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Financing Your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree

Congratulations on taking the next big step toward becoming a physical therapist! If you’re like most current college seniors or recent grads, your parents might have taken the lead on managing your undergraduate financial aid. Transitioning into graduate school means navigating a whole new financial landscape on your own—and it's completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed or anxious about how to pay for it.

First, take a deep breath. Higher education is an investment in your future. Our goal is to help you build a clear, manageable plan so you can borrow confidently and responsibly, without the fear of the unknown.

Value of a ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ Education

Choosing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is an important investment in your education, your future career, and the communities you’ll serve. Choosing an affordable program is one of the most important steps in managing student debt—but affordability should never come at the expense of quality. At ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½, you don't have to choose between the two. Our Doctor of Physical Therapy program combines exceptional value with academic excellence. According to the PTCAS Cost of Education Comparison, ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ offers the 6th most affordable in-state tuition among Pennsylvania DPT programs and the 5th most affordable out-of-state tuition among DPT programs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Combined with an NPTE ultimate pass rate of more than 95%, ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ provides an outstanding return on your investment in your future.

At ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½, we’re committed to offering a high-quality, student-centered DPT experience that prepares you to enter the physical therapy profession with confidence.

• Individual attention and support
  Our intentionally small, intentionally in-person program ensures that each student receives individualized attention and support when it matters most. With cohorts of only 30 students and most lab courses limited to 15 students, you are more than just a number. You’ll have opportunities to build meaningful connections with faculty, classmates, and clinical partners as you grow in the classroom, clinic, and community.
• Accelerated path to practice
  ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½â€™s accelerated DPT curriculum allows you to complete your DPT education in 2 ½ years, helping you enter the clinic sooner than students in more traditional 3-year programs.
• Active, student-centered learning
  ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ uses a distinctive approach to active learning in a team-based format. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in experiential learning, clinical simulations, and community-based immersive experiences that help you apply what you’re learning in meaningful, practical ways.
• Technology-enhanced education
  Technology is thoughtfully integrated throughout the DPT program to enhance your learning experience. Students frequently use ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½â€™s advanced clinical simulation center, standardized patients, and the Flicker Virtual Anatomy and Dissection Lab. 
• Integrated clinical education
  Clinical education is integrated throughout the curriculum, giving you early and frequent opportunities to apply your knowledge in real healthcare settings. Through both part-time and full-time clinical experiences, you'll be well prepared to transition into professional practice.
• Strong commitment to student success
  ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ is dedicated to supporting student success within an inclusive and welcoming campus community. Across campus, students have access to resources that support study and test-taking strategies, individualized tutoring, and mental and physical health. Career support from ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½â€™s Laurie Riley ’82 Center for Career Success is also woven throughout the DPT program, beginning in your first semester.

A Career with Purpose and Opportunity

Physical therapy is a growing, high-demand profession. The field is expected to see 11% job growth over the next decade, with a median salary of $101,000. ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½â€™s DPT program is designed to help you prepare for this meaningful career through strong academic preparation, hands-on clinical learning, and ongoing support. Our outcomes speak for themselves. 

Free Money First: Scholarships & Grants

Before we talk about borrowing, let’s look at "free money" that you don't have to pay back. We strongly encourage you to aggressively search and apply for outside scholarships to lower your total costs.

ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ Institutional Support

• Legacy Award: Awarded to incoming students whose sibling, parent, grandparent, and/or great-grandparent is currently attending or has graduated from ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½. Eligible recipients who have more than one sibling, parent, or grandparent alum can receive up to $3,000 for the academic year, and eligible recipients who have one sibling, parent, or grandparent alum may receive up to $2,000 for the academic year.

Physical Therapy & Health Science Scholarships

• "EXXAT: This clinical education company offers multiple student scholarships annually to students enrolled in health science or behavioral science education programs.  Explore their eligibility requirements, application instructions, and submission details at .

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): If you become a student member, you gain access to exclusive scholarships and awards. Check out the.
• APTA Pennsylvania Chapter: Offers distinct local awards and financial recognition for physical therapy students in PA. Learn more at.
• Rizing Tide: This organization offers substantial scholarships specifically for DPT students coming from an underrepresented racial or ethnic background. Explore their criteria at.
• F.A. Davis Publishing: This health science publisher offers annual scholarships specifically aimed at health science and physical therapy students. Keep an eye on deadlines at.
• AMBUCS: Provides scholarships to physical therapy students who are dedicated to helping people conquer mobility challenges. Learn more at.
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Scholarships: If you have an interest in sports medicine or strength and conditioning alongside your DPT, the NSCA offers multiple scholarship awards annually (like the Challenge Scholarship and Minority Scholarship) that physical therapy students are explicitly welcome to apply for.  Check out more information at . 
• Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Occupational/Physical Therapy Scholarship: DAR awards scholarships to graduate students with demonstrated financial need who have been accepted into an accredited physical therapy or occupational program.  Learn more at  
• HIE Help Center Scholarship: A $1,000 annual scholarship specifically open to undergraduate- or graduate-level students who are pursuing a career in physical therapy or occupational therapy.  Learn more and apply at . 

