Scholarships
We realize that decisions about selecting a college and paying for a college education present tough choices to American families. Our system of higher education is big, diverse, and full of opportunity, but making good decisions about college requires information and preparation. One must utilize all resources that are available to them. Therefore, we attempt to give you as much information as we possibly can to help you plan for your educational and financial undertaking. Listed below are some of the many resources and types of financial aid that you will find available to you here at the University of Michigan-Flint.
The Physical Therapy Department is proud of their scholarship opportunities within the department. They include:
Coleman J. and Lois R. Ross Scholarship
The Coleman J. Ross, Jr. and Lois R. Ross Scholarship Fund was established by Mr. and Mrs. Ross in 1986 with a gift to The Campaign for Michigan. Mr. and Mr. Ross have added to the original amount several times. The income from this fund is designated to provide scholarship assistance to student of the University of Michigan-Flint who are pursuing an education in the field of physical therapy.
Virginia Wilson Memorial Scholarship
The Virginia Wilson Memorial Scholarship was established by the faculty and staff of the Physical Therapy Department in 1999 in memory of the physical therapy educational program founding director, Miss Virginia Wilson. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize students with outstanding potential to make a meaningful contribution to the profession. The income from the endowment fund will provide scholarship assistance to students who have been admitted to the professional preparation program at the University of Michigan-Flint.
Ralph M. and Emmalyn E. Freeman Scholarship
The estate of former Federal Judge Ralph M. Freeman and his wife, Emmalyn Ellis Freeman, provided a very generous gift to the University of Michigan-Flint; their gift has provided for the establishment of several scholarship endowments at the University. Former Federal Judge Ralph Freeman and his wife Emmalyn lived in Flint for several years and then moved to Bloomfield Hills in 1954, following his appointment by President Eisenhower to the federal bench. Judge Freeman worked in General Motors factories in Flint while attending UM Ann Arbor, and earned a law degree in 1926 from UM Ann Arbor Law School. He practiced law in Flint, and served as prosecutor of the City of Flint. He continued to hear court cases until after his 87th birthday. Emmalyn Freeman was employed for a time in the medical department of one of the General Motors factories. She was a noted horsewoman, and member of several social and civic organizations. The Freemans were very active in local, state and national political events associated with the Republican party throughout their lives.
Wendy Frost LaFontaine Scholarship
The Wendy Frost-LaFontaine Memorial Scholarship in Physical Therapy was established in 1983 by the family and friends of Wendy Frost LaFontaine, who died in January, 1980 while a staff physical therapist at St. Joseph Hospital, Flint, MI. The scholarship will assist students of exceptional merit in the professional preparation program in physical therapy at UM-Flint to complete the terminal portions of the clinical education program.
Ernestine R. Smith Scholarship
Dr. Ernestine R. Smith has established the Ernestine R. Smith, Ph.D., MPH Physical Therapy Scholarship to assist UM-Flint physical therapy students who have established an outstanding record of success in their pursuit of higher education, and who have demonstrated commitment to the practice of physical therapy and patient care. Dr. Smith earned her Physical Therapy Certification from the University of Iowa, and the Master of Public Health degree and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Her career involvement of 40 years in physical therapy includes working in hospitals, nursing homes, and in special education settings, with concentration on direct services delivery as well as supervision. Her volunteer work includes membership on the UM-Flint's Citizens Advisory Committee (2001-2005), and the Hurley Medical Center Human Resources and Education Committee; she currently holds memberships in numerous professional organizations.
David Potter Physical Therapy Memorial Scholarship Fund
The David Potter Memorial Scholarship was established by David's classmates from his graduating class of 1999, family and friends in memory of David, a non-traditional Physical Therapy Student who received his undergraduate degree in Health Sciences and his graduate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan-flint with honors. David left a positive mark on many of his fellow physical therapy classmates. His patients thought of him as knowledgeable and compassionate in his health care delivery. He encouraged family, friends and colleagues to pursue higher education to better serve our community and others. David had a significant impact in the field of Physical Therapy changing the lives of many patients and will now have a legacy of transforming the lives of future physical therapy students with the memorial scholarship in his name.
Jane Eileen Murdock Memorial Scholarship
The Jane Eileen Murdock Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 in memory of Jane Eileen Murdock-a 1973 graduate of the University of Michigan Physical Therapy Program who passed away June 22, 2008. Jane Murdock's legacy was to have served the physical therapy profession as both a gifted clinician and skilled administrator. Throughout her professional career, Jane Murdock's exceptional ability to relate to and meet the needs of her patients exemplified the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) core values of altruism, compassion/caring, excellence, and social responsibility. As as administrator she was able to mentor many your therapists and help them learn the values and satisfaction from service to the larger public good. Further, Jane Murdock recognized the value of participation at different levels within the Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA) and APTA and how it helped to advance the field of Physical Therapy. She took pleasure in assuming different responsibilities within these associations. Finally, Jane Murdock recognized the value of giving back to her academic home. This scholarship is just one example of her dedication to supporting the students, faculty and staff of the University of Michigan. This scholarship was established as an honor to the legacy of jane Murdock as a gifted physical therapist who mentored many therapists and contributed significantly to the field of physical therapy through her mahy contributions of service to the APTA and MPTA. The Jane Eileen Murdock Memorial Scholarship is intended to recognize students who have the potential of making a contribution to the profession of physical therapy and who are dedicated to serving in different voluntary capacities that demonstrate commitment in advancement of physical therapy. The income from the endowment fund will provide scholarship assistance to students who have been admitted to the physical therapy professional preparation program at the University of Michigan-Flint.
The Paulette Kondela Cebulski Physical Therapy Scholarship Fund
In 2006, after over 30 years of service to the University, Paulette Kondela Cebulski, PT, Ph.D., entered retirement. Dr. Cebulski began her career with the University of Michigan in 1973 as a Physical Therapy faculty member in Ann Arbor. She served as the Director of the program, in Flint, from 1994-2006.
Dr. Cebulski's dedication to students was not only evident in the classroom, but also as a mentor and friend. As Director, she was acutely aware of the financial needs of students. As a quiet hero, she helped students in need in many ways. She did this without fanfare - without recognition.
With the needs of the students in mind, Dr. Cebulski allowed for the establishment of this need-based Physical Therapy student scholarship in her honor. In this way, she has left a last legacy that will help students in need...forever.
In addition to other scholarships and grants available from UM-F, graduate student scholarships and grants are available for students who qualify for them by meeting their criteria. They include:
Carl & Sarah Morgan Graduate Student Scholarship
Esther C. Stone Graduate Student Scholarship
Graduate Student Grants
For further information on Graduate Student Financial Aid available at the University of Michigan-Flint, choose the link on the right side of this page.