Scholarships
At Rizing Tide, we’re always looking forward! To combat the lack of diversity in the physical therapy profession, we annually support a group of high-achieving future BIPOC leaders who are pursuing a career as a physical therapist.
Crest
2025 APPLICATION WINDOW: APRIL 1–MAY 31
Rizing Tide will annually award three Crest scholarships to star students who are pursuing a physical therapy degree and who come from an underrepresented racial and/or ethnic background. Applicants must be either undergraduate students who are going on to attend graduate school or PTAs entering a bridge PT program. Each scholarship awards $14,000—and may be renewed twice.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
- Be a student entering a graduate CAPTE-accredited DPT program OR be a student entering a PTA-to-DPT Bridge Program in the U.S.;
- Have an underrepresented racial and/or ethnic family background;
- Be entering your first or second year of a DPT program;
- Have earned a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA in your undergraduate studies/PTA program; and
- Be a U.S. citizen.
Surge
A Scholarship For Students and/or Physical Therapists Entering a Residency Program
2025 APPLICATION WINDOW: AUGUST 1–OCTOBER 6
Rizing Tide will annually award two Surge scholarships to graduating physical therapy students or licensed physical therapists who come from an underrepresented racial and/or ethnic background—and who are taking their career to the next level by entering a residency program. Each scholarship will amount to a one-time payment of $10,000.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
- Be a graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program;
- Have an underrepresented racial and/or ethnic heritage;
- Have earned a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA in your PT program;
- Attend a PT residency program within the U.S.;
- Remain in good standing throughout the residency program; and
- Be a U.S. citizen.
Our Process
Crest and Surge scholarship recipients are chosen after a rigorous application review and interview process. Recipients are selected by our Beachcombers, a selection committee of seven people who come from all walks of life and are passionate about our mission.
During the scholarship selection process, our Beachcombers will look for applicants who demonstrate:
- Excellent scholastic ability,
- Positive personal character and conduct,
- Leadership skills,
- Participation in community-building, and
- Promise as a future PT!
We publicize these scholarships through PT schools, professional associations, community foundations, colleges with PT programs that serve specific applicants (e.g., HBCUs), and the following scholarship websites.
Our Goals
In the years to come, we hope to expand the resources and learning opportunities that we provide our scholarship recipients. For example, we hope to one day facilitate networking among alumni. Stay tuned (and subscribe to our newsletter) for updates!
