KEITH H. WILLIAMS PHYSICAL THERAPY DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded annually to a first year High Point University Doctor of Physical Therapy student
Description: Established in 2020, the Keith H. Williams Physical Therapy Diversity Scholarship aims to increase awareness and promote diversity in the healthcare profession by supporting students from ethnic minorities who wish to pursue a career in the field of physical therapy. This scholarship is given in honor of Dr. Keith H. Williams, MD. Throughout his life and career, he was generous with the community and worked to provide quality care for his patients. He was well known in his community for his outreach and work to ensure patients that had little, got their medications and proper treatment. After completing his residency, Dr. Williams practiced medicine at the San Carlos Indian Hospital as part of the Indian Health Service in 1989-1993 on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. For most of Dr. Keith Williams’ career, he practiced as an internal medicine physician in Danville, Virginia. He joined as a partner and practiced as part of Piedmont Internal Medicine Inc. in 1993 until his death in 2013. Dr. Keith Williams valued family, discipline, and caring for those in need. Dr. Monifa Williams, HPU DPT ’20, led efforts to establish this scholarship. For questions or more information, please contact Dr. Renee Hamel at [email protected].
Criteria for competitive selection: This scholarship will be awarded yearly to:
- An incoming first-year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at High Point University.
- The applicant must be from an underrepresented group in the physical therapy profession.
- The applicant must demonstrate altruism, character, and excellence in extracurricular activities.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
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ALLIE ROSE ZAMBITO SUNSHINE SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded annually to a second year High Point University Doctor of Physical Therapy student
Mission: Allie Rose Zambito led an extraordinary life, filled with love, laughter, family, and friends. She impacted all she met in her short time, and left a lasting legacy behind that will be carried on in her memory. This charity is designed to celebrate the life, achievements, and passion for health displayed by our beloved Allie Rose Zambito The Allie Rose Zambito Sunshine Scholarship, Inc.’s mission is to promote, support, and administer an annual scholarship to a second-year graduate student enrolled in a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at High Point University or the University of Delaware.
The Allie Rose Zambito Sunshine Scholarship is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. Second year physical therapy students currently enrolled in a doctoral program at either High Point University or the University of Delaware are invited to apply. Please complete the application below in full to be considered for this scholarship. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jennie Ivey at [email protected].
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
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ADVOCACY SCHOLARSHIP
Description: Recognizes a PT or PTA student who demonstrates legislative advocacy for the advancement of physical therapy practice through leadership, service, and other efforts.
Competitive selection criteria: Must demonstrate excellence in scholastic achievement and unpaid leadership, service, or other advocacy-related activities that directly related to the profession of physical therapy. (Examples: volunteer work with APTA NC State Legislative committee or the Federal Affairs Liaison; contact with legislators, lobbying, initiating/promoting policy, organizing campaigns, role in advocacy-based organizations, influencing policy change, related community volunteerism, advocacy-related research, etc.)
Winner Chapter Service Requirement
- Serve on the Legislative Committee or with the Federal Affairs Liaison for one year following receipt of the scholarship
- If the winner receives and APTA NC scholarship and then moves out of state before the end of one year of service, we ask that they volunteer to serve in their new state Chapter
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
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DEI SCHOLARSHIP
Description: Recognizes a PTA or PT student who demonstrates leadership, service, advocacy, and other efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Competitive selection criteria: Must demonstrate excellence in scholastic achievement and unpaid leadership, advocacy, and service activities directly related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession of physical therapy. (Examples: recruitment/retention efforts, inclusive programming, DEI research, policy promotion, outreach, role in DEI-focused organizations or activities, etc.)
Winner Chapter Service Requirement: Serve on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in liaison with the Chair of that committee for one year following receipt of the scholarship
- If the winner graduates within one year of winning an APTA NC scholarship and moves out of state, we ask that they volunteer in their new state Chapter.
Application Deadline: June 1 – July 4 yearly
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KESKULA FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Description: Recognizes a DPT student who exemplifies the Keskula Family’s commitment and belief in education, the teaching and learning process, and community service. Preferred applicant is a first-generation college student.
Criteria for competitive selection: Must demonstrate excellence in scholastic achievement and a strong commitment to teaching, education, and community service toward progressing the profession of physical therapy.
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
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LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP
Description: Recognizes a PT or PTA student who demonstrates leadership of momentous impact in one area or for leadership excellence. This award recognizes and honors a student who demonstrates leadership excellence through scholastic achievement and leadership in the PT/PTA program and/or leadership at the local, regional, national, or international levels.
Criteria for competitive selection: Demonstrates evidence of excellence in scholastic achievement and leadership at the program, local, state, national, and/or international levels. (Examples: peer leadership, leadership role in organizations, servant leadership, role modeling, peer mentorship, APTA, APTA NC Student SIG, etc.)
Winner Chapter Service Requirement:
- Winner will work with the Student Scholarship Committee for one year after receiving the scholarship.
- If the winner receives and APTA NC scholarship and then moves out of state before the end of one year of service, we ask that they volunteer to serve in their new state Chapter
Application Deadline: May 9, 2025
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BEN F. MASSEY SCHOLARSHIP
Description: Recognizes a PT or PTA student who is nearing completion of their program of study and who demonstrates current and future potential to contribute to the profession at the local, regional, national, and/or international level.
