You Can Fly: Scholarship applications are open
Apply now and learn to fly this summer
AOPA offers a variety of scholarships to aspiring pilots, valued between $2,500 and $10,000. The scholarships are offered through the You Can Fly and the AOPA Foundation.
The You Can Fly High School Flight Training Scholarship Program offers current high school students the opportunity to learn how to fly, said Cindy Hasselbring, senior director of the AOPA You Can Fly High School Initiative. “We will offer 20 flight training scholarships, for $5,000 each, to current high school students to pursue their initial pilot certificate,” she said. Applications opened February 1 and will close on May 2. To be eligible, students must be current high school students, ages 15 to 18 years old, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have at least a 2.75 GPA, and parent or guardian approval if under 18 years of age.
Applicants will complete an online application, submit their most recent high school transcript, and get two recommendations. In the application, the students will be asked why they want to learn how to fly, how they will use their pilot certificate once they have earned it, and how they have been involved in aviation.
“We are planning to notify winners in early June so that they can begin flight training if they haven’t already,” added Hasselbring. “We have awarded 44 scholarships in the last two years. You Can Fly is passionate about helping to support excellent students on their path to a pilot certificate.”
Scholarships available through AOPA:
High School: 20 scholarships at $5,000 each for current high school students, ages 15 to 18. Students can use this money toward their initial pilot certificate, including sport, private, or recreational.
AOPA Foundation Primary Certification Scholarships: Multiple scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $7,500; ages 16 and up; must be an AOPA member to apply; can use the money toward their initial pilot certificate including sport, private, or recreational.
AOPA Foundation Advanced Rating Scholarships: Multiple scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $10,000; must be an AOPA member to apply; age varies depending on rating; can use the money toward an instrument, commercial, CFI, CFII, or MEI rating.
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