Physical Therapy - Financial Aid

Most students need financial assistance to fund graduate education. This page will give you some of the basics of borrowing money to fund your studies in the DPT program. You can find additional information on the web or by contacting the Financial Aid Office at Rockhurst at 816-501-4600.

“Cost of Education”
Students are eligible to borrow enough money each year to cover the “Total Cost of Education.” This is the sum of tuition and fees plus an estimate for books, room & board, transportation and personal living expenses. Although it is possible to borrow up to the cost of education, we strongly encourage you to borrow only as much as you absolutely need to fund your education  to limit debt, if possible.

Be Smart – Be Frugal – Plan Ahead
Our Financial Aid Office encourages students to borrow loans responsibily and take as little loans as possible. We encourage students to think ahead about how much they will have to budget each month after graduation to make loan payments. Web sites like studentaid.gov have calculators to help estimate monthly payments as long as you know:

  • How much money you have (or will have) borrowed
  • How many years you will have to pay off your loan(s) (typically anywhere from 10-25 years)
  • How often you will make payments on your loan(s) (typically monthly)
  • What interest rate you will pay on your loan amount(s)

Student Loans
Graduate students typically borrow money to support their education through federal and privae loan programs, including the following.

  • Federal Grad PLUS Loan, also called a Graduate PLUS loan, is a federal student loan available to graduate and professional school students. For information on federal loans go to U.S. Department of Education:  studentaid.gov
  • Federal Direct Loans are available once the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been completed. You will need to submit a FAFSA so that Rockhurst can verify that you are eligible for financial aid. You can start the process online at studentaid.gov.
  • Paid Work Study - graduate students may qualify for work-study funds upon request.
  • Private student Loans are available through different banks and lenders. Students are advised to research potential lenders carefully. Private loan approval and interest rates are based on credit score. Students can search our preferred lender list online or use any lender of their choosing. 
  • To summarize, as a graduate student, you are eligible for up to $20,500 per academic year with a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan as long as you are enrolled at least half 
    time (4.5 hours for fall and spring; 3 hours for summer). 
  • For an additional loan, graduate students are eligible to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate Plus loan at www.studentaid.gov. Application for Summer 2023 is available after May 1st and Fall 2023-Spring 2024 are available after July 1st. 
  • For information about private loans, please visit elmselect.com. 
  • You may also bring your own scholarship to Rockhurst. 

How to apply for aid?

PREPARE

  • Start the process early.
  • Research additional aid opportunities and search for scholarships. 
  • Know your deadlines and don't procrastinate.

APPLY

  • File your 2022-2023 FAFSA for summer 2023. (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa)
  • File your 2023-2024 FAFSA for the academic year fall 2023-summer 2024 (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa) 
  • Apply for any outside scholarships and/or aid. 
  • Return any requested documents as soon as possible to avoid delays. 

AWARD

  • After receiving your FAFSA data, your school will notify you of what aid you have been offered by mail. Subsequent communication will be done through your RU email.
  • Review your offer and accept or decline your aid. 
  • First-time loan borrowers are required to complete Direct Loan Processes IMPN and loan counseling) and annual student loan acknowledgment at www.studentloans.gov.

DISBURSE

  • Once you have completed all the required steps, the school will disburse your financial aid prior to the start of the program. 
  • If you are receiving a refund, you will receive those funds within 14 days after your aid has disbursed to your student account. 

MAINTAIN

  • Adhere to instructions from the financial aid office. 

REPAY

  • Communicate with your loan servicerlsl; keep your contact information up-to-date and discuss repayment options with them. 
  • Remain in good standing on your loans.

Find Out More 
Office of Admission and Financial Aid 
1100 Rockhurst Road 
Kansas City, MO 64110 

financialaid@rockhurst.edu
(816) 501-4600