Open · closes in 11 daysMembership required
Grand Dames of Aviation
$1,500 – $2,000
4 awards per annual cycle, one application window
National · Women
All four awards are for women. The ProAvi Pilot and ProAvi STEM scholarships ($2,000 each) are for women 18 and older pursuing careers as professional pilots or in aviation and aerospace STEM fields. The Wings of Change scholarships ($1,500 each) recognize a passion for aviation and volunteer service, with a Junior award for ages 14 to 22 and a Senior award for ages 23 and up. The Aspiring Dames membership, open to women 18 and up at any career stage, is pay what you can (suggested $20/year) and waives the non-member application fee of $15 to $20.
Two ProAvi awards at $2,000 each and two Wings of Change awards at $1,500 each
Open · closes in 11 days
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
$6,000 – $12,000
~$2.25M distributed annually through local EAA chapters
National · Youth 16-18
Open to youth ages 15-19 (16-19 for powered flight) who have completed at least one EAA Young Eagles flight; candidates are nominated by a local EAA chapter and must hold or be able to obtain a student pilot certificate to pursue a Private Pilot, Sport Pilot, or Glider certificate.
Up to $12,000 for Private Pilot, $9,000 for Sport Pilot, $6,000 for Glider Pilot
Free deadline remindersDeadlines sneak up. We'll email you first.
Most of these open and close on annual cycles. Get a heads-up before a window you care about slips by.
Open · closes in 12 daysMembership required
Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary)
Up to $10,000
~60+ awards per cycle via USAF and James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship funding
National · Youth 16-18
Open to current active Civil Air Patrol cadets in good standing who have never previously received this award; priority given to cadets who have completed prerequisites including the Wright Brothers Award, Encampment, Student Pilot Certificate, FAA Medical Certificate, solo endorsement, and passing FAA Knowledge Test score.
Up to $10,000 per recipient toward private pilot flight training costs; funded by USAF and James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship
Open · closes in 12 daysMembership required
Women in Aviation International
$3,000 – $5,000
50+ awards per cycle, members may apply to up to three (separate applications)
National · Women
Open to WAI members of any age, gender, or background. New members must join by August 30, 2026; current members need a membership expiration of March 30, 2027 or later. Members may apply for up to three scholarships per cycle, but each one is a separate application. Offerings span private pilot, instrument, CFI, multi-engine, and other aviation and aerospace paths.
Individual flight training awards typically range $3,000-$5,000 (e.g., PPL at $5,000, instrument at $5,000, CFI at $3,000, multi-engine at $3,000); 50+ total scholarships worth $200,000+ per cycle across all aviation categories
Open · closes in 12 daysMembership required
Women Military Aviators
$2,500
National · Women
Open to women pursuing any flight rating at an accredited institution or FAA-approved Part 141 or Part 61 flight school. Applicants must hold a current paid Women in Aviation International (WAI) membership to apply.
$2,500 paid directly to the flight school; must be used within one year of award
Open · closes in 12 days
Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association
$2,500
4 awards of $2,500 per cycle
National
Open to U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited college-level aviation program with at least a 3.0 GPA, pursuing a career as a pilot or as an FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic. Funds may go toward tuition, flight training, or new licenses and ratings. No membership required.
Four named $2,500 scholarships in the 2026 cycle (Frederick W. Smith, Terry Hibler Memorial, Stanley Bernstein, and Jeanne Cook). Funds are paid to the school, not the student.
Open · closes in 19 days
National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA)
$5,000
National · Adults
Open to aspiring agricultural aviators who are sponsored by an NAAA operator member; the applicant does not need to hold paid NAAA membership. Funds may be applied to flight training or aviation and agricultural coursework, and a sponsor recommendation letter plus a short essay are required.
Up to five $5,000 awards per cycle.
Open · closes in 41 daysMembership required
Soaring Society of America (SSA)
Up to $3,000
1 award per year
National · Youth 16-18
Open to Junior SSA members ages 17 to 24 who hold a private glider rating or higher and can show cross-country soaring proficiency (FAI Silver Badge or Kolstad Century Award). Applicants under 18 need parent or guardian support.
