Hofstra University Partners with Metro Physical Therapy for $300K Scholarship Program with Job Guarantees

Hofstra University announced a new $300,000 scholarship initiative that combines financial aid with guaranteed employment opportunities for students in its Doctor of Physical Therapy program, according to a university announcement made Wednesday.

The Metro Physical Therapy-Hofstra Scholarship represents a five-year commitment from Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy, which will provide $60,000 annually starting in the 2026-27 academic year, according to university officials. The program will award four doctoral students $15,000 each during their final year of study.

Students must complete their second year and enter their third year with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 to qualify for the scholarship, according to the program requirements. Recipients will be selected during the second semester of their second year, with the funds applied directly toward tuition or academic-related expenses to support completion of coursework and clinical experiences.

The partnership extends beyond financial assistance by offering scholarship recipients the opportunity to enter into two-year employment agreements with Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy following graduation, according to university officials. The arrangement aims to ease the transition from doctoral training to professional clinical practice while strengthening the local health care workforce.

Michael Mayrsohn, co-owner and chief executive officer of Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy, said the partnership addresses the financial burden facing students in the field.

“The cost of education has increased, and it’s difficult to see students graduating with such significant debt,” Mayrsohn said. “Our biggest asset in this field is our therapists, and this scholarship is about giving back to the profession, supporting students as they complete their training, and helping those who want to stay on Long Island enter the workforce with confidence and stability.”

Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy operates as a second-generation family-owned business that was founded in 1982, according to company information. The organization runs more than 60 locations across the region and employs thousands of health care professionals.

The scholarship program targets a critical point in students’ education when they face significant financial pressure while completing intensive clinical training requirements. Doctor of Physical Therapy programs typically require three years of study, with the final year focusing heavily on hands-on clinical experiences that prepare students for professional practice.

Reginald Alston, dean of Hofstra’s School of Health Sciences, emphasized the program’s focus on career preparation and student success.

“This partnership creates meaningful opportunities for our Doctor of Physical Therapy students at a critical stage in their education,” Alston said. “By pairing financial support with a clear pathway to employment, this scholarship allows our students to focus on clinical excellence while preparing for impactful careers in health care.”

The initiative addresses broader challenges facing physical therapy education, where students often accumulate substantial debt while pursuing doctoral-level training. The guaranteed employment component provides recipients with job security in a competitive health care market while ensuring Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy access to well-trained graduates familiar with the company’s practices and standards.

University officials said the partnership demonstrates Hofstra’s commitment to creating practical pathways between academic training and professional careers in health care. The program launches at a time when demand for physical therapy services continues to grow across Long Island, driven by an aging population and increased awareness of rehabilitation medicine’s benefits.

The scholarship represents one of the largest private partnerships for Hofstra’s physical therapy program and establishes a model that could potentially expand to other health care disciplines within the university’s School of Health Sciences.