Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, numerous scholarships have been established to benefit students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Award amounts vary yearly based on market performance. Amounts indicated below reflect the minimum amount that will be awarded during this application cycle. Applications for the 2023 UAB DPT scholarships will open in Fall Semester 2023.

Deadline for Fall Applications is Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 10:00 pm CST.

Adams Denton Sponsored Scholarship for Physical Therapy Clinical Education

A generous gift from an anonymous donor established this award for UAB DPT students participating in full time clinical education experiences. The award was named in honor of two Emeritus PT faculty members, Cara Adams and Betty Denton. The award is intended to support costs associated with participation in full time clinical education experiences (e.g., travel expenses, room and board, and other school related expenses).

• Eligible applicants: Current 1st or 2nd year students
• Selection: Based on solid academic promise; GPA > 3.0, and financial need
• Awarded: Spring Semester 2024 ($500-$1,000)

Barnes Family Endowed Scholarship

The Barnes Family Endowed Scholarship in Physical Therapy was established in 2019 by Rocky and Amelia Barnes who are both alumni of the UAB Physical Therapy program. Amelia is a graduate of the Class of 1981 while Rocky is a graduate of the Class of 1979. Rocky is a Co-Founder of PT Solutions and currently sits on the Board of Directors. Both Rocky and Amelia have worked in various capacities at PT Solutions since the early years of the company’s inception.

• Eligible applicants: Incoming and current 1st year students
• Selection: Based on financial need, leadership skills/potential, and merit
• Awarded: Spring and Summer semesters 2024 ($1,500 per semester)

Encompass Health Corporation Endowed Scholarship

The Encompass Health Corporation Endowed Scholarship was established in 1991 to provide financial assistance to deserving physical therapy students. Encompass Health also offers incredible learning opportunities for students through clinical education experiences and internships.

• Eligible applicants: Incoming DPT students who are Alabama residents
• Selection: Based on academic merit and financial need
• Awarded: Spring Semester 2024 to two students ($3,000 to each recipient)

Encompass Health Corporation Endowed Scholars Fund for Diversity in Rehabilitation Sciences

The Encompass Health Corporation Endowed Scholars Fund for Diversity in Rehabilitation Sciences is an academic scholarship that is awarded to a student(s) in the first or second year of the PT or OT program.

• Eligible applicants: Current 1st and 2nd year students who are Alabama residents; come from a disadvantaged background; minimum GPA of 3.25
• Selection: Based on academic merit and past academic success; desire to meet the healthcare needs of underrepresented populations; ability of the applicant to bring diversity to the profession; financial need. Two letters of recommendation are required (DPT faculty, PT clinician, community resource)
• Awarded: Spring Semester 2024 ($3,000)

Steve and Jana Foster Endowed Scholarship 

The Stephen and Jana Foster Endowed Scholarship in Physical Therapy provides support to students who demonstrate financial need and solid academic promise and achievement. Preference will be given to underrepresented students to support the Department’s goal of promoting a diverse student body.

• Eligible applicants: Incoming students, current 1st and 2nd year students
• Selection: Based on financial need, academic merit, preference given to students from under-represented groups
• Awarded: Spring and Summer semesters 2024 ($500 per semester)

Cecilia Graham Endowed Scholarship

Friends and colleagues of Dr. Cecilia Graham made generous gifts for the purpose of creating a scholarship in her memory. Dr. Graham had a passion for physical therapy education and service. She was a creative teacher and a lifelong learner who was never afraid to try new ideas in order to better reach and further educate her students. She will be remembered for the difference she made both here at UAB and in the physical therapy profession. It is most fitting this scholarship will be awarded in perpetuity to students, who like Dr. Graham, highly value and wish to participate in professional development opportunities.

• Eligible applicants: Current 1st and 2nd year students
• Selection: Based on merit and financial need
• Awarded: Following continuing education opportunity and submission of receipts ($500 awarded to one student)

Debra Jayne Endowed Scholarship for Physical Therapy Students

The Debra Jayne Endowed Scholarship for Physical Therapy Students was established in 2022 through a generous donation that attests to the donor’s abiding interest in the University of Alabama at Birmingham and their appreciation for scholarship funding they received while attending the University. Debra Jayne is a graduate of the UAB PT program and a member of the class of 1978.

• Eligible applicants: Current 1st and 2nd year DPT students
• Selection: Based on solid academic promise/achievement, at least a 3.0 GPA, and financial need
• Awarded: Fall 2023 to 2 students ($1,500 to each recipient)
• Fall Application: Closed

Shirley A. Shaddeau Memorial Endowed Scholarship

The Shirley Shaddeau Memorial Scholarship endowment was established through a generous gift from Sue Shaddeau to honor the memory of her sister, Shirley Shaddeau, and her dedication to the profession of physical therapy. The fund has continued to receive additional contributions from family, alumni, and friends. Shirley was associated with the Department of Physical Therapy for 23 years and at the time of her sudden and unexpected death in 1995 was an Associate Professor. She was a devoted and gentle educator; she was a positive and supportive person who challenged her students to focus on the process of learning, not just exams or grades. Her beautiful legacy includes the impact that she had on the physical therapy profession, School of Health Professions, her students, her colleagues, and so many others.

• Eligible applicants: Current 2nd year students
• Selection: Based on academic merit, financial need, and evidence the student recognizes the importance of providing compassionate care
• Awarded: Spring 2024 ($3,000)

Sharon E. Shaw Endowed Scholarship

The Sharon E. Shaw Endowed Scholarship provides financial assistance to students with a talent for and desire to provide physical therapy services to underserved populations. The scholarship was established to honor Sharon E. Shaw, PT, DrPH for her contributions to UAB, the community, and the physical therapy profession. Sharon first came to UAB in 1971. In 1999, she became chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and served in this role until her retirement in 2013. After a brief illness, Sharon passed away in January 2016, and while we will miss her, the impact that she had on the physical therapy profession, the School of Health Professions, her students, her colleagues, and so many others, remains as a legacy.

• Eligible applicants: Current 1st and 2nd year students
• Selection: Based on academic promise, potential for completing the DPT program, financial need, passion and aptitude for community service
• Awarded: Spring 2024 ($1,500)

TherapySouth Sponsored Scholarship

TherapySouth is a steadfast clinical education partner. The company established the scholarship to assist students with long-term clinical education costs.

• Eligible applicants: Current 2nd year students
• Selection: Based on financial need associated with long-term clinical education costs, desire to be an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist after graduation
• Awarded: During Fall Semester of the 2nd year in the program ($3,000)
• Call for applications will be emailed to eligible students during the spring 2024 semester.