Up to $3,000 in SSA credit toward CFI-G training and testing ($2,000 initial, plus $1,000 on earning the commercial glider rating).
After the awardWhat one scholarship leaves you to fund
Private certificate
$17,955
The median award in this directory against a national Private estimate. Whatever an award does not cover, you fund some other way.
Open · closes in 42 days
Epic Flight Academy
$5,000 – $20,000
12 pilot awards per annual cycle (1 at $20,000, 11 at $5,000)
National · Youth 16-18
Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are current high school juniors or seniors, at least 16 years old by December 31 of the award year, with no previous pilot certificate. Recipients must be ready to begin training within 12 months of receiving the award and must complete training within 24 months.
Individual awards range from $5,000 to $20,000 per recipient depending on the specific award
Open · closes in 42 days
The Ninety-Nines
Up to $6,000
Semiannual award; two cycles per year
National · Women
Open to women student pilots who have been Ninety-Nines Student Pilot Members for at least three months before the application deadline, have logged at least five flight hours in the six months prior to applying, and can demonstrate financial need. Targets completion of the private, sport, or recreational pilot certificate.
Up to $6,000 per award cycle, disbursed incrementally as specific training milestones are completed
Open · closes in 72 days
Arizona Pilots Association
Amount varies
Arizona · Youth 16-18
Open to Arizona high school and college students pursuing pilot training or other aviation education. Applicants must rank in the upper half of their class and demonstrate leadership qualities, moral character, and community service involvement.
Award amount not published; varies by cycle
Open · closes in 72 days
mikeroweWORKS Foundation
Amount varies
One trade-wide application; aviation is one of many eligible fields
National
Open to U.S. students enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, an accredited trade or technical program of two years or less; four-year degree programs do not qualify. Aviation is an eligible field, so it fits professional-pilot or aviation-maintenance training delivered through an accredited two-year college or vocational/technical school rather than standalone Part 61 lessons. Applicants must sign the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, answer short questions about it, submit a 45-60 second video, provide an official tuition/cost statement, and supply two references from a boss, supervisor, or teacher. Free to apply; no membership required.
No fixed per-award figure published; awards cover tuition, books, and tools only (not room, board, or living costs). The foundation aimed to give away roughly $10 million across all trades in the 2026 cycle.
Open · closes in 73 days
International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISA+21)
$5,000 – $10,000
4 award types, 12+ awards per year (~$50,000+)
National · Adults · Women
Open to women pursuing an airline career. Awards fund advanced flight ratings (CFI, CFII, MEI) and airline type ratings; requirements vary by award, from an FAA Commercial certificate for the Financial Scholarship up to an ATP with 2,500 hours for the Type Rating.
Financial Scholarships $5,000 (advanced ratings: CFI, CFII, MEI) and Type Rating Scholarships $10,000 (B737/A320); 12 scholarships worth over $50,000 awarded in the 2025 cycle across all award types.
Open · closes in 73 days
International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISA+21)
$10,000
2 awards per year
National · Adults · Women
Open to women with an ATP (or ICAO equivalent), at least 2,500 hours total time including 500 hours multi-engine turbine, a current first-class medical, and a career goal of airline flying.
Two awards a year, each a $10,000 B737 or A320 type rating; training completed with Flight Training International in Miami, Dallas, or Denver.
Open · closes in 73 days
International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISA+21)
$5,000
2+ awards per year
National · Adults · Women
Open to women enrolled in an advanced flight training program (or who have completed ab-initio training), holding an FAA Commercial certificate (or equivalent) and a first-class medical, and pursuing an airline career.
A minimum of two $5,000 awards a year toward an advanced flight training program (CFI, CFII, MEI).
