EMPOWERED ENGAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP
About the Scholarship
The Empowered Engagement Scholarship recognizes second-year PT and PTA students who exemplify the spirit of service, leadership, and advocacy within their communities and the physical therapy profession. This scholarship honors students who have gone beyond the classroom—those who have actively participated in or contributed to initiatives that empower others, strengthen community well-being, and elevate the role of physical therapy.
Whether through volunteerism, professional engagement, mentorship, grassroots advocacy, program development, or innovative service projects, recipients demonstrate a commitment to making a meaningful impact. The Empowered Engagement Scholarship celebrates students who not only lead, but also inspire—lifting others up, advancing the profession, and helping build a healthier, more engaged Illinois.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be current Illinois student PT or PTA members in good standing with the APTA/IPTA.
- Be in good academic standing and currently enrolled in a PT/PTA program (not limited to Illinois schools).
- Be in their second year of the program.
- Submit a complete application by the deadline (January 31, 2026).
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following in a single PDF document to aconnolly@ipta.org by January 31, 2026:
- Completed cover sheet (downloadable) with contact information and demographic data.
- List of empowerment and engagement-related experiences and activities..
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Personal essays (maximum 400 words each) outlining the following:
- participation and/or contributions in empowerment and engagement in the community and/or the physical therapy profession
- how activities and participation and/or contribution in empowerment and engagement-related activities impacted the community.
- the impact of empowerment and engagement-related participation, contributions, and/or experiences on their personal and professional growth.
- future professional commitment and goals related to empowerment and engagement.
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Two letters of recommendation:
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Faculty or CI Letter of Recommendation that verifies participation and/or contributions in empowerment and engagement-related activities during the PT/PTA program
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Other Letter of Recommendation from a professional source that verifies participation and/or contributions in empowerment and engagement-related activities.
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One statement verifying good academic standing from academic program director or program chair
Selection and Award Process
Completed applications will be independently scored by a selection panel of reviewers not affiliated with any PT or PTA program attended by the applicants.
Selected recipients will be notified by March 1, 2026. Recipients will be recognized during the 2026 IPTA Virtual Assembly of Representatives and in IPTA publications. Checks will be mailed upon acceptance.
Award Details
PT students receive a one-time $1,000 stipend, and PTA students receive $500. All recipients also receive one-time funding for APTA/IPTA membership renewal.
