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Training & Safety Students Flight Training Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

AWARD RECIPIENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED THIS SPRING

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR 2020 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Starting December 1, 2020, AOPA members are invited to apply for primary and advanced flight training scholarships, made possible through donations to the AOPA Foundation. Last year, 120 scholarships totaling more than $1 million were awarded.

These scholarship awards are a major benefit of AOPA membership, helping members reach their aviation goals.

The scholarship awards are broken down into four categories: AOPA High School Flight Training Scholarship, AOPA Teacher Flight Training Scholarship, AOPA Primary Flight Training Scholarship, and AOPA Advanced Rating Scholarship.

Scholarship Deadline

The scholarship application deadline is Sunday, February 14 at 11:59 p.m. (EST).

On This Page

AOPA High School Flight Training Scholarship

Basic RGBThanks to the generosity of the Ray Foundation, 80 exceptional high school students, ages 15 to 18, will each receive a $10,000 flight training scholarships in 2021.

Scholarship recipients will be able to use the money for direct flight training expenses to pursue a primary pilot certificate, such as a private, sport, or recreational pilot certificate. They must also complete a flight training milestone, achieving either solo or earning a primary pilot certificate, within one year of receiving a scholarship.

  1. Click here for eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.
  2. Be sure your AOPA membership is current. Not a member? Take advantage of our free AOPA AV8RS or free 6-month student pilot membership options.
  3. Here are a few things to have handy when you’re completing your application:
    • High school transcript
    • Contact information for each of your two references
    • A list of school and non-school related clubs and organizations in which you have participated since your freshman year, as well as any corresponding leadership positions (particularly those that are aviation related)
    • A list of honors and awards that you have received when participating in clubs and organizations
    • A list of volunteer organizations in which you participate, plus any awards and honors that you have received for your participation since freshman year (particularly those that are aviation related)
    • Your pilot logbook (if you have one)

Need Help?

  • Click here for eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.
  • If your questions have not been answered here, please email [email protected].

learn about our 2020 high school scholarship winners

AOPA Teacher Flight Training Scholarship

Basic RGB As part of the AOPA You Can Fly program and thanks to the generosity of the Ray Foundation, up to 20 teachers will each be awarded a $10,000 scholarship to pursue a primary pilot certificate such as a private, sport, or recreational pilot certificate.

To be eligible, a teacher must be:

  • An AOPA member
  • A full-time employee of a school or school system
  • Teaching the AOPA High School Aviation STEM Curriculum
  1. Click here for eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.
  2. Be sure your AOPA membership is current. Not an AOPA member? Take advantage of our free 6-month student pilot membership or click here to review our membership options.

Need Help?

  • Click here for eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.
  • If your questions have not been answered here, please email [email protected].

LEARN ABOUT OUR 2020 TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

AOPA Primary Flight Training Scholarship

Basic RGBFunded by generous donations to the AOPA Foundation, AOPA Primary Flight Training scholarship awards range from $2,500 to $7,500. Current AOPA members who are at least 16 years of age by the application deadline are eligible to apply. The scholarship award can be applied to training for a private pilot, sport pilot, or recreational pilot certificate.

  1. Click here for eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.
  2. If you're not an AOPA member, take advantage of our free 6-month student pilot membership or click here to review our membership options.

Need Help?

  • Click here for eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.
  • If your questions have not been answered here, please email [email protected]. 

LEARN ABOUT OUR 2020 PRIMARY SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

AOPA Advanced Rating Scholarship

Basic RGBTo support outstanding pilots with career aspirations, the AOPA Foundation will award various scholarships, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 to AOPA members seeking one of the following ratings or certificates:

  • Instrument
  • Commercial
  • CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor)
  • CFII (Certificated Flight Instructor – Instrument)
  • MEI (Multi-Engine – Instructor)
  1. Click here for eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.
  2. Be sure your AOPA membership is current. If you're not a paid AOPA member, click here to review our paid membership options.

Need Help?

  • Click here for eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.
  • If your questions have not been answered here, please email [email protected].

LEARN ABOUT OUR 2020 ADVANCED RATING SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Aviation Industry Scholarships

There are many industry-funded scholarship opportunities outside of AOPA to help you fund your aviation aspirations. Browse our list to learn more.