Open · closes in 133 days
American Flyers
Amount varies
Awarded twice a year
National · Adults · Women
Open to U.S.-citizen women pursuing CFI-A and CFI-I ratings who already hold a private certificate, an instrument rating, and a single-engine commercial certificate (or ATP), plus a first- or second-class medical, a 3.0+ GPA, the CFI, FOI, and CFII writtens, and a spin endorsement. Requires three recommendation letters and a commitment to the 30-day academy at an American Flyers school. Employees of American Flyers are not eligible.
Awarded as funded CFI academy training at American Flyers rather than cash: 104 hours of classroom instruction, 10 hours of individual ground instruction, 14 hours dual in a Cessna 172 or 172RG, 6 hours dual simulator, and unlimited solo simulator time. Written and flight test fees, housing, travel, and living expenses are not included.
Open · closes in 134 daysMembership required
The Ninety-Nines
Up to $20,000
~20 awards across multiple scholarship types per annual cycle; one application covers all types
National · Women
Applicants must be women who have been continuous paid members of The Ninety-Nines for at least one full year as of January 1, must have a specific and realistic goal for advancement in aviation or aerospace, and must demonstrate financial need for most scholarship types. The membership length requirement is waived for the Vicki Cruse and Kitty Houghton sub-scholarships.
Varies by scholarship type; flight training awards up to $20,000; academic awards up to $10,000 renewable; approximately 20 total awards per annual cycle
Open · closes in 218 days
National Air Transportation Foundation
$1,500
1 award per year
National
Open to college students (or high school seniors entering an accredited aviation program) who already hold a private pilot certificate, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and are pursuing a professional pilot career. Check and transcript required with application.
Open · closes in 224 days
Minnesota Pilots Association
Amount varies
Two named pilot awards (Erickson and Strathy), one application window
Minnesota · Adults
Open to Minnesota residents who already hold at least an FAA Private Pilot certificate and are pursuing an advanced rating such as instrument, commercial, CFI, CFII, or multi-engine. Applicants must not have completed the checkride for the rating they are seeking. No membership or application fee is required.
Award amounts are not published; funds go toward advanced rating training.
Open nowMembership required
Vertical Aviation International (VAI)
$10,000
National
Applicants must hold a private helicopter pilot certificate and be enrolled in a commercial helicopter rating program at an FAA-approved Part 141 school (or international equivalent), and must hold at least a second-class medical certificate. VAI membership is required to apply.
$10,000 toward commercial helicopter rating training costs, plus complimentary VERTICON full registration for recipient and a guest
Opens Oct 1Membership required
AOPA Foundation
$250 – $14,000
Large umbrella program with hundreds of named awards per year; one application covers all eligible scholarships.
National · Women
Open to current AOPA members who are residents of the U.S., D.C., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, pursuing sport, private, instrument, commercial, or other aviation training; dedicated awards exist for high school students, women, teachers using AOPA curriculum, and corporate aviation employees.
Individual awards range from $250 to $14,000 across many named scholarships; high school students and teachers have dedicated pools of awards at $12,000 each.
Spring cycle Apr 1 to Jun 30, Fall cycle Oct 1 to Dec 31 each year
Opens Oct 1
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
Amount varies
71 awards · one application
National
Open to US or Canadian citizens (or those eligible to work or study in the US or Canada) who are at least 16 years old and pursuing flight training at a US or Canadian flight school. A single application is used for all 25-plus named scholarships, covering certificates from private pilot through CFI, instrument, multi-engine, and other advanced ratings. EAA membership is preferred but not required.
Varies by individual named award; over $487,000 total distributed to 71 recipients in the 2025-2026 cycle (roughly $6,800 average)
Opens Oct 1, closes Dec 19 each year; awards announced on or around March 2
Opens Oct 31
LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation
Up to $17,000
National · Youth 16-18
Open to US citizens or permanent residents aged 16 to 23 as of the January 31 deadline who have not yet earned a Private Pilot Certificate. Applicants must be available for training from May through December and complete a Private Pilot written ground school before mid-May of the training year.