Competitive criteria for selection: Must demonstrate current and future potential to contribute to the physical therapy profession based on service, advocacy, leadership, and or teaching.
Winner Chapter Service Requirement:
- Serve on a Chapter committee of choice in liaison with the Chair of that committee for one year following receipt of the scholarship
- If moving out of state after graduation, we ask that the scholarship recipient volunteer in their new state Chapter.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
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STUDENT DELEGATE SCHOLARSHIP
Description: Sponsors PTA or PT student delegates to attend the in-person APTA House of Delegates with the APTA NC delegation
Criteria for competitive selection: In the essay, the student articulates their interest in the larger issues of governance of the profession.
Winner Chapter Service Requirement:
- Shadow the Chief Delegate during NC delegation meetings leading up to the House of Delegates; attend the House of Delegates with the NC delegation
- If the winner graduates and moves out of state less than one year after receiving this APTA NC scholarship, we ask that they volunteer to serve in their new state Chapter
Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
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McLEOD HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Description & Criteria: Assist students in attaining their healthcare career goals by providing financial assistance to students who have been accepted into an approved program of study in an identified healthcare employment area of need. The scholarships available are for tuition only with amounts varying with respect to the area of study. We are recruiting motivated students whose core values align with those of McLeod to work atone of our eight locations following the completion of their academic program.
Criteria for competitive selection: In the essay, the student articulates their interest in the larger issues of governance of the profession.
The scholarship recipient will apply for full-time employment with McLeod, at any of their campuses, in the area in which they were educated. If they are hired for employment with the organization, McLeod will forgive the scholarship at a set rate each month in which they work for McLeod Health. All McLeod Health scholarships require a work-off commitment. This
commitment does not constitute a contract of employment and employment would be at will. Receiving the scholarship does not automatically qualify a person for employment at McLeod Health. If the scholarship recipient is not offered or declines employment with McLeod Health within 90 days of graduation, the scholarship status will be in default.
Application deadline: October 31, 2025
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MARY McMILLAN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Description & Criteria: The Mary McMillan Scholarship Award acknowledges and honors outstanding physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students who are nearing the completion of their respective programs of study. The scholarship program contributes to the growth of physical therapy as a profession by recognizing individuals with superior capabilities.
Nominees must be:
- 3rd year physical therapist students or physical therapist assistant students who are current members in good standing of the association, and by the start of the annual Honors & Awards nomination process, are enrolled in the final year of study in a CAPTE-accredited PT or mPTA program (or for PTA programs with a part-time curriculum, the final year of the curriculum), based on each institution’s determination of the minimum number of credit hours required for final year status, and are within 12 months of completing all requirements for graduation from the program in which they are enrolled.
- The only nominee from the PT or PTA program in which they are enrolled. Only one physical therapist student and one physical therapist assistant student may be nominated from each academic institution.
- Awards up to $5000
Self-nominations are not permitted for this award. Nominations must be submitted by the faculty and/or student body from a CAPTE-accredited PT or PTA program.
Application deadline: December 1, 2025
Visit this site for more information
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AMBUCS Scholarships for Therapists
Description & Criteria: Students must be US citizens accepted in a graduate-level program that is accredited by the appropriate therapy profession authority in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, or audiology. Assistant or undergraduate programs are not eligible. Awards are based on financial need, commitment to local community, character for compassion and integrity, and career objectives.
Application timeline: Yearly from February 1 – April 1
Visit this site for more information and to apply
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DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION PHYSICAL THERAPY SCHOLARSHIPS
Description: The Physical Therapy Scholarship, in the amount of $5,000, is awarded to four students who are in financial need and have been accepted or are attending an accredited school.
Application Deadline: Check specific scholarship criteria for deadline
Click this link to learn about available scholarship opportunities
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HIE HELP CENTER SCHOLARSHIP FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS
Description: This $1000 scholarship is for physical, therapy, or speech therapy students with a 3.25 GPA at a U.S. institution.
Application deadline: July 31, 2025
EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM (EDRP)
APTA ACADEMY OF CARDIOVASCULAR & PULMONARY PHYSICAL THERAPY
Purpose: Originally created in 1995, the Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy Research Grant is designed to stimulate well-defined research studies that are related to cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy. The grant is supported through Academy fund raising activities as well as through donations by individuals or Academy business partners.
The current call for 2025 includes 3 funding categories:
- Student Grants: up to $1,000 plus CSM registration for the Principal Investigator.
- Resource Grants: up to $1,000 for minor research-related expenses (e.g. minor piece of equipment, statistical support, etc.)
- Regular Grants: up to $5,000. Travel costs and registration to CSM can be included in the budget but cannot exceed $1,000.
Eligibility: There are two eligibility requirements for the Academy research grants:
- The principal investigator must be a member in good standing of the Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy at the time of application and receipt of the grant.
- If the principal investigator is a student who is not a member of the Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy, his/her mentor must be a member in good standing of the Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy; and,
- The proposed study must be related to cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy.
Application Deadline: July 31, 2025