General Graduate Scholarship Search Engines

• Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF): Grants scholarships to graduate students of all majors who identify as having Hispanic heritage. Visit.
• Scholly by Sallie Mae: A great mobile-friendly search platform that matches graduate students with niche outside scholarships. Access it at.
• ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ General Directory: Don't forget to bookmark and routinely check our Scholarships from Outside Sources Directory for ongoing updates.

Also, check with your undergraduate alma mater’s alumni association, as many colleges and universities offer small, competitive scholarships specifically for their own graduating seniors who are moving immediately into a graduate or professional program.

Understanding the Costs & Demystifying Student Loans

Many undergraduate students are afraid of loans simply because nobody has ever broken down how they work. Let's look at the numbers cleanly.

The DPT program is a full-time, 8-semester program. You are billed and make payment arrangements each individual semester, but you only have to fill out the FAFSA and loan paperwork once a year (three times total over the entire program).

Relying on student loans is a standard, normal part of the graduate school process. To put it in perspective, 95% of our Summer 2026 cohort utilized the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan to help fund their studies.

The Math: Bridging the Semester "Gap"

• Tuition per semester: $13,650
• Federal Unsubsidized Loan Net Disbursement: $10,141 (Note: This is the actual amount applied to your bill after the federal government takes out a standard 1.057% "origination fee").
• The Remaining Balance (The Gap): $3,509

You don't have to panic about that $3,509 difference. You can handle it using one, or a mix, of these options:

1. Out-of-Pocket or Savings: Paying the balance in full before the semester starts.
2. ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ Monthly Payment Plan: You can split that $3,509 into smaller monthly installments (3, 4, or 5-month plans depending on when you sign up) through your AMOS student portal for a small $35 enrollment fee. This lets you pay as you go rather than all at once.
3. Private Educational Loans: You can apply for credit-based loans to cover the remaining balance.

Moving from out of town? If you aren't local to Bethlehem, graduate student housing options exist! You are allowed to borrow beyond the cost of tuition to help pay for rent, food, and living expenses. Students often use private educational loans to cover these extra costs. If you are living off campus and your total financial aid is more than your tuition bill, ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ will send that extra money to you as a "financial aid refund" check within two weeks of the start of class so you can pay your rent.

Your Borrowing Options Explained

When you do need to borrow, you have two primary routes: Federal Loans and Private Loans.

Federal Student Aid

To access federal loans, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at every fall for the following summer.

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: This is automatically offered to you once we get your FAFSA. Graduate students can borrow up to $10,250 per semester. These loans offer in-school deferment (meaning you don't make payments while in class) and a 6-month grace period after graduation before payments start. Note: Interest begins growing as soon as the loan is sent to the school, so paying off just the interest while you're in school is a great way to save money later!

Private Alternative Education Loans

These are loans offered by outside banks or credit unions. If you are transitioning out of undergrad, you may need a credit-worthy cosigner (like a parent or family member) to get approved or lock in a lower interest rate.

• ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½'s Loan Portal (): This tool lets you compare different private lenders side-by-side to see their interest rates, repayment options, and borrower benefits.
• NACU Credit Union Partnership: Because ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ is part of the New American Colleges and Universities (NACU) network, you have access to student loans from non-profit credit unions through Student Choice. These often feature lower rates and student-friendly terms. Check out the .

Taking the Driver’s Seat: "Interest Management" vs. Total Avoidance

When it comes to student loans, it is incredibly easy to fall into the trap of "total avoidance"—ignoring your loans completely until graduation day because looking at them feels overwhelming or scary. 

Because Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are graduate loans, interest begins accruing (growing) immediately after the funds are sent to the school. But here is the secret weapon that puts you completely in the driver's seat: you do not have to wait until you graduate to engage with your loans.

The Tactic: Small, Interest-Only Payments

You can actively normalize making small, intentional payments—even just $50 to $100 a month—while you are still sitting in class or finishing clinical rotations.

By paying off just the interest as it accrues each month, you unlock a major financial victory:

• You stop "Capitalization" in its tracks: If you ignore your loans while in school, all that accumulated interest gets packed into your main loan balance the day you graduate. This is called capitalization, and it means you end up paying interest on top of interest.
• You lower your total payback amount: Keeping the interest wiped clean during your 8 semesters ensures your loan balance never grows beyond what you originally borrowed. You will head into graduation with a dramatically lower total payback amount and a much shorter path to being completely debt-free.