Covers actual flight and ground training costs; total budget is below $17,000 unless circumstances require otherwise
Opens October 31, closes January 31 each year; awards distributed by Memorial Day
Opens Mar 15, 2027Membership required
Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA)
Amount varies
12 awards · one application
National · Minority · Veterans
Open to active LPA members (student, standard, or lifetime tier) enrolled or accepted in U.S.-based flight training. Five tracks span private pilot through ATP and type rating certifications, with a dedicated track for active-duty military, reservists, and veterans.
Varies by award track; the Elevated Access Advanced Rating track offers $10,000
Opens mid-March, closes mid-May each year
Opens Feb 1, 2027Membership required
Exploring (Learning for Life / BSA)
$5,000 – $10,000
Multiple awards, one application
National
Applicant must be currently registered and active in an Aviation Explorer post (Learning for Life / BSA). A minimum of three recommendation letters from non-family aviation or community contacts are required, and all scholarship funds must be used within 24 months of the award.
Awards range from $5,000 to $10,000; one standard application covers all scholarship categories
Opens February 1, closes April 30 each year; recipients notified by July 1
Opens Sep 1Membership required
Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)
Amount varies
Multiple awards per cycle; one application auto-matches to eligible scholarships via AwardSpring
National · Minority
Applicants must be active OBAP members for at least 3 full calendar months before applying, be 17 or older, and reside and train within the US at FAA Part 61 or Part 141 schools. A minimum of 10 volunteer hours with OBAP and 20 hours with external organizations are required, with exemptions for students enrolled in OBAP youth programs.
Individual award amounts are not published on the program page; varies by scholarship. Over $8 million distributed to nearly 600 recipients since inception.
Spring cycle Apr 1-30, Fall cycle Sep 1-30 each year
Opens Oct 1
Sisters of the Skies
$2,500 – $15,000
Multiple awards per year across several named programs, each with a separate application.
National · Women · Minority
Applicants must be women of color pursuing professional pilot careers, from initial flight training through advanced ratings such as commercial and multi-engine. Specific awards have additional requirements (e.g., the Goetz/Holen award targets multi-engine or commercial candidates; the Rashanda Nicole Lee Memorial targets African-American women).
Individual grants range from $2,500 to $15,000 depending on the specific award; multiple scholarships offered each year at different amounts.
Fall cycle opens Oct 1 and closes Oct 15 each year; additional awards (Goetz/Holen multi-engine commercial, summer scholarship, United Aviate partnership) open and close on separate schedules throughout the year.
Opens Jan 1, 2027
Stripes to Bars
Amount varies
15 awards in 2025 cycle
National · Veterans
Open to current and former members of any US federal uniformed service with other-than-dishonorable discharge status, who hold a valid FAA medical certificate appropriate to their training goals. Funds may be applied toward any FAA pilot certificate at any flight school nationwide.
Varies by award; the 2025 cycle distributed $52,500 across 15 recipients (roughly $3,500 per award on average)
Opens Jan 1, closes Feb 28 each year; awards announced starting May 1
Opens Oct 1
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
Amount varies
National · Women
Open to women who are US citizens, at least 17 years old, and pursuing a sport pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, or additional ratings. Candidates who actively participate in aviation community activities and events are given preference. EAA chapter members are prioritized during selection, though membership is not a hard requirement.
No individual award amount published; part of EAA Aviation Foundation pool that distributed over $487,000 across 71 students in the 2025-2026 cycle
Opens Oct 1, closes Dec 19 each year; winners notified on or around Mar 2
Opens Dec 1
Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)
Up to $10,000
1 award per year
Destin, FL
Open to current AFA members (free Mission Membership qualifies) who can commit to training at Destin Flight Works in Destin, Florida. No prior flight experience is required; recipients are responsible for travel, lodging, and any training costs beyond the $10,000 award.
Up to $10,000 per recipient; covers instructor fees and aircraft rental toward a PPL
Opens Dec 1, closes Apr 30 each year; selections announced in July
Opens Feb 5, 2027
Hiller Aviation Museum
$15,000
San Francisco Bay Area, CA · Youth 16-18
Applicants must be 16 to 18 years old and reside in one of 11 San Francisco Bay Area counties. Flight training must be completed at a Part 61 or Part 141 school within the Bay Area, leading to an FAA Private Pilot Certificate.
Single award of $15,000 per recipient toward flight training costs
Opens early February, closes early April each year; awards announced in May
Opens Jan 1, 2027
Colorado Pilots Association
$2,500
2 awards per cycle
Colorado · Youth 16-18
Open to Colorado residents aged 16 to 22 who are working toward a Private Pilot Certificate. Applicants must submit an essay describing their aviation journey and goals, plus a letter of recommendation from a CFI.
Two $2,500 awards per annual cycle
Opens Jan 1, closes Feb 15 each year
Opens Oct 1
Aerospace Center for Excellence
Amount varies
Polk County, FL · Youth 16-18
Open to students aged 16 to 19 who reside in or attend a secondary school in Polk County, Florida, and hold at least a 2.75 unweighted GPA. The award supports students working toward their Private Pilot certificate.
Award amount is not published; the scholarship funds Private Pilot flight training toward the certificate.
Three windows each year (Jan 1-31, May 1-30, Oct 1-31); the next opens Oct 1, 2026.
Check dates
CloudDancer Scholarship Foundation
$17,500
5 pilot awards per cycle
National · Veterans
Must be a current active-duty U.S. service member (including Reserves and National Guard) or honorably discharged veteran, enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited aviation program, with at least a 2.5 GPA and a passing score of 80% or higher on the FAA Private Pilot written exam within the prior 12 months. Valid FAA first- or second-class medical required at application and selection.
Pilot award of $17,500 paid in four milestone-based installments (selection, first solo, solo cross-country, check ride completion). Separate AMT maintenance awards also available at $5,000 to $10,000 each but are not flight training.
Opens approximately May 1, closes approximately July 31 each year. The provider site was unreachable at this refresh, so dates are cleared pending the next published cycle.
Check dates
Commemorative Air Force
Up to $12,000
National · Youth 16-18
Open to applicants aged 16-19 who hold a valid FAA medical certificate and student pilot certificate and have passed the FAA written exam. Recipients must begin flight training within 60 days of accepting the award and complete their Private Pilot Certificate within one year.
Up to $12,000 toward earning a Private Pilot Certificate within one year
Rolling applications through local CAF units; no fixed annual open or close dates published
Check dates
Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
Up to $15,000
National
Open to undergraduate and graduate students actively enrolled in flight training at one of 14 designated ALPA partner universities (including Embry-Riddle, Purdue, University of North Dakota, Western Michigan, and others), with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and active participation in ALPA education programs on their campus.
Multiple awards totaling up to $15,000 per annual cycle; individual award amounts determined at ALPA Education Committee discretion
Annual; typically opens January 15 and closes April 30 each year; selections announced by August 15; 2026 cycle is closed and next cycle dates not yet announced
Check dates
General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
$2,000
2 awards annually
National · Youth 16-18
Open to U.S. high school seniors graduating in the current spring who have been accepted into an aviation-related degree program (including flight training, aviation management, aerospace engineering, or aviation maintenance) and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Two winners selected each year, each receiving $2,000 USD
Annual; 2026 deadline was April 24; next cycle expected spring 2027
Check dates
NBAA
$1,000 – $8,000
19+ awards across student and professional tracks
National
Open to U.S. citizens pursuing careers in business aviation, including aspiring pilots, dispatchers, maintenance professionals, and flight attendants; individual awards have varying requirements such as full-time enrollment in an aviation or aviation management program, minimum GPA standards, and in some cases attendance at a UAA member institution.
Varies by individual award; total annual student cash funding approaches $100,000 across all programs
Student and professional scholarships have staggered deadlines through the year; the most recent student cycle has closed and next dates are not yet published.
Check datesMembership required
Nebraska Business Aviation Association (NeBAA)
$1,500
National
Applicants must be current NeBAA Regular Members holding a valid US pilot certificate with Multi-Engine Land Commercial Instrument Rating, at least 500 total flight hours, and an FAA Class II Medical; US citizenship is required.
