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
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available to DPT students; up to five per cohort. Students apply at the end of their first semester, and appointments span semesters two through six. Graduate assistants are selected by the Director of Research based on position availability and academic performance, and are assigned to a faculty mentor to support research and/or
teaching activities. Assistantships provide tuition remission of three credit hours per semester, for a total of fifteen credit hours.
A limited number of work-study positions are also available through the
University Writing Center.
Scholarships
The Department of Physical Therapy offers two program-specific scholarships. Both are awarded through nomination to students in their fifth semester; no application is required. Nominations may be submitted by program faculty, clinical instructors, or fellow students. Award amounts and availability are subject to annual review.
- The Pratt Family Physical Therapy Scholarship $7,500, one awarded annually Established by the Pratt family in honor of Pratt Physical Therapy in Ladson, South Carolina, this scholarship is awarded to a well-rounded DPT student who is a resident of the Tri-County area (Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties).
- Department of Physical Therapy Service and Leadership Scholarship $1,000 each, two awarded annually Established by the Department of Physical Therapy, this scholarship recognizes DPT students who demonstrate outstanding service and leadership within the community and the physical therapy profession.
Explanation of Costs & Other Requirements:
Background Check & Urine Drug Screen
All students are required to complete a background prior to matriculation and annually based on individual clinical requirements. Students will be required to complete a Urine Drug Screen prior to their first Integrated Clinical Experience in Fall 1 and subsequently based on individual clinical requirements. 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.
Technology
Each student will be required to purchase and maintain a functional laptop computer through the duration of the program. An iPad will be provided with applicable program apps and resources.
Memberships
Active engagement in the American Physical Therapy Association is strongly encouraged while a student is in the program. 3 years of membership fees will be provided.
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?
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.
When are Loan Refunds Issued to DPT and PA Students?
Loan refunds for PT and PA students are generally issued 7 days prior to the start of classes, provided all financial aid requirements have been completed and funds have been successfully disbursed to the student account.
Refunds are processed through the student refund system, and delivery times may vary depending on the student’s selected refund method. If a student is not signed up for e-refund, a check will be mailed to the address on file.
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