Surge Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Rizing Tide

Award Overview

Rizing Tide awards the Surge scholarship annually to graduating physical therapy students or licensed physical therapists from historically underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds who are entering an accredited residency program. The program supports recipients as they transition into advanced clinical training by providing funds that are paid directly to the residency provider. Awards target candidates entering ABPTRFE-accredited residencies within the United States. The foundation administers multiple scholarships each year, including general residency awards and a dedicated award for an EMG/NCV residency.

Description: The Surge scholarship supports underrepresented candidates pursuing accredited PT residencies by providing one-time financial awards paid to the residency program to offset residency expenses.

• Annual program focused on diversity and residency access
• Awards paid directly to residency providers
• Supports entry into ABPTRFE-accredited U.S. residencies

Scholarship Details

Rizing Tide funds four residency scholarships each year: three general Surge scholarships and one full scholarship for a specified electrodiagnostic residency. The three Surge scholarships are available for any ABPTRFE-accredited residency program in the U.S. The dedicated electrodiagnostic scholarship is for Hands-On Diagnostics’s EMG/NCV residency in New York in partnership with the American Academy of Clinical Electrodiagnosis. Neither the Surge scholarships nor the HODS/AACE award are renewable.

Award Value: Three Surge scholarships provide a one-time payment of up to $10,000 each, paid directly to the residency program to cover tuition, room and board, or fees. The HODS/AACE electrodiagnostic residency scholarship covers the full program cost, totaling $42,250.

• Three Surge awards: up to $10,000 each
• One HODS/AACE award: $42,250 full tuition coverage
• Awards are one-time and non-renewable

Eligibility

Applicants must meet academic, demographic, and enrollment criteria to be considered for any Rizing Tide residency scholarship. Eligibility focuses on candidates from underrepresented racial and/or ethnic backgrounds who have completed an accredited PT education and who plan to enroll in a U.S. residency. Applicants must maintain good standing through the residency period and meet citizenship or DACA requirements. GPA and residency accreditation requirements are applied to ensure readiness for advanced clinical training.

Eligibility:

• Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program
• Self-identify as from an underrepresented racial and/or ethnic background (examples include American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern/North African, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, or multi-ethnic with ≥50% representation)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in the PT program
• Plan to attend an ABPTRFE-accredited PT residency program in the U.S.
• U.S. citizen or DACA status
• Remain in good standing until residency completion

• Eligibility combines academic, demographic, and legal criteria
• Residency must be ABPTRFE-accredited and located in the U.S.
• Applicants must maintain good standing through the residency

Application Process

Applicants submit a single application and must provide required written materials, official transcripts, evidence of residency acceptance, and references. Partial submissions are accepted before all documents are available, but the application remains incomplete until all materials are received. Technical support is available on business days and applicants are advised to submit early to avoid issues that could prevent timely completion. Hard-copy letters of recommendation are accepted by mail, or recommenders may email digital copies to the foundation.

Application Timeline and Requirements:

• Three 500-word essays
• One official transcript
• One acceptance letter from the residency program
• Two letters of recommendation (digital or mailed)
• All materials must be received by 11:59 PM Pacific on the specified deadline

• Incomplete applications remain ineligible until all documents are received
• Technical support: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Pacific Time
• Early submission is strongly recommended

Selection Process

A selection committee known as the Beachcombers reviews applications and conducts interviews with finalists via Zoom. Interviews occur within a few weeks of the application deadline, and final awardees are notified no later than 60 days after the deadline. The committee evaluates submitted materials, interviews, and alignment with the scholarship’s mission to support underrepresented clinicians entering residencies. Recipients are selected based on the committee’s assessment of readiness, potential, and fit for residency training.

Notification Timeline: Final winners will be notified by no later than 60 days after the application deadline following finalist interviews conducted by the Beachcombers selection committee.

• Finalist interviews conducted via Zoom
• Winners notified within 60 days of the deadline
• Selection based on application materials and interview performance

Contact and Submission Address

Questions and recommendation letters can be submitted electronically or by mail. Email submissions for letters of recommendation should be sent to the foundation’s applications address. Mailed letters should be addressed to the foundation with the scholarship reference to ensure proper processing. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials, digital or hard copy, are received by the deadline.

Contact: Email letters of recommendation to [email protected]. Mail hard-copy letters to:

Rizing Tide Foundation
RE: Crest Scholarship, PO Box 32681, Phoenix, AZ 85064

• Email recommenders may send letters to [email protected]
• Mailed letters should reference "RE: Crest Scholarship"
• Ensure all materials arrive by the application deadline