DPT Program Sources of Financial Aid
Federal Direct Loan Programs
Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans
Doctor of Physical Therapy students are eligible to borrow up to $10,250 per term. All graduate students have an aggregate maximum of $138,000 (including undergraduate and graduate Subsidized Federal Direct Loan, Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Student Loans, combined).
Direct Plus Loan
PLUS Loans are federal loans that graduate or professional degree students can use to help pay education expenses. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible borrowers through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program. The borrower must not have an adverse credit history. The maximum loan amount is the student’s cost of attendance (determined by the school) minus any other financial aid received.
Interest Rates for Direct Loans First Disbursed on or After July 1, 2024, and Before July 1, 2025:
| Loan Type | Borrower Type | Fixed Interest Rate |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Graduate or Professional |
8.08 % |
| Direct PLUS Loans |
Parents and Graduate or Professional Students |
9.08 % |
Interest Rates for Direct Loans First Disbursed on or After July 1, 2023, and Before July 1, 2024:
| Loan Type | Borrower Type | Fixed Interest Rate |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Graduate or Professional |
7.05 % |
| Direct PLUS Loans |
Parents and Graduate or Professional Students |
8.05 % |
*Interest not paid while the student is in school may accrue and compound at the time of repayment. Students are encouraged to borrow as little as possible through the Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan and Grad PLUS programs.
Private Loan Programs
The Private Loan Program was designed to assist funding for any student wishing to obtain a non-federal loan. It is not a need based loan and students may borrow the cost of education less amounts received from Federal Direct loans, Federal Direct Graduate/Professional PLUS loans, institutional funds, and/or private funds. Once a private student loan lender has been selected a credit check will be conducted to determine the student's credit worthiness. The interest rate, which begins to accrue when the loan is disbursed to the school, will vary among lenders and may capitalize as often as every 3 months. An origination fee will be deducted from the principal borrowed. This also varies among lenders. Minimum payments may also be required. Students are encouraged to avoid this loan program if at all possible. The nature of the program presents the borrower with the potential of obtaining a severe, and often, unmanageable debt burden.
Additional Sources for Doctor of Physical Therapy Students Scholarships
Non-USF Scholarship Searching Tools:
Fastweb
Big Future: College Scholarship Search