Managing your loans isn't an all-or-nothing game. By treating interest as a small, predictable monthly utility bill while enrolled, you take away the fear and take control of your financial future.

Putting It All Together: Your Custom Plan

Now that you know how scholarships, payment plans, and loans work, let’s look at how this plays out in real life. As you map out your plan, remember that you are in control of how you piece your funding together.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program costs $13,650 per semester. If you qualify for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the government automatically applies a standard 1.057% origination fee, leaving you with a net disbursement of $10,141 applied directly to your tuition bill.

To see exactly how you can bridge the remaining $3,509 gap, review these three standard scenarios based on how our students commonly structure their payments:

Scenario A: The No-Loan Pathway (Interest-Free Payment Plan)

If you or your family want to completely avoid borrowing student loans for your tuition, you can use ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½'s monthly payment plan to break the total cost into smaller, manageable pieces.

The Outcome: Your semester is paid in full with zero debt and zero interest accrued.

Scenario B: The Blended Pathway (Federal Loan + Monthly Payment Plan)

This is a highly popular, low-stress option. It allows you to take advantage of your guaranteed federal student loan while keeping out-of-pocket costs predictable without taking on extra credit-based debt.

The Outcome: You comfortably pay off your remaining balance over the course of the semester, leaving you with just your baseline federal loan to manage down the road.

Scenario C: The Full-Coverage Pathway (Federal Loan + Private Educational Loan)

If working or paying out-of-pocket isn’t an option right now, this strategy ensures 100% of your costs are covered by financial aid. This is also the standard route for students who need extra funds for housing.

Your Monthly Breakdown: $0 out-of-pocket during the semester. Your loans handle everything while you focus exclusively on your doctoral coursework.

Pro-Tip: To keep this fear-free, you can practice Interest Management by paying just $50–$100 a month toward the accruing interest while enrolled, keeping your future balance from growing!

Adding Housing or Living Expenses? If you need to pay for graduate housing or other indirect living costs, you can increase the private loan amount in Scenario C up to your total Cost of Attendance. The extra funds will be processed by the school and sent directly to you as a financial aid refund check to pay your rent.

Ready to build your plan? Review the "2026-2027 Student Loan Borrowing Options" and "25-26 DPT (May 2026)" reference guides on our portal, or hop onto the to see how these choices align with your future physical therapy career goals!

Post-Graduation: Making Loan Repayment Easy

You shouldn't let the fear of future debt hold you back from your career goals. As a DPT graduate, you will have access to unique paths that can significantly lower, or completely wipe out, your student debt.

Navigate Employer-Sponsored Loan Repayment

Because physical therapists are in high demand, many clinical networks offer massive financial incentives to new hires to help them pay down their student loans:

• Scholars Network: This program connects ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ students directly with health system partners. If you participate, you are guaranteed a full-time job after graduation, and the employer will pay off a significant portion of your student loans during your work commitment. Best of all, if your plans change and you can't fulfill the commitment, you don't owe anything back to the employer. Learn more at.
• CLASP: This program matches physical therapy students with future employers who will contribute up to $60,000 directly toward your student loans. Visit.
• Professional Physical Therapy: Offers a sign-on bonus setup valued at roughly $27,000. New hires can choose to have the company pay up to $5,000 per year (for 4 years) directly to their student loans on a tax-free basis. See details at.
• Elite Therapy Solutions: Offers an integrated residency program where a portion or even all of your 3rd-year tuition can be covered in the form of a forgivable loan if you contract to work with them. Check out.
• Other Clinical Options: You can explore similar educational assistance programs through and.
• The Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program: This program matches physical therapists with health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. In exchange for a 2-year service commitment, the program will pay up to $50,000 directly toward your qualified student loans.  See details at 
• Multiple states have programs to help address healthcare provider workforce shortages.  For example, North Carolina offers a Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) program which includes physical therapy programs.  Search for opportunities within your individual state.  

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

If you choose to work full-time for a government agency or a qualifying non-profit hospital system, your remaining federal student loan balance can be completely forgiven, tax-free, after you make 120 qualifying monthly payments.

Many of our graduates utilize this program by working at major non-profit healthcare networks right here in the Lehigh Valley, including:

Free Tools to Build Your Borrowing Plan

Take control of your finances before classes start by playing around with these interactive, user-friendly simulators:

• : Type in your expected starting PT salary and see exactly what your monthly loan payments would look like under different payment plans.
• ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ Financial Literacy Resources: Access local resources to help you learn about budgeting, interest accumulation, and smart borrowing habits.

Need Help? Let’s Talk!

You don't have to figure this out alone. If you or your family have questions about your specific financial aid package, billing statements, or housing options, please reach out to our Admissions Student Experience Mentor, Bridget Masterson at mastersonb@moravian.edu.