Made possible through donations to the AOPA Foundation, our scholarships are a major benefit of AOPA membership, helping members reach their aviation goals.
Scholarships are available in multiple categories, including primary (sport, recreational, and private pilot) certification, instrument rating, and aviation maintenance technician certification. We also have up to 100 scholarships at $10,000 each for high school students and teachers to train for their private pilot certificate. Scholarship awards range from $2,500 to $14,000. The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Certain criteria must be met to qualify for a scholarship. You will submit only one application that will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible. Review our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information, including how to become an AOPA member.
Donor: Our flight training scholarships are funded by generous donations to the AOPA Foundation. Miscellaneous donations for scholarships are combined and awarded to help members reach their aviation goals.
Award: $2,500 and up; the number of awards will vary
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Donor: The Ray Foundation – established by the late aviator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, James C. Ray. James believed that life skills are learned through aviation. We are proud to help carry on his legacy by awarding merit-based scholarships to 80 high school students.
Award: 80 $10,000 scholarships available
Certificate or Rating: Private Pilot Certificate
Criteria:
Special Note to H.S. Students! Did you know that the average pass rate for the FAA Private Pilot written knowledge exam is 90%, and the average score is 82.96%? Here's another helpful article to help you pass the exam.
Donor: : The Ray Foundation—established by the late aviator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, James C. Ray. James believed that life skills are learned through aviation. We are proud to help carry on his legacy by awarding flight training scholarships to up to 20 high school teachers utilizing the You Can Fly aviation-based STEM curriculum.
Award: Up to 20 $10,000 scholarships available
Certificate or Rating: Private Pilot Certificate
Criteria:
Donor: Allan and Jill Eckmann
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Private Pilot certificate
Criteria:
Donor: Breitling
Award: $10,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Donor: Ceci Stratford of Simi Valley, California, is a former Peace Corps Volunteer (Guatemala) and a retired telecommunications, systems and bank operations analyst who has taken her support of aviation’s future to the next level by establishing the Ceci Stratford Flight Training Scholarship. Ceci is a CFI whose passion for flying extends to her volunteer activities, including serving as former San Fernando Valley 99s Chapter Scholarship Chair, and current Scholarship Co-Chair for the 99s Southwest Section. She has taken many young people on their first flights (over 850) through EAA’s Young Eagles program and serves as an advisor for the Aviation Explorers Post 747. Ceci has mentored many student pilots in their pursuit of flight training scholarships and careers in aviation and aims to increase the number of women and girls in the aviation field.
Award: Two $5,000+ scholarships available
Certificate or Rating: One scholarship for primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate), one scholarship for an advanced rating
Criteria:
Donor: Brenton Taussig in memory of Daniel T. Taussig.
Award: Amount will vary
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Donor: The friends and family of Jan and Dave Monti, in memory of Dave. Dave was a member of AOPA for more than 50 years. He founded Rebuilt Aircraft, Inc. to provide specialized maintenance and repair services for owners of Beechcraft Bonanzas, Barons, and Travel Airs. In 2019, Dave was named the FAA’s National Aviation Technician of the Year. We are proud to honor Dave’s legacy by awarding this scholarship for flight training.
Award: $3,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Donor: The friends and family of Jan and Dave Monti, in memory of Dave. Dave was a member of AOPA for more than 50 years. He founded Rebuilt Aircraft, Inc. to provide specialized maintenance and repair services for owners of Beechcraft Bonanzas, Barons, and Travel Airs. In 2019, Dave was named the FAA’s National Aviation Technician of the Year. We are proud to honor Dave’s legacy by awarding this scholarship for those pursuing education in aviation maintenance.
Award: $3,000
Certificate or Rating: Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate
Criteria:
Donor: David Kleine, in memory of his beloved wife, Florence, who loved general aviation and the opportunities it provided for her family and others.
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Private certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Donor The Dudley D. and Delores R. Malone Family Foundation, in memory of Dudley and Delores Malone. An avid recreational pilot and member of AOPA for many decades, Dudley earned his pilot’s license when he was in his 20’s. He was a life-long entrepreneur with a passion for aviation and anything and everything that took to the skies. Dudley’s wife Delores was his “co-pilot” in the air and in life for 54 years.
Award: Four awards of $5,000 each
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Donor: Paul Guse in memory of Edward B. Shafer. Ed was renowned in the St. Louis-area general aviation community, serving as a flight instructor for over six decades. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Ed’s enduring commitment to aviation safety was recognized in 2019 with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot award. As owner and operator of St. Louis Metro-East Airport (Shafer Field), he positively influenced hundreds of new and experienced aviators, generously sharing his knowledge and experience with kindness, patience, and humor.
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Available to those pursuing a career in aviation, including but not limited to aerospace engineering, professional pilot (airline, corporate, etc.) flight instruction, aircraft maintenance and airport management
Criteria:
Donor: Nancy G. Fitzpatrick in Memory of Ed Prosperi. Ed Prosperi was a Chicago area aviation icon, having owned Prosperi Airport near Tinley Park, IL. The airport is no longer there as the construction of Interstate 80 went right through the field. In 1996, Ed was posthumously inducted into the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame. My husband and I began our instrument training under Ed Prosperi's tutelage even though Ed was in his 80s at the time. He continued to fly his Twin Comanche until his health no longer permitted and passed away at 88.
Award: $5,000
Rating: Instrument
Criteria:
Donor: When Glenn Plymate’s wife, Erral, passed away in 2003, he and his family suggested that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the AOPA Foundation (at the time, known as the AOPA Air Safety Foundation). Glenn and his family pledged to match these and other contributions, coming together to create the Erral Lea Plymate Memorial Endowment, which now funds several flight training scholarships each year. When Glenn passed away in 2015, his name was added to the endowment. We are honored to continue their legacy and passion for aviation.
Award: Multiple; $2,500 and up
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Donor: Corporate Aircraft Association (CAA) in memory of Fred and Diane Fitts. Fred Fitts was a pilot and FBO owner before starting the Corporate Aircraft Association in 1990. Together with his wife, Diane, the couple built the successful fuel and resource purchasing program from scratch. CAA continues to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Part 91 operators by the power of their membership numbers to negotiate the best possible fuel prices. Designed to help young people get into aviation, CAA hopes these scholarships will allow future generations to fulfill the Fitts’ goal of providing value and quality to others.
Award: $7,500 each
Certificate or Rating: Private pilot certification or instrument rating
Criteria:
Donor: Nancy G. Fitzpatrick in memory of Bob Bossi. Bob was a VietNam veteran and learned to fly utilizing the GI Bill. In addition to instructing in the Kankakee, IL area, Bob had a successful career as a corporate pilot for Ashland Oil. Bob was my CFI for my entire Private Pilot rating and was willing to fly at just about any time he was free. He instilled many great routines and techniques into my flying that I utilize to this day. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 73 from health issues.
Award: $5,000
Rating: CFI, CFII, or MEI
Criteria:
Donor: Scott and Jane Stuart via the Imperial Foundation
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Donor: H. Ross Perot Jr. via the Hillwood Development Company, LLC. Available to students attending V. R. Eaton High School in the Professional Pilot program pathway.
Award: $14,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Donor: H. Ross Perot Jr. via the Hillwood Development Company, LLC. Available to students attending V. R. Eaton High School in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program pathway.
Award: $2,700
Certificate or Rating: Aircraft Maintenance Technician Certificate
Criteria:
