowed Fund
Amount: $4000 per year
Description: Physical therapy students in their first year are eligible to apply. The application opens in April and the deadline is in June. This scholarship is awarded based on academic standing and potential contribution to the field of physical therapy.
Mary Gross Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $900
Description: Physical therapy students in their second year are eligible to apply. The application opens at the beginning of Winter quarter and the deadline is in February. This scholarship was established in 1946 to commemorate the life and work of Mary Gross Hutchinson, a long time faculty member and leader in the Physical Education Department at the UW from 1919 to 1947, the time of her death. Applicants must have a financial aid application on file in the UW student financial aid office. A short scholarship application form is also required.
Dr. Mark Guthrie Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,000
Description: Physical therapy students in their third year are eligible to apply. The application opens at the beginning of Winter quarter and the deadline is in February. Applicants must be in good academic standing, demonstrate strong potential for leadership in the field of physical therapy, and demonstrate financial need. Applicants are asked to write a short essay (no more than 500 words) describing 1) what leadership in physical therapy means and what they have done in the way of leadership thus far and 2) their future plans upon graduation.
Local and Regional Scholarship Awards
Lake City-Shoreline Emblem Club Scholarship
Amount: $500
Description: Physical therapy students in their second year are eligible to apply. The application opens in January and the deadline is March 15. The Supreme Emblem Club is a national charitable organization comprised of 16 state associations and many local clubs. The Lake City-Shoreline Emblem Club #189 is committed to supporting the health and wellness of veterans, literacy, and academic scholarships. This scholarship has been offered within the UW DPT program since 1998.
Seattle Foundation Scholarship Opportunities
Amount: $2,000-$15,000
Description: The scholarship cycle generally launches in November with deadlines in March of the following year. Read the descriptions for current scholarships in detail as they each have their own deadlines and eligibility requirements.
Indian Health Service/Alaska Native Health Professions Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Description: This Health Professions scholarship provides financial aid to qualified American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate- and graduate-level students. Recipients must be members of federally recognized Tribes and enrolled in an eligible health profession degree program. In exchange for financial aid, scholarship recipients agree to fulfill a service commitment in full-time clinical practice upon completion of their academic or post-graduate clinical training.
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Description: Provides scholarships to undergraduate- and graduate-level students that are Native Hawaiians.
National Scholarship Awards
AAUW Career Development Grants
Amount: Up to $8,000
Description: Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education, health and medical sciences, or social sciences. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields.
Advanced Travel Therapy Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Description: For students enrolled in a graduate physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology program. Offered two times a year. Access the website for more information.
Allina EMPOWER Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Description: This scholarship, administered by Courage Kenny Foundation, encourages and supports ethnically diverse students who are pursuing a career in a medical or rehabilitation field. The scholarship is made possible by a generous gift from the David M. Hersey Endowment Fund of the Courage Kenny Foundation. Applicants must identify how they will use their education and training and demonstrate their interest in rehabilitation. Selection is based on the applicant’s stated intentions, past achievements, need, and graduation ranking.
The annual application period is Jan 1 - April 15. Scholarships are awarded in June.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Access and Opportunity Scholarship Awards (previously the APTA Minority Scholarship)
Amount: Varies
Description: The APTA Access and Opportunity Scholarship Awards recognize physical therapy students currently in their final year of an accredited program for their professional character and academic excellence. Applicants must be nominated for the award by a faculty member. For questions regarding the nomination process or the award, please contact your faculty advisor, or honorsandawards@apta.org.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Outstanding PT Student Award
Amount: $1,000
Description: The APTA Outstanding PT Student Award identifies a student physical therapist and student physical therapist assistant member with exceptional overall accomplishments and contributions to APTA and the physical therapy profession. The outstanding student physical therapist will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must currently be enrolled in their final year of an accredited or developing physical therapist or physical therapist assistant education program. The applicant must be a current member of APTA. Scholarships are awarded annually and applications must be submitted by December 1st.
AMBUCS Scholarship Program for Therapists
Amount: Up to $6,000
Description: For students enrolled in a graduate physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology program. Applicants must submit proof of enrollment in an accredited program, a one-page personal statement, and demonstration of financial need.
