Grants and scholarships are two ways to offset the costs associated with aviation training and education. Every year many opportunities to help fund your education are waiting to be discovered. Some even go unused because students don’t know about them. Most individual scholarships range from $500 to $2,000; however, scholarships sponsored by organizations/associations provide awards up to $35,000 for four years at a specific school. Information on institution-sponsored scholarships is traditionally available at the financial aid office of the college or university you wish to attend.
Click the links below to find out more about how to apply. Check back often as this information is updated frequently.
AAERO
The AAERO Scholarship Program is for aspiring pilots who have not yet received their private pilot certificate. The scholarship is awarded to only a handful of select individuals who have demonstrated their passion and ability to complete their private pilot certification within 12 months of applying for the program.
Aerospace States Association
An integral part of the mission of the Aerospace States Association (ASA) is to “… support and develop initiatives that significantly enhance student and teacher education in space and aeronautics and increases the number of students in the pipeline.” In light of that component of the mission statement, ASA has established two $2,000 scholarships.
Aircraft Electronics Association
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Educational Foundation has awarded nearly $1.5 million to students seeking careers in the aircraft electronics and aviation maintenance industry. In addition, numerous scholarships are available, ranging from $750 to over $3,500. Founded in 1957, the AEA represents more than 1,300 aviation businesses, including repair stations specializing in maintenance, repair, and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. AEA membership also includes instrument facilities, manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, and educational institutions.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
With the current demand for pilots, technicians, and crewmembers, now is a great time to enter aviation, and scholarships can help you achieve your aviation goals! Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) maintains a list of aviation scholarships, including contact information. It is intended to help students begin searching for financial assistance. Scholarship awards range from $2,500 to $14,000.
Airline Dispatchers Federation
The Airline Dispatchers Federation (ADF) represents the professional interests of the dispatch profession. ADF's constituency is comprised of licensed aircraft dispatchers and operational control professionals from aerospace companies, regional and cargo carriers and every major U.S. airline. Scholarship awards are a major benefit of membership in ADF. In the past, ADF has awarded scholarships to its members to help them reach their goal of becoming licensed aircraft dispatchers and advance their aviation and aerospace careers.
Air Line Pilots Association
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) represents and advocates for more than 65,000 pilots at 40 U.S. and Canadian airlines, making it the world’s largest airline pilot union. The Air Line Pilots Association Scholarship Program awards one undergraduate with a $12,000 scholarship over four years. Additionally, the Costas Sivyllis ALPA Education Scholarship is awarded to multiple individuals pursuing a career in aviation with a value of $10,000.
Airport Minority Advisory Council
The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Foundation attracts, supports, and develops minorities and women students in the aviation and aerospace industries. The foundation offers educational programs and scholarships for young professionals. Additionally, AMACESP sponsors the Airport Business Diversity Conference, which is the third largest aviation conference in the U.S.
Air Traffic Control Association
The ATCA Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to outstanding aviation students and children of air traffic controllers. ATCA's wonderful candidates, exceptional winners, and generous scholarship partners and donors are the ones who make it happen.
American Association of Airport Executives
The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) is the largest professional organization for airport employees, delivering results for dedicated individuals who serve as the backbone of the United States airport system. Since 1989, the AAAE Foundation has issued over 3,250 scholarship checks totaling more than $5.7 million, making the organization one of the largest supporters of higher education assistance in the aviation industry. The AAAE Foundation offers scholarships to support our Accredited Airport Executives (A.A.E.s) and their families, as well as scholarships to support the best and brightest future leaders in our profession.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
To help support our future aerospace professionals, the AIAA Foundation annually awards financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students in science or engineering programs. In addition, the AIAA Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships Program offers scholarships to college sophomores, juniors, and seniors each year, and recipients can apply to renew their scholarship annually until they reach graduation.
Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance
AWAM, the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance, is an international organization open to both women and men and has membership opportunities for both students and corporations. Membership consists of maintenance technicians, engineers, teachers, scientists, vendors, and pilots that support maintenance in one form or another. In 2002 AWAM began a scholarship and awards program, which has grown to award opportunities in a total of over $190,000 annually to individuals, both women and men, in our technical areas.
AvFuel Corporation
AvFuel Corporation of Ann Arbor, Michigan, has established funds available to further aviation education. AvFuel is proud to support the aviation community with three scholarship programs providing ten scholarships throughout the year ranging from $500 to $5,000.
AvScholars
AvScholars promotes education and career advancement for students interested in pursuing a career in aviation. It strives to increase student awareness and access to information and resources to help them further their education and careers. AvScholars’ goals are to assist in the future of aviation through public interest and education, stimulate interest and inform students about the various career opportunities within the field of aviation, function as a gateway to information and resources for students, and encourage and foster the exchange of information among students, parents, educators, and employers.
College Scholarships
The College Scholarships Foundation is the non-profit entity behind the scholarships provided here on this site. The foundation offers wide varieties of funding, such as traditional scholarships for minorities and women, while also introducing popular offers such as the first ever blogging scholarship.
Drone Pilot Ground School
Since 2017, the Drone Pilot Ground School has awarded over 100 scholarships to students who demonstrate an interest in drone technology and its commercial applications. As drones get cheaper and their usage expands across a multitude of industries, the Drone Pilot Ground School is at the forefront of supporting young people who are trying to break into the drone industry.
EAA Scholarship Program
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is a growing and diverse organization of members with a wide range of aviation interests and backgrounds. EAA strives to provide scholarships with a minimum award of $5,000 to help students with a dream to become the innovators, aviators, and engineers of tomorrow.
Epic Flight Academy
Epic Flight Academy offers Part 141 pilot training and Part 147 aircraft mechanic training. Epic prides itself on attracting top students and offers a full scholarship to earn a private pilot’s license (up to $20,000 in flight training) and a partial scholarship of $5,000 toward flight training.
Flight Scholarship Info
The scholarships listed on this website are mostly one-time awards ranging from $250-$13,200 to help defray the cost of flight training for a pilot certificate or rating. The awards on this page are not restricted to collegiate aviation students and include resources for pilots who are not eligible for scholarships available only to students.
Flying Musicians Association, Inc.
The Flying Musicians Association, Inc. (FMA), founded in 2009, is a nonprofit organization for pilots who are also musicians that welcomes all proficiency levels and musical genres. The FMA Solo Scholarship Award offers flight training to solo (~15 hrs) and assistance in obtaining flight training materials and flight gear.
Garmin
Garmin brings GPS navigation and wearable technology to the automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor, and fitness markets. Each year Garmin partners with Scholarship America to provide one-time $5,000 awards to multiple high school seniors or college students who are dependents of Garmin associates located in the U.S. Since the launch of this scholarship program in 2019, Garmin has had the pleasure of awarding 77 scholarships.
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is an international trade association dedicated to fostering and advancing the general welfare, safety, interests, and activities of the global business and general aviation industry. GAMA represents over 130 of the world’s leading manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics, and components, as well as operators of maintenance facilities, fixed base operations, aircraft fleets, and pilot and training facilities. GAMA offers the Edward W. Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award annually as part of its commitment to advancing careers in general aviation.
GlobalAir.com
GlobalAir.com is passionate about supporting the future of aviation and helping young people reach their goals. Each year, the Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship provides $1,000 each to four U.S. students who are dedicated to writing online about their flight training, flying, school, and their interest in aviation.
Helicopter Association International
The Helicopter Association International (HAI) represents all aspects of the Vertical Take-off & Landing (VTOL) industry. HAI offers four scholarships: the Bill Sanderson AMT, the Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating, the Maintenance Technician Certificate, and the Michelle North Scholarship for Safety.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin launched the STEM Scholarship Program in 2018 as part of its investment in the next generation of STEM talent. The STEM Scholarship Program awards $10,000 to 200 recipients studying engineering or computer science at a 4-year college or university each year. Recipients may renew the scholarship up to three times for a potential value of $40,000 per student.
National Agricultural Aviation Association
The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), founded in 1966, represents approximately 1,800 members in 44 states. The goal of the Agricultural Aviation Scholarship is to strengthen the aerial application industry by helping NAAA Operators bring new pilots into the profession. NAAA supports the interests of small business owners and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators who use aircraft to enhance food, fiber, and bio-fuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests.
National Air Transportation Association
To achieve its mission, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) established a second organization called the National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF). The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the safety and quality of service provided to the flying public by assisting aviation businesses in the education and training of their employees. NATF awards academic and flight training scholarships, thereby assisting outstanding candidates in pursuing careers in the aviation service business.
National Business Aviation Association
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) scholarship program, supported through sponsorships, offers nearly $100,000 annually in cash awards as tuition reimbursement for enrolled students, which is nearly matched in monetary and training awards for working professionals. In addition, NBAA offers scholarships to qualified students studying aviation-related curricula at institutions of higher learning. The association also sponsors training scholarships to promote professionalism and the advancement of careers for aviation professionals, such as flight department managers, flight attendants, maintenance technicians, schedulers and dispatchers.
National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees
The National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NHCFAE) is a professional, diverse organization that advocates career placement and advancement through support, education, and alliances. In an effort of the mission, the Danny Gutierrez Memorial Scholarship was developed to assist minorities and females studying electronic and engineering majors who need financial assistance to attend college. Each year, one scholarship is awarded to an individual studying electronics or engineering.
The Ninety-Nines, Inc.
The Ninety-Nines, Inc. is an international organization of licensed women pilots from 44 countries. Today Ninety-Nines are professional pilots for airlines, industry, and government; we are pilots who teach and fly for pleasure; we are pilots who are technicians and mechanics. Each year Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships are awarded to qualified members for five different scholarship types, including two specialized scholarships: an Emergency Maneuver Training Scholarship and an International Scholarship for pilots in developing countries. In addition, the AEMSF provides research scholarship grants and First Wings awards for student pilot members.
North Texas Business Aviation Association
Since 2008, the North Texas Business Aviation Association (NTBAA) has been bringing together the growing North Texas Business Aviation Community to network, educate, mentor, share best practices, and represent the interests of the business aviation industry. NTBAA awards scholarships to our members seeking to advance their careers through additional courses or certifications. Our team can assist with connecting you to a mentor member in your area to help light your way.
