Big Stone Therapies PTA & OTA Scholarship Program - Full Application
In the interest of recruiting high quality employees and to assist Therapy students with their educational pursuits, Big Stone Therapies, Inc. (BST) has developed a scholarship program to help pay a portion of the educational expenses associated with obtaining a degree in Physical Therapy Assistant or Occupational Therapy Assistant (we currently do not have scholarship opportunities for SLPA students). We desire to develop a scholarship relationship with Therapy students who are willing to make an employment commitment to BST following the completion of their Therapy degree. The scholarship amount is currently $2,000.
We have designed this scholarship program to pay scholarship dollars up-front to the recipient to help defray their education expenses. Once the student has graduated, the scholarship converts to a loan. This loan includes a contractual obligation for employment with BST for at least a 2-year period. The loan agreement includes a schedule by which a percentage of the loan is forgiven for each year of employment with BST, up to 2-years, at which time the loan and all accrued interest are fully forgiven.
Parameters of the Scholarship Program:
1. Applicants must first complete the attached application form which must be accompanied by a cover letter detailing your reasons for interest in this program.
2. Applicants will be screened for eligibility and the top candidates will meet with the scholarship committee for further consideration.
3. Scholarship recipients must verify enrollment in an accredited Therapy program prior to disbursement of the Scholarship payment(s).
4. Selected Scholarship recipients must sign an agreement to accept employment with BST upon graduation from the Therapy program or owe back the loan including interest pursuant to the agreement. There will be a separate promissory note for each year that a scholarship payment is given re-confirming continued interest and intent for employment with BST.
5. Forgiveness of the loan will be tiered based on years of employment with BST:
- Employed through 2nd anniversary – Entire loan is forgiven including interest.
- Employed through 1st anniversary – 50% of the loan is forgiven including interest.
- Employed less than 1st anniversary – Owe the entire loan including interest.
- Decline employment, Failure to graduate from a Therapy program, or Failure to obtain License to practice – Owe the entire loan including interest.
Applications must be received by October 1st, 2024 to be eligible. Interviews will take place during the month of October and offers made October 31st, 2024.
Thank you for your interest in our Scholarship program. We hope that we can become a partner in your education as you grow into becoming a member of the BST family. It is our goal to help you grow both personally and professionally into an exceptional Therapist in your chosen field.