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Tuition & Scholarships

Tuition

Visit the Chicago Financial Aid site for full information regarding tuition, fees and other expenses related to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

Financial Aid

Northwestern University's primary objective in providing financial assistance is to ensure that students with financial need will not be denied enrollment due to a lack of financial resources. Financial aid is offered to students needing assistance beyond that which they and their families can provide. Financial status has no bearing on the admissions process. The Department of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences is committed to making the cost of education manageable for students of all income levels. Many physical therapy students receive financial aid from a variety of sources, including government-funded loan programs, institutional and/or other loan educational programs. 

The Office of Financial Aid on Northwestern University’s Chicago campus serves the educational financing needs of all students enrolled in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more.

New students begin the financial aid application process after receiving an admission offer and committing to enroll at Northwestern.

Scholarships

In addition to loans, there are several scholarships available to qualified enrolling students who meet specific criteria. 

The scholarship application for DPT applicants planning to enroll in the fall is due by December 10th. A link to the scholarship application form will be provided upon receipt of an admission offer.

Admission offers will be made from October through December, and scholarship winners will be notified in early January, so you may or may not know your final admission status before applying for scholarships.

Scholarship applications are separate from the PTCAS admission application. Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships but may only receive one award. Scholarships are one-time awards, and funds may only be applied to Northwestern University DPT tuition and fees. 

 Early Decision Scholarship

Eligible applicants must have applied and been admitted under the Early Decision application process and provide evidence of leadership potential in clinical practice, education, research or advocacy. 

 Merit Scholarship

Eligible applicants must have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or greater at time of application and provide evidence of leadership potential in clinical practice, education, research or advocacy. 

 Janet L. Hemzacek Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1992 to honor the memory of Janet L. Hemzacek, a 1982 physical therapy graduate. The scholarship was established by Janet’s family and is intended to recognize Northwestern University physical therapy students who demonstrate a sense of integrity and humanity and an involvement with the community through volunteer activity. 

 Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2012 by David Brown, PT, PhD, and department faculty to further our mission of achieving an environment of belonging and inclusion for all. We strive to achieve a student body that is representative of the many ethnicities, cultures and groups that we serve as physical therapists. In doing so, we value the unique characteristics, traits experiences and skills that individuals with diverse backgrounds bring to the classroom and eventually to the clinic and the profession. The department believes that a diverse student body will help enrich the social and cultural climate resulting in an inclusive environment supportive of individual and group differences.

This award recognizes a student who demonstrates leadership potential and commitment to promoting diversity, tolerance, inclusion and belonging within the Department of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences and who strives to promote outreach and service to the community through a focus on underserved communities, social justice and health disparities. Recipients of this award will be known as Diversity Scholars and will serve on the student and faculty Diversity Committees for the two years they are involved in didactic coursework. Service on these committees includes helping develop outreach opportunities and providing leadership within the department.

 Alumni Scholarship

This award was established in 2014 by the Northwestern University Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences Alumni Association (NUPTAA) to further our mission of facilitating a collegial relationship among our physical therapy graduates and promoting continued interest in, communication with and support of physical therapy education programs at Northwestern University. In doing so, we value the collaboration of alumni, the department and current students to continue the growth and development of the physical therapy profession.

The NUPTAA aims to support the department by developing the next leaders in our profession through continuing education, collaboration with faculty and peers and networking with current leaders. This award is intended to recognize a student who demonstrates outstanding written communication skills and an enthusiastic willingness to engage  alumni in face-to-face and phone conversation. The student will demonstrate leadership and commitment to promoting alumni events, contribute ideas for improving engagement with current alumni and attract interest of the alumni community through frequent communication of alumni events and news. These goals will be achieved through communication with alumni via electronic newsletters, event promotion, social media site management and collaboration with  board members. Recipients of this award will be known as Alumni Scholars and will serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors for the two years they are involved in didactic coursework.

 Sally C. Edelsberg Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1999 to honor Sally C. Edelsberg, PT, MS, FAPTA, director of programs in physical therapy at Northwestern University from 1972 to 1999. Throughout her career, Sally demonstrated superior leadership in the physical therapy profession. She is particularly noted for educational leadership and was dedicated to the goal of providing students with the opportunity for an education in physical therapy at Northwestern, regardless of financial circumstances. This scholarship is intended to recognize students who demonstrate leadership potential in the profession of physical therapy. Recipients of the scholarship are known as Edelsberg Scholars.

 Edna Foster Wright Scholarship

The Edna Foster Wright Scholarship was established in 2018 by the Edna Foster Wright Family Foundation and is intended to recognize an incoming Northwestern University physical therapy student who provides evidence of community involvement through volunteer activity and potential and commitment to a career working with underserved populations.

 Jack Lageschulte and Wendy Lageschulte Physical Therapy Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1987 by Wendy Martin Lageschulte (a 1964 graduate) and Jack Lageschulte to honor Elizabeth C. Wood, PT, MS, and Dorothy E. Voss, PT, for their many contributions to the physical therapy education program at Northwestern University and to the profession. Wood joined the faculty in 1950 and served as director of programs in physical therapy from 1952 to 1972. Voss was a faculty member from 1963 to 1975 and was known internationally for her work in the area of therapeutic exercise. The purpose of this award is to recognize students who reflect their ideals of professionalism and high standards and who demonstrate the potential for contributing significantly to the profession. 

 Mark and Mary Ann Kaufman Scholars

The Mark and Mary Ann Kaufman Scholars Program is funded by the Kaufman Enrichment Fund, thanks to a generous donation from Mark and Mary Ann Kaufman. The recipient will be chosen from the early decision applicants.

 Robert Babbs, Jr. PT Diversity Scholarship

Robert Babbs, Jr., a 1957 graduate of Northwestern University Physical Therapy and the Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award 2020, demonstrated a career commitment to service, to the betterment of his community, and the betterment of our profession. Mr. Babbs has been a champion for minority physical therapists, helping to broaden the spectrum of clinicians in Chicago and throughout the country. The Robert Babbs, Jr. Diversity Scholarship was established in 2020 and is awarded to one incoming student who demonstrates commitment to diversity and inclusion and a vision for leadership in this area of physical therapy. 

 Philip A. Hageman Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established in 2022 to honor the memory of Phil Hageman ’21 PTF, an inaugural member of the post-professional orthopedic fellowship program at PTHMS. The scholarship was established by Phil’s family and friends and is intended to support post-professional students that embody Phil’s love of life, practice, and teaching.

 Wendell G. Venerable Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established in 2021 to honor the memory of Wendell G. Venerable FSM’57. Mr. Venerable was a trailblazer in physical therapy who devoted his life to his patients, his profession, and family. The fund was established by his wife, Mrs. Shirley Venerable, and supported by friends and fellow graduates.

 Francis Angelo Scholarship

The Francis Angelo scholarship was established in 2024 to propel the advancement of the physical therapy profession. This scholarship honors and celebrates physical therapist student leaders who will shape the future of physical therapy in education, research and clinical practice. Recipients of the Francis Angelo scholarship embody a visionary spirit, poised to champion the physical therapy profession and drive its evolution forward through excellence, advocacy, and innovation.

Outside Scholarships

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