DPT Financial Aid & Scholarships

Student Support

Our program offers a variety of financial support to students, from grants and federal loans to cost-of-living supplements and both internal and external scholarships. Financial aid is provided to students through UCSF. For more information about grants, loans, the cost-of-living supplement, and program-specific financial aid budgets:

UCSF Student Financial Aid

Internal Scholarships

UCSF does not use race, gender, sex, or other protected categories or proxies for protected categories in the selection process.

All students enrolled in the UCSF/SFSU DPT program are eligible for the six internal scholarships below. These scholarships are awarded based on need, merit, professionalism, and leadership. No application is required, except for the Physical Therapy Leadership award. These scholarships include:

  • Physical Therapy Leadership Scholarship - Supports students who have financial need, demonstrated academic excellence, and who show promise of leadership and potential to serve the profession of physical therapy. An application is required.
  • Irene Gilbert Scholarship - Supports students enrolled in the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy. Dr. Gilbert was a former beloved Director of the program. Students are selected based on passion for a career in physical therapy, financial need, a record of success in initial coursework, and an exceptional commitment to ethics and professionalism. No application required.
  • JoAnn Baldwin Peters Memorial Scholarship - Established to support students enrolled in the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy who demonstrate promise of leadership, financial need, and potential to serve the profession of physical therapy. Recipients are nominated through an internal process and chosen by faculty vote. No application required.
  • Kean Scholarship - Recipients are selected by faculty. Criteria include academic performance, financial need, participation in the academic program, contributions to the physical therapy profession, and the potential to be an exceptional colleague. No application required.
  • Keller Family Scholarship - Established to support students enrolled in the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy. Recipients are selected based on their passion for a career in physical therapy, financial need, a record of success in clinical rotations, and exceptional “bedside manner.” No application required.
  • Regents Scholarships - Awarded on the basis of outstanding scholastic performance, financial need, evidence of achievement, and promise as a leader. No application required. 

External Scholarships

The UCSF Financial Aid website provides a current list of all outside scholarships students are receiving. Two scholarship databases you can also search for opportunities are: 

Additional external scholarship opportunities include:

  • AMBUCS Scholarship Program for Therapists: For graduate students enrolled in a graduate physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology program. Amount: up to $6,000. Additional information about the AMBUCS scholarship (by clicking on the link, you will be exiting the UCSF site)
  • American Academy of Physical Therapy: For PT and PTA students in their final year of training. Selection places importance on contributing to minority affairs. Amount: up to $2,500. Additional information about the AAPT scholarship (by clicking on the link, you will be exiting the UCSF site)
  • APTA Scholarship Award: For under-resourced PT students who are US citizens in their final year of schooling. Amount varies. Additional information about the APTA scholarship (by clicking on the link, you will be exiting the UCSF site)
  • IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program: This scholarship is for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are pursuing a degree full-time in a health profession. They must have a 2.0 GPA, practice at an Indian health facility for 2 years following graduation, and be US citizens who are members of a federally recognized tribe or village. Amount varies. Additional information about the IHS scholarship (by clicking on the link, you will be exiting the UCSF site)
  • Mary McMillan Scholarship Award: This scholarship is for students in their last year at an accredited PT or PTA program. Amount: $5,000. Additional information about the Mary McMillan scholarship (by clicking on the link, you will be exiting the UCSF site)
  • VA Employee Incentive Scholarship Program: For employees of the US Department of Veterans Affairs pursuing a degree in health care. Recipients must continue to work for the department for 1-3 years after degree completion. Amount: up to $41,572 over 3 years. Additional information about the VA employee scholarship (by clicking on the link, you will be exiting the UCSF site)

Loan Repayment Resources

WICHE Professional Student Exchange Program

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education's (WICHE) Professional Student Exchange Program (by clicking on the link, you will be exiting the UCSF site) provides financial support to students in certain Western states enrolling in select out-of-state professional programs. Students who earn a PSEP award receive substantial tuition support from their home state or territory. Residents of the following states and commonwealths are encouraged to apply for WICHE funding: Alaska, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Wyoming.