Cost & Aid
Refunds
100% of semester tuition and fees are due at the beginning of the semester. Fees paid directly to the University are nonrefundable.
Refund Timeline Per Semester
| Before Classes Begin | 100% |
| During 1st Week* | 100% |
| After 1st Week | 0% |
*Prior to the end of the drop/add period
Gradaute Assistantship
A limited number of assistantships are typically available to DPT students. Those selected for these positions are assigned to a faculty mentor to assist in his/her research and/or teaching. Graduate Assistants will be selected from interested students by individual faculty members based on availability and student’s prior performance in the curriculum. Additionally, a limited number of work study positions are available at the Writing Center.
Scholarships
The PT Department has established “The Charleston Southern University Department of Physical Therapy Service and Leadership Funded Scholarship.” This is awarded to DPT students that demonstrate outstanding service and leadership within the community and PT profession. The Pratt Family has established “The Pratt Family Physical Therapy Scholarship” in honor and support of Pratt Physical Therapy clinic located in Ladson, South Carolina. This scholarship is awarded to a well-rounded DPT student from a resident of the Tri-County area.
Explanation of Costs & Other Requirements:
Background Check & Urine Drug Screen
- All students are required to complete a background check and urine drug screen prior to matriculation, and at the request of the program if necessary. The expenses associated with these tests are the responsibility of the student.
Textbooks & Resources
- Many textbooks required for the program will be available online through Access Medicine and at no additional charge to enrolled students. Access Medicine, UpToDate, PubMed, and Medline will be available online electronic medical resources to students enrolled in the PA Program.
Each student will be required to purchase textbooks for the program if they are not offered through the above resources. Most of these textbooks will need to be purchased at the onset of the program and will be used throughout the duration of the program. Students can choose to purchase a hard copy of any textbook utilized in our online resources as well but should note the cost of these may not be included in the above estimate.
Laptop
- Each student will be required to purchase and maintain a functional laptop computer through the duration of the program.
Memberships
- Membership into the American Physical Therapy Association is strongly encouraged while a student is in the program.
Cost of Living, Transportation, and Travel Expenses
- Students are responsible for arranging their own housing accommodations, transportation, and any expenses associated with travel to and from campus and to and from clinical rotation experiences. Students may be required to attend rotations at sites outside of the Charleston area and will be responsible for all expenses related to such assignments.
Medical Health Insurance
- All students are required to have health insurance coverage throughout the program. It is the responsibility of the student to adequately research the cost of insurance while in the program as Charleston Southern University does not provide health insurance for students. Students must furnish evidence of having the insurance prior to enrollment and must provide documentation of continued enrollment at the beginning of each academic year. Students are personally liable for all health/medical costs incurred while attending the university.
DPT Student Financial Aid
What Do I Need To Do First?
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1. CREATE YOUR FSA ID
An FSA ID is a username and password that you can use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. If you do not have an FSA ID, we recommend creating your FSA ID as soon as possible —even before you’re ready to complete the FAFSA form—to avoid delays in the process. To complete an FSA ID now: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid. Please be advised that you may have to wait up to three days before your FSA ID is available for use.
2. VISIT WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV
To complete your FAFSA using your FSA ID.
3. USE YOUR TAX RECORDS
Complete the appropriate FAFSA Form – Please make sure to use the correct year for your tax information.
What Happens Next?
Once the Financial Aid Office has your FAFSA and you have been accepted into the program, they will create an award letter for you and will be mailed to the address we have on file for you.
The award letter will contain your financial aid information, any missing documents you will need to provide and message specific to your awards.
Which Types of Federal Student Aid Can I Receive?
- The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program—This is the largest federal student loan program. Under this program, ED is your lender rather than a bank or other financial institution. There are two types of Direct Loans that graduate and professional degree students may receive: Direct Unsubsidized Loans—Eligible students may borrow up to $20,500 per school year. Loans must be divided evenly between semesters. You will need to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note and Direct Loan Entrance Interview to receive your loans. This can be done by visiting www.studentloans.gov. You will need your FSA ID and password to log into this site.
- Direct PLUS Loans—Eligible graduate and professional degree students who need to borrow more than the maximum unsubsidized loan amounts to meet their education costs may apply for a PLUS loan. A credit check will be performed during the application process. Loans must be divided evenly between semesters. These loans cannot exceed your cost of attendance. You will need to complete a Direct PLUS Master Promissory Note. This can be done by visiting www.studentloans.gov. You will need your FSA ID and password to log into this site.
- Private Loans – Private lenders offer loans to assist in the cost of higher education minus other financial aid. These loans are credit-based and the terms and conditions vary from lender to lender. These loans cannot exceed your cost of attendance.
- Sallie Mae Smart Loan – www.salliemae.com
- Wells Fargo Private Loan – www.wellsfargo.com/student
- Palmetto Assistance Loan – www.scstudentloan.org
- Discover Student Loans – www.discover.com/student-loans
- Suntrust Education Loans – www.suntrusteducation.com
- Union Federal Savings Bank – www.unionfederalstudentloans.com
- Scholarship Searches – Unfortunately, Charleston Southern does not have scholarships available at the graduate level to assist students. We do have a list of scholarship searches for students to visit:
- Brokescholar.com
- Collegeboard.com
- Fastweb.com
- Studentaid.ed.gov