DPT Program
Sources of Financial Aid
Morsani College of Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
The USF Health Office of Financial Aid provides information and guidance regarding funding options available to students enrolled in the Morsani College of Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
Financial resources may include:
Federal student loans
Scholarships
Private (alternative) loans
External funding opportunities
Funding options and eligibility may vary based on enrollment status, borrowing history, program requirements, and applicable federal regulations.
Planning for Funding Your Education
Graduate and professional students often use a combination of financial resources to help cover educational expenses throughout their program.
Students are encouraged to:
Review financial aid offers carefully
Understand borrowing responsibilities
Develop a long-term financial plan for future academic years
The USF Health Office of Financial Aid is available to assist students in understanding available funding options and the financial aid process.
Important Update (2026–2027 Academic Year)
Federal student loan regulations are changing. These updates may affect:
Federal borrowing limits
Graduate PLUS Loan eligibility
Overall funding options for some graduate and professional students
Federal borrowing eligibility and loan options may vary based on individual circumstances and applicable federal regulations.
Students are encouraged to review financial aid offers carefully and monitor official university communications regarding federal financial aid updates.
Federal Direct Loan Programs
Federal student loans are provided by the U.S. Department of Education and are commonly used by graduate and professional students to help fund educational expenses.
Federal loan eligibility and borrowing limits are determined by federal regulations and may vary based on:
Enrollment status
Borrowing history
Aggregate borrowing limits
Other applicable federal eligibility requirements
-
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible graduate and professional students and are not based on financial need.
Interest begins accruing when the loan is disbursed.
Annual and aggregate loan eligibility may vary based on:
Program classification
Borrowing history
Applicable federal regulations
Students are encouraged to borrow responsibly and review long-term repayment considerations when planning for educational expenses.
-
Graduate PLUS Loans are federal, credit-based loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education to eligible graduate and professional students.
Students who wish to borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan must complete the following requirements through the Federal Student Aid website:
Graduate PLUS Loan Application
Master Promissory Note (MPN)
Graduate PLUS Entrance Counseling
-
Federal regulations may affect Graduate PLUS Loan eligibility for some graduate and professional students.
Eligibility may vary based on:
Enrollment history
Borrowing history
Program eligibility
Applicable federal regulations
Students are encouraged to review financial aid offers carefully and contact the USF Health Office of Financial Aid with questions regarding available borrowing options.
-
Private loans are offered by banks and other private lenders and may be used to help cover educational expenses not met through other financial aid resources.
Private loans are not federal student loans and are subject to individual lender approval and credit requirements.
Students should carefully review the following factors before borrowing a private loan:
Interest rates
Repayment terms
Origination fees
Borrower benefits
Deferment options
Overall repayment responsibilities
Private loan processing timelines may be longer than federal financial aid processing and may require additional time for lender review, credit approval, school certification, and final disbursement.
Students are encouraged to exhaust federal loan eligibility before considering private loan funding options.
-
Students may review available private loan options using ELMSelect.
ELMSelect provides a neutral comparison tool that allows students to:
Compare lenders
Review interest rates and repayment terms
Evaluate available loan products based on individual financial needs
Depending on the lender, programs may appear under categories such as:
Graduate Programs
Health Professions
Medical Programs
The lenders and loan products displayed through ELMSelect are based on historical borrowing usage and lender participation data.
Students are not required to use any lender listed through ELMSelect and may choose any eligible lender of their choice, including lenders not displayed through ELMSelect.
The USF Health Office of Financial Aid does not recommend, endorse, or promote any specific lender or loan product and does not receive financial benefit from lender selection.
Students are encouraged to carefully compare the following before selecting a private loan lender:
Interest rates
Repayment terms
Borrower benefits
Fees
Customer service options
Students are encouraged to exhaust federal loan eligibility before considering private loan funding options.
-
Students applying for private (alternative) loans may use the following commonly used enrollment periods when completing lender applications.
Loan periods are intended to approximate the academic enrollment period for the selected term(s).
Enrollment Period
Loan Period
Fall + Spring
5/11/2026 - 4/30/2027
Fall
5/11/2026 - 12/4/2026
Spring
1/4/2027 - 4/30/2027
Summer
5/10/2027 - 7/16/2027
Students with questions regarding loan application periods should contact the USF Health Office of Financial Aid before submitting a private loan application.
Interest Rates for Direct Loans First Disbursed on or After July 1, 2025, and Before July 1, 2026
Loan Type | Borrower Type | Fixed Interest Rate |
Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Graduate or Professional | 7.94% |
Direct PLUS Loans | Parents and Graduate or Professional Students | 8.94% |
Interest not paid while enrolled may accrue and capitalize at repayment. Students are encouraged to borrow only what is necessary through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Graduate PLUS Loan programs.
Non-USF Scholarship Searching Tools
What This Means for You
Funding options for graduate and professional students may vary based on:
Enrollment
Borrowing history
Federal eligibility requirements
Individual financial circumstances
Students may need to use a combination of financial resources to help cover educational expenses throughout their program.
We encourage students to:
Review financial aid offers carefully
Compare available funding options
Understand long-term borrowing responsibilities
Plan ahead for future academic years
Students with questions regarding eligibility or funding options should contact the USF Health Office of Financial Aid for individualized assistance.