Professional Aviation Maintenance Association
Since 1972, the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) has been dedicated to promoting professionalism and recognition of the aviation maintenance technician through communication, education, representation, and support of continuous improvement in aviation safety. PAMA provides scholarships and awards to aviation maintenance professionals. The number of awards available is dependent on funds received by donors.
Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association
The Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA) is the only organization that meets the policy, communications, and information needs of on-demand cargo aircraft operators in the United States. The RACCA Aviation Scholarship is established to promote and assist aviation as a career choice and to make students aware of the opportunities in the Air Cargo Industry. This scholarship can be used to assist in the payment of tuition, flight training, or to obtain new or additional licenses.
Regional Airline Association
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) provides a unified voice of advocacy for North American regional airlines to promote a safe, reliable, and strong regional airline industry. RAA offers a scholarship to assist with the education of individuals studying for a career in the airline industry by providing financial support. Three annual scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $4,000 per recipient.
Scholarship America
Scholarship America's mission is to mobilize America, through scholarships and educational support, to make postsecondary success possible for all students. We do this through core programs and businesses that support students in their education journey. (These scholarships cover many program areas and are not necessarily aviation related.)
Scholarships.com
This website contains a small sample of aviation scholarships in hopes of initiating a potential student down the path to finding scholarships and aviation education funding. Founded in 1999, Scholarships.com’s mission is to assist students and their families in finding college scholarships and to help them explore various valuable financial aid opportunities. Scholarships.com states that they connect students with a proprietary database containing 2.7 million college scholarships and grants worth over $19 billion so that students can quickly arrive at a list of awards for which they qualify.
Student Scholarships
The information on this website includes a wide range of career and salary selections in addition to new and current scholarships, academic programs, course outlines, and more. The career and salary category provides specific details on the selected career, such as the typical work environment, education and certification requirements, and other qualifications.
Spaceport 99s
The Spaceport Chapter of the 99s is located in Central Florida, covering the area from Palm Coast in the north to Vero Beach in the south and from the Atlantic Ocean inland to the Orlando-Kissimmee area. Each year in June, the Spaceport 99s Chapter awards the Blackwell-Walker Memorial Scholarship for $1500. Also included is one year’s dues to the 99s.
Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME)
The TAME Scholarship provides financial assistance to TAME students pursuing higher education in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics-related field. Scholarships from TAME vary year to year based on available funding.
Texas Airports Council (TAC)
The Texas Airports Council (TAC) is a professional airport management organization providing membership services to airport professionals throughout the state of Texas. The TAC, in memory of Juan Martinez, will maintain an academic scholarship for students who are studying aviation management and are currently enrolled in Texas colleges and universities or residents of Texas who are enrolled in a college or university outside the state.
University Aviation Association
The University Aviation Association (UAA) is the voice of collegiate aviation education to its members, the industry, government, and the general public. Through the collective expertise of its members, the non-profit organization specializes in advancing degree-granting aviation programs that represent all segments of the aviation industry. UAA has over 1,200 members, including 150 accredited colleges and universities.
Vertical Flight Society
The Vertical Flight Society is the world’s oldest and largest technical society dedicated to enhancing the understanding of vertical flight technology. Each year, the Vertical Flight Foundation scholarships are awarded to college students demonstrating an interest in pursuing engineering-related careers in vertical flight technology. Scholarships are solely merit-based, and the value ranges from $1,000 up to $6,000.
Whirly-Girls, Inc.
The Whirly-Girls Scholarship Fund, Inc., was incorporated in 1974 to oversee and administer the scholarship funds raised by the Whirly-Girls and their supporters. The Fund is a federally tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity. The fund administers many separate scholarships valued, in some recent years, at more than $175,000.
Women in Aviation International
Scholarship awards are a major benefit of membership in Women in Aviation, International (WAI) and help members reach their goals and advance into the aviation and aerospace careers. The WAI scholarship program features a variety of career pursuits to fund and further members' interests in aerospace engineering, aviation maintenance, flight training, helicopter ratings, dispatch, and professional development. Ignite your personal learning experience by applying for the annual WAI scholarships.
Women in Corporate Aviation International
Women in Corporate Aviation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is a group of aviation professionals, including flight department personnel, FBO managers, writers, students, training center professional, and many others. Financial scholarships are categorized under Pilot and Maintenance Training, Flight Attendants, and Legal and Safety. Award amounts vary.
Women’s Transportation Seminar
The Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) is an international organization dedicated to shaping the future of transportation for the public good through the global advancement of women. The Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Foundation awards scholarships to women pursuing careers in transportation through undergraduate and graduate programs. The scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant's specific transportation goals, academic record, and transportation-related activities or job skills.
Zonta International
Zonta International is a leading global professional organization empowering women through service and advocacy. To carry out its mission that women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, Zonta International offers the Amelia Earhart Fellowship in honor of famed pilot and Zontian Amelia Earhart. The $10,000 fellowship is awarded annually to up to 30 women pursuing doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences.