Need money to help you pursue your aviation dream? A number of aviation organizations offer financial assistance to outstanding applicants. Scholarships with upcoming deadlines include ones for young adults, aspiring glider pilots, and business aviation professionals. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Find more of AOPA’s ongoing coverage of scholarship-related news online.
Scholarship opportunities
The application window opened Oct. 31 for the 2015 LeRoy W. Homer Jr. scholarship from the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation. The foundation, named for the first officer of United Airlines Flight 93 when it crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001, was founded “to encourage and support young adults who wish to pursue careers as professional pilots.” The scholarship is open to U.S. citizens between the ages of 16 and 23 by the application deadline, who are pursuing a private pilot certificate outside of a university setting. Applications are due by Jan. 31, 2015.
The Karen Greig Soaring Scholarship is offered to women pursuing an add-on glider rating or training for their private pilot certificate in gliders. The scholarship is intended to encourage women of all ages to pursue their dream of flight. Applications are due by Jan. 31, 2015, and must include an essay on the applicant’s passion for soaring.
The National Business Aviation Association’s scholarship program awards a range of scholarships to students and professionals in business aviation. Scholarships with upcoming deadlines include the Donald A. Baldwin Sr. Business Aviation Management Scholarship, which totals $1,225 and covers the cost of the Certified Aviation Managers application, CAM Study Guide, and CAM exam registration fee. The recipient will also be given funds to register for the 2015 NBAA Leadership Conference. Applications are due Nov. 14. The Leadership Conference Scholarship will enable recipients to attend NBAA’s Leadership Conference Feb. 24 to 26 in Tucson, Ariz. Application are due Nov. 24.
Scholarship winners
The Arizona Business Aviation Association has awarded scholarships to six recipients pursuing business aviation careers. Jessica Schram, a former elementary school teacher, former foster care social worker, and multidiscipline athlete, has been awarded $5,000 to pursue a career as a business aviation pilot. Adrian Orellana, who has worked at FBOs and now works at a Cessna Citation Service Center, receives a $2,000 scholarship as he works toward his A&P certificate. Airline transport pilot Kevin Otterstrom receives $2,000 and plans to resume risk management training with the Stanford Center for Professional Development. Former Army soldier Richard Formo receives $2,000 to pursue a degree in aviation business management and economics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott. Lisanne Kippenberg, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aviation business management and safety at Embry-Riddle Prescott, receives a $2,000 scholarship. Clayton Marr, a multiengine instrument instructor pilot at ATP, lead ramp agent for Allegiant at Gateway, and altitude chamber operator for ASU Gateway, completed a FlightSafety King Air type certificate training course through a scholarship from FlightSafety awarded through Arizona Business Aviation Association’s scholarship program.
Scholarship deadlines approach
Review other scholarships with upcoming deadlines:
Nov. 15—Amelia Earhart Fellowship
Nov. 17—Women in Aviation, International
Nov. 20—Arthur M. Godfrey Foundation scholarships
Nov. 26—NBAA International Operators Committee
Nov. 30—Helicopter Foundation International
Dec. 31—Tinker Murdock Flight Training Award
Dec. 31—Harrison Ford Scholarship
Jan. 31, 2015—American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation
March 31, 2015—American Association of Airport Executives
May 1, 2015—Air Traffic Control Association
