Members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) are applauding President Bush for signing into law the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HR 4137), which amends and extends the Higher Education Act of 1965.
HR 4137 allows PTs who provide care to children, adolescents, and veterans to be eligible for up to $10,000 over 5 years in authorized student loan-repayment programs.
"Because of the extensive education and clinical training required to become a physical therapist, students often begin their careers with significant levels of debt," said R Scott Ward, PT, PhD, and president of APTA. "Relieving some of that financial burden and bringing more physical therapists to clinically underserved communities will provide lasting benefits for years to come."
Provisions of the final conference agreement on HR 4137 will help PTs participate in an existing program that offers help with repayment of student loans to health care professionals who provide services to specific patient populations. The initiative is separate from the National Health Service Corp loan repayment program that is the focus of the Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act (S 2485/HR 1134).
