Professional Physical Therapy Launches RISE Program to Help Physical Therapists Repay Student Loans

New RISE Program will provide eligible participants with up to $50,000 in student loan repayment support

MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Professional Physical Therapy today announced a new program designed to help current and future physical therapists overcome one of the profession's most significant barriers: student loan debt.

Through its new Student Loan Repayment Incentive Supporting Employees (RISE) Program, eligible participants can receive up to $50,000 paid toward qualifying student loans over five years of full-time employment with Professional Physical Therapy.

RISE at a Glance

• Up to $50,000 in student loan repayment support over five years of eligible employment
• Payments made directly to qualifying student loan servicers
• Open to licensed physical therapists and DPT students graduating in 2026, 2027 or 2028
• Potential career opportunities throughout Professional Physical Therapy's clinics
• Program availability is limited.

DPT students graduating in 2026, 2027 or 2028 may apply for RISE before graduation, and currently licensed physical therapists may apply as they explore current opportunities with Professional Physical Therapy. For those applicants who meet eligibility criteria, participation begins after they are hired and begin full-time employment with Professional Physical Therapy.

RISE participants can receive payments that increase with each year of full-time employment, up to: $5,000 after the first year, $7,500 after the second, $10,000 after the third, $12,500 after the fourth and $15,000 after the fifth, a total potential benefit of up to $50,000. Payments will be made directly to participants' qualifying student loan servicers by RISE program administrator Clasp.

"At Professional Physical Therapy, we believe the growing financial pressure facing current and future physical therapists demands bold action," said Steve Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of Professional Physical Therapy. "Traditional recruiting incentives are not enough to address the realities clinicians face today. Through RISE, we are making a commitment to help relieve that burden and create a stronger, more accessible path into the profession. To date the company has committed over 6 million dollars to its existing employees through student loan repayments and we are looking to far exceed that number in the future."

"This is a long-term investment in clinicians, their careers and the future of physical therapy," Schneider continued. "We want exceptional physical therapists to know that Professional Physical Therapy understands the financial challenges they face and is prepared to invest in them in a meaningful and lasting way."

The launch of RISE comes at a pivotal moment for the physical therapy profession. Demand for skilled physical therapists continues to rise, while the cost of earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree can leave graduates carrying significant student loan debt. The financial burden associated with entering the profession may influence where clinicians live, which opportunities they pursue, and whether some prospective students can afford to enter the field at all.

Federal student lending reforms that took effect July 1, 2026, generally eliminated Graduate PLUS Loans for new borrowers and introduced new federal borrowing limits, significantly changing how future physical therapists may finance their education. Aspiring clinicians may now face higher out-of-pocket costs and greater reliance on private financing, creating additional barriers to entering a profession already experiencing strong demand for qualified talent.

Applicants must separately apply for an eligible full-time physical therapist position, successfully complete Professional Physical Therapy's standard application and interview process, satisfy all hiring requirements, and be selected by Professional Physical Therapy before enrolling in RISE. Scheduled payments begin after a participant completes the first full year of eligible employment.

"Student loan debt is one of the most significant financial pressures facing today's physical therapists," said Tess Michaels, CEO and Founder of Clasp. "Professional Physical Therapy's commitment translates that concern into meaningful action, with repayment support delivered directly to participants' loan servicers. RISE has the potential to make the path into, and through, the physical therapy profession more financially sustainable."

Applications are now open, and program availability is limited.

DPT students, recent DPT graduates and practicing physical therapists are encouraged to learn more, start their RISE application and explore current career opportunities at Professional Physical Therapy [https://www.professionalpt.com/careers/]. Starting a RISE application and applying for employment with Professional Physical Therapy are separate steps.

About Professional Physical Therapy

Founded in 1999, Professional Physical Therapy is a leading provider of outpatient physical, occupational and hand therapy throughout the Northeast. With more than 200 locations across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Professional Physical Therapy helps patients recover from injury, restore mobility and return to the activities they love. The organization is committed to delivering personalized, evidence-based care while investing in the growth and development of its clinicians. To learn more, visit professionalpt.com.

About Clasp

Clasp helps employers attract and retain clinical talent through employer-sponsored student loan repayment programs. Clasp administers repayment benefits and makes payments directly to participants' qualifying loan servicers on employers' behalf. To learn more, visit clasp.com.

SOURCE Professional Physical Therapy