Scholarships awarded
Tops $2.2 million for flight training
The AOPA Foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships each year. More than $1 million is awarded to at least 80 high school students and up to 20 teachers, who each receive $12,900 toward training for their private pilot certificate.
Other scholarships include primary flight training funds to be used toward sport, private, or recreational certificates as well as multiple advanced scholarships for additional certificates and ratings such as instrument, commercial, flight instructor, or multiengine instrument. The AOPA Foundation also offers several scholarships for nonflying pursuits, including mechanic or flight dispatcher training.
“These scholarships are life changing, in many cases,” said Taz Thomas, AOPA scholarship manager. “We’ve seen past recipients go on to work in every corner of the aviation industry. We are excited to see where this year’s awardees—who come from every part of the country and background—go in their aviation journey.”
“The biggest barrier to getting into aviation is the cost. We are honored to work with generous donors, such as the Ray Foundation, who are dedicated to investing in the next generation of pilots and aviation professionals,” said AOPA Foundation Senior Vice President Elizabeth Tennyson.
To be eligible, applicants must meet scholarship-specific criteria and hold a current AOPA membership, which is free for high school students. The application window for 2026 scholarships opens October 6, 2025. 
The AOPA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Its scholarships and programs are not funded by AOPA member dues, but by generous donations from individuals and organizations.
aopafoundation.org
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