Aviation Scholarships: Not just for college students
Aviation Scholarships
Scholarship Applications
The first, and sometimes most difficult, step to being awarded any scholarship is simply completing the application process by the posted deadline. By meeting the initial deadline, an applicant demonstrates responsibility and respect for the sponsor. Try to place yourself in the shoes of the scholarship sponsor. Would you award funding to a person that didn't follow the application submission process? Applications that are late or incomplete will, most likely, never be considered. With scholarships that barely have any applicant submissions, providing the correct material by the deadline could be the only barrier to becoming the recipient.
On the other hand, well-known scholarships have so many qualified applicants that selecting a recipient becomes a cumbersome process for the sponsor. After submitting an application, being selected to receive the scholarship is merely a factor of standing out in a crowd. Be sure to give personal touches to your writing anytime an essay is required. An initial catch phrase or a unique story helps the sponsor remember your words when it comes time to choose the recipient from a stack of status quo applications.
To help you with finding and applying for aviation scholarships, AOPA has compiled a list of aviation scholarships and the contact information associated with each. The listing below is intended to help you to begin your search for financial assistance in the form of scholarship opportunities. You can find more institution-specific scholarship listings from your school's financial aid office.
AOPA Scholarships
AOPA Flight Training Scholarships
Aviation Scholarships
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Scholarships
National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Scholarships
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Scholarships
National Gay Pilots Association Scholarships
Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots Scholarships
University Aviation Association (UAA) Scholarship Listing
Women in Aviation, International Scholarship Listing
Dream Wings Scholarship
Contact: Kris Chana
13249 Fieldstone Road
Fort Worth, TX 76244
817.201.3113
Email: kris@dreamwings.org
Website: www.dreamwings.org
Application deadline: March
Amount awarded: (1) $1,000 scholarship annually
Girls with Wings
1275 Andrews Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107-2403
216/221-0577; fax 216/221-3770
Contact: Linda Meeks
E-mail: lmeeks@girlswithwings.com
Website: http://girlswithwings.com/scholarship.html
Amount awarded: Two $1,000 scholarships
The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Scholarships
Contact: Cheryl Homer Wilson, Executive Director
800/388-1647
Website: www.leroywhomerjr.org/scholarships.html
Approximate application deadline: February 28
Amount(s) awarded: (3) $3,500-$6,000
Harold S. Wood Scholarship
Contact: Kelly Wargo, General Aviation Manufacturers Association
1400 K Street, NW
Suite 801
Washington, DC 20005
202/393-1500
E-mail: kwargo@gama.aero
Approximate application deadline: April
Amount(s) awarded: (1) $1000 scholarship awarded annually. Must be a member of a NIFA team.
Whirly Girls Helicopter Add-on Flight Training Scholarship
Contact: Patricia Calder, VP Scholarship
Website: www.whirlygirls.org
E-mail: WGVPscholarships@whirlygirls.org
Application deadline: October 1
Regional scholarships
The Alaska Airmen’s Association
Montana Department of Transportation
Minnesota Aviation Trades Association Flight Scholarship
Attention: Scholarship Committee
PO Box11945
Saint Paul, MN 55111
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/mnaviationtrades/Home/scholarships
Award(s) and amount(s): $2,000
Would you like to add your scholarship to this resource list? Please email FTscholarship@aopa.org.
Updated 11/02/11
