Tuition & Scholarships

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.