American Academy of Physical Therapy
Amount: Up to $2,500
Description: For PT and PTA students in their final year of training. Selection places an importance on contributing to minority affairs.
Banyan Scholarship for Clinical Education and Healthcare Professions
Amount: $1,000
Description: The Banyan Scholarship for Clinical Education and Healthcare Professions offers grant money to support working students in healthcare fields. This scholarship is open to students pursuing careers in healthcare, including medical, mental health, addiction treatment, clinical, and social care professions.
Daughters of the American Revolution Physical/Occupational Therapy Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Description: For students who are in financial need and have been accepted or are attending an accredited PT or OT program.
Exxat Student Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Description: The Exxat team is proud to support all aspects of health sciences education, including the students who are the future of healthcare. The amount of scholarships awarded varies each year. Awarded to applicants who exemplify excellence in Scholarly Productivity, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership, and Care for Underserved Communities.
F.A. Davis Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Description: F.A. Davis is dedicated to developing teaching and learning solutions that meet the needs of nursing and health science students, educators, and practitioners. To stay committed to our goal of shaping the future of nursing and health science education, F.A. Davis is proud to offer annual scholarships to support those aspiring to work in healthcare.
HIE Help Center Scholarship for Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Students
Amount: $1,000
Description: This scholarship is for physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology students with a 3.0 GPA in a US program. Applicants must be committed to helping individuals with cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and other disabilities.
International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons Health Careers Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Description: This scholarship is for US citizens in various health fields. PT students must have completed 2 years of study.
Mary McMillan Scholarship Award
Amount: $5,000
Description: This scholarship is for students in their last year at an accredited PT or PTA program
Power of 1 or 2
Amount: $5,000
Description: The Power of 1 or 2 Scholarships include a graduate scholarship which recognizes graduate students who always let their light shine bright for others in a way that is impactful and inspiring. Each year, $5,000 scholarships are awarded closing in April and awarded in May. The Power of 1 or 2 also offers a Representation Matters scholarship to an undergraduate or graduate BIPOC student pursuing higher education. This scholarship is awarded each February during Black History month.
Rizing Tide
Amount: Up to $14,000, runner-up $5,000
Description: Every patient deserves to feel represented by their healthcare provider—and have access to affordable care. Rizing Tide offers student scholarships to inspire more diversity and inclusiveness in the physical therapy workforce. The Crest scholarship is awarded to DPT students who identify as BIPOC and are pursuing a DPT degree. Applicants must be either undergraduate students who have been accepted into an accredited DPT program, first or second-year PT students currently enrolled in an accredited PT program, or PTAs entering a bridge PT program. Awards may be renewed once.
Also offers scholarships to those pursuing residency.
Employer-Sponsored Scholarship Awards
Big Stone Therapies Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000
Description: In the interest of recruiting high quality employees and to assist therapy students with their educational pursuits, Big Stone Therapies, Inc. (BST) has developed a scholarship program to help pay a portion of the educational expenses associated with obtaining a degree in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech-Language Pathology. This scholarship program supports students who are willing to make an employment commitment to BST following the completion of their Physical Therapy degree.
Veteran Affairs (VA) National Education for Employees Program
(Employee Incentive Scholarship Program)
Amount: Up to $40,000 over 3 years of full-time coursework
Description: This scholarship is for students who are VA employees and are pursuing health care careers through degrees that are first-time certification programs requiring practicum hours. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA. Must work at the VA during academic breaks and for 3 years after graduation.
Low Cost Loan Programs
PEO International
Amount: Varies
Description: This is a low cost educational loan option offered by PEO International, an organization that promotes educational support for women pursuing higher education. Applicants require a recommendation from a PEO Chapter (state, locale, other). There are chapters all over the country. Link to the WA State Chapter: https://www.peowashington.org/
Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs
The United States Department of Education (ED) Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on your federal Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. This program has very specific qualifying requirements and approval has been challenging for many, so it is recommended that you examine your eligibility very closely and contact PSLF program representatives with all questions.