3 Scholarships For Physical Therapist Assistants

The career of Physical Therapist Assistant is a fast-growing field, with many jobs predicted to open up in the coming years. According to U.S. News, the job prospects for physical therapist assistants are expected to rise, with 21,200 jobs being added in the U.S. between 2008 and 2018. Most Physical Therapist Assistant programs take 2 years to complete, which can ease the financial burden compared to funding a 4-year college degree. However, college can still be expensive, and most students will require some form of financial aid to help pay for their education.

Finding and applying for scholarships is one of the best ways to help cover the costs of your Physical Therapist Assistant education (or any education, for that matter). To get you started, we have selected 3 scholarships for Physical Therapist Assistants. You can find more Physical Therapist Assistant scholarships by utilizing our college scholarship search above or by checking with your employer or the organizations you belong to.

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1. Summit Physical Therapy Scholarship

The Summit Physical Therapy Scholarship awards one student $500 per year. To be eligible, you must be enrolled full-time at a college or university by January 2026 (just the fall or spring semester following high school is fine), and hold at least a 3.0 GPA from your most recent academic year. Applicants must be U.S. or Canadian residents and submit a short essay explaining the benefits of physical therapy.

2. Physical Therapy Assistant Scholarship (PTA Guide)

The PTA Guide Physical Therapy Assistant Scholarship offers one $500 award each year to a student currently enrolled in—or accepted into—a CAPTE‑accredited Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program in the United States. To apply, you’ll need to write an essay between 1,000 and 2,000 words explaining how you plan to better the world using your education and talents, including your personal and career goals. Submit your essay, along with your full name and PTA program details, via email to the address provided on the PTA Guide site.

3. Mary McMillan Scholarship Award

The APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship Award grants up to $5,000 to outstanding physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA) students in their final year of study. Nominees must be APTA members in good standing, enrolled in a CAPTE-accredited program, and within 12 months of completing their degree. Only one PT and one PTA student per institution can be nominated.

In addition to finding scholarships to help pay for your Physical Therapist Assistant education, remember to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Completing the FAFSA can make you eligible for low-interest federal student loans and grants to help pay for your education.