Aviation scholarships could be from colleges with flight training programs, local businesses, nonprofits, and aviation organizations. The Federal Aviation Administration which is a government agency also provides awards and grants. Aviation scholarships and other college scholarships may cover the cost of flight school as well as pilot training.
Some college scholarships may help finance a degree leading to an aviation profession. For instance, plane maintenance, airport management and avionics to list a few.
Others may help offset costs of getting a pilot license or pursuing a specific certification. One example is the William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship. It is a $2,500 award from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
Who are Aviation Scholarships for?
If the grantor is an organization, you may need to be a current member. However, you may need to show that you are a working professional in business aviation. This includes pilots, maintenance professionals, schedulers, dispatchers, flight attendants and flight technicians.
Also, there are a wide range of scholarships for high school and college students. There are degrees in areas such as:
Aviation maintenance
Aeronautical science
Aerospace engineering
Air traffic management
Aviation business administration
If this is your goal, expect to furnish grades. Additionally, eligibility may depend on financial need and how well you express your goals in an essay.
To stand out as a candidate, you need to show how you merit the award. Aviation focused leadership activities and volunteering since freshman year may help.
Can You Receive Scholarships for Flight School?
One source for aviation scholarships are colleges with flight schools. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifies many civilian flight schools.
Some are small fixed base operators (FBO). Others are universities with aviation science programs. In addition, there are colleges and universities that offer pilot training. These may be part of a 2- or 4-year aviation degree.
One example is Western Michigan University. They have a large college of aviation. Students here can pursue a bachelor’s degree in aviation flight science and other areas. The Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship is one to apply for.
Another is available at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. The Lawrence Ginocchio Scholarship offers five awards each year. Recipients get $4,500 to help pay for their education. Applicants usually need to submit grades, references and an essay.
Women in Aviation Scholarships
For instance, Women in Aviation International is a major provider of scholarships in aviation. These awards are for both men and women in aviation. In 2019, they awarded $875,500 to 156 recipients. They offer flight training scholarships and others that fund a college degree.
In addition, another helpful resource for women is the 99’s. An international association of pilots, they offer several scholarships too. These typically cover the following:
Initial flight training
Type rating
Academic scholarship
Technical training
Emergency maneuver training
Also, the 99s offers a research grant and a New Pilot award. You’ll need a recommendation from a chapter to apply.
Why are Aviation Scholarships a Popular Choice?
Aviation scholarships are a popular choice for aspiring pilots. If your goal is to become an airline pilot, you usually need a bachelor’s degree in any subject. Along with the degree, you need a commercial pilot’s license and an ATP certificate from the FAA.
Grants and scholarships are one way to offset costs of tuition, books and flying expenses. The average in-state cost of attending aviation school is $5,861. If you plan to attend an out of state school, the average tuition is $28,746.
This can seem steep and out of reach given the competition for jobs. However, pilots retire every year, growth in the industry is on a slow climb. There should be about 4% more jobs on the market by 2026.
In any case, those who do secure jobs may find they pay well. Lastly, check the average annual salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $140,340.
Can You Get a Pell Grant for Flight School?
Federal funding may or may not be available for flight school. To receive a Federal Pell Grant, you must attend an accredited school.
Colleges with regional or national accreditation take part in federal aid programs. Furthermore, if you attend a pilot training program at an accredited flight school, you may be eligible for the Pell Grant.
If this is the case, then you should start by filling out a FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid figures out how much money you are eligible to get.
In contrast, you do not have to pay this money back. However, you need to abide by the terms.
For students attending an unaccredited flight school, private scholarships and loans are options.
List of Aviation Scholarships
Check out our list of aviation scholarships below. We have awards worth .
This award is available for U.S. or Canadian undergraduate students who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must be the dependent of a medically retired, long-term disabled, or deceased ALPA member. Incoming freshmen should submit the application after the 1st semester of that senior year.
The AOPA Foundation offers flight training scholarships. These scholarships help student pilots to succeed and ease the financial burden of flight training. This scholarship program is a part of the AOPA You Can Fly program, a collection of initiatives that aim to build a larger, more vibrant pilot community.
Up to 20 teachers will be awarded scholarships of $10,000 each to pursue a primary pilot certificate such as a private, sport or recreational pilot certificate. The Teacher Flight Training Scholarship is provided by AOPA and awarded to flight instructors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Your path to a Delta flight deck starts here. Propel offers you the opportunity to accelerate your career as a pilot through one of our four tailored career paths – the Propel Flight Academy, Collegiate, Company, and Community (Interns, Partner Organizations and Endeavor Ambassadors). Each path offers a defined, yet customized, pilot career path with mentorship from Delta’s pilots every step of the way, guaranteeing your progression and a conditional job offer with Delta Air Lines.
The best benefit to the Delta Propel program, aside from having your choice of career paths to Delta, is the fact that Delta will be engaged with you throughout your entire journey. Signature events on-campus and at Delta’s World Headquarters strengthen your knowledge of the airline industry and develop your leadership skills. And to top it off, you will receive personal mentoring from an active Delta pilot.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles?helps those who are interested in pursuing flight or a career in aviation or aviation related/STEM fields. ?EAA strives to provide scholarships that have a minimum award of $5,000. A wide range of scholarships are funded through the EAA.
The Women in Aerospace Foundation Scholarship is available for women who are majoring in an aerospace related field and entering their final year of undergraduate studies. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
The ATP General Aviation Maintenance Scholarship is open to U.S. and international women who are pursuing an airframe and powerplant (A&P) certificate with a passion to work in general aviation maintenance. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Certain factors will be considered.
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are currently enrolled in an aviation maintenance technician program (A&P) or a degree in aviation maintenance technology. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
The Amelia Earhart Memorial Academic Scholarship was created to assist students pursuing a college degree in an aviation-related field. This scholarship is available for U.S. women who are current or incoming students studying aviation-related field. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Female residents who are members of the Southwest Section of Ninety-Nines (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Utah, Nevada) and are pursuing an advanced certificate or rating are eligible for this award.