Travel reimbursement up to $1,500 upon successful completion of the ATP-CTP course; applicant pays course tuition, room, and board upfront.
Closes around Oct 31 each year; the official page still shows the closed 2025 cycle and no new date, so the deadline is cleared pending publication.
Check datesMembership required
National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA)
$1,500 – $15,000
20+ awards · one application
National · Adults · Minority
Open to active NGPA members age 18 or older; a single application is considered for every award the applicant is eligible for, spanning initial flight training through advanced ratings, CFI/CFII, plus maintenance and aviation management tracks. Flight training awards require a current FAA medical certificate (third class or higher). LGBTQ+ pilots are the primary audience; allies with documented advocacy histories may also apply.
Individual awards range from $1,500 to $15,000; roughly $115,000 total across the 2026 cycle. Includes six General Aviation awards ($5,000-$15,000), the $10,000 Elevated Access post-private award, and partner awards from FedEx, Republic, Endeavor, PSA, GoJet, LogTen Pro, and United Aviate.
Opens around Jun 1, closes around Jul 31 each year; the 2026 cycle has closed and 2027 dates are not yet published.
After the awardWhat one scholarship leaves you to fund
Private certificate
$17,955
The median award in this directory against a national Private estimate. Whatever an award does not cover, you fund some other way.
Check datesMembership required
Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA)
$2,500 – $7,500
National · Adults
Open to paid PAPA members (individual membership starts at $45/year) who are at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED; explicitly open to all backgrounds regardless of race or ethnicity, including U.S. green card holders. Funds are disbursed directly to the applicant's flight school or university.
Generally $2,500 to $7,500; varies by sponsorship level each cycle
Spring and fall windows each year; Spring 2026 closed, Fall 2026 dates TBA via newsletter
Check dates
UND Aerospace Foundation
Up to $15,000
41+ scholarships awarded since 2021; rolling slots each year
National · Adults · Veterans
Open to U.S. veterans and authorized dependents (age 17 or older before training begins) who have at least 24 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits remaining. Applicants must hold an FAA First- or Second-Class Medical Certificate and pass the Private Pilot Airman Knowledge Test before the class start date; training is conducted at the UND Aerospace Phoenix center in Mesa, Arizona and requires relocation for approximately 24 months.
Up to $15,000 toward Private Pilot Certificate training, covering approximately 70% of total training cost; recipient pays roughly $4,800 out of pocket plus a fully refundable $1,000 flight-account deposit
Rolling admissions; class cohorts start January, March, June, and September each year until slots are filled
Check dates
RTAG (Rotary to Airline Group)
Amount varies
1 award per cycle
National · Veterans
Open to U.S. military veterans or current servicemembers who are trained helicopter pilots and are transitioning to a fixed-wing airline pilot career. Applicants must submit military service documentation and a scholarship essay evaluated by the RTAG Board of Directors. Applying requires a free RTAG account; RTAG membership is free for veterans and active military.
Amount varies year to year based on RTAG's annual budget (confirmed by RTAG, July 2026); awarded at $30,000 in recent years. Paid directly to an approved training facility.
Annual; the most recent cycle has closed and winners are announced at the RTAG Convention. Next cycle dates not yet published.
Check dates
RTAG (Rotary to Airline Group)
Amount varies
Multiple awards across $500K annual pool; one application
National · Veterans
Open to currently serving U.S. military members and honorably discharged veterans pursuing fixed-wing flight training toward a commercial pilot career. Applicants must hold or be able to obtain an FAA First Class Medical Certificate and have access to a training facility and flight instructor. Applying requires a free RTAG account; RTAG membership is free for veterans and active military.
Individual award amounts not published; program targets $500,000 distributed annually across multiple awards
Annual; award winners announced at RTAG Convention each October
Check dates
University Aviation Association (UAA)
$500 – $5,000
8+ awards, separate application forms per scholarship
National · Adults
Applicants must be enrolled in an aviation or aerospace degree program at a UAA member institution. Most awards require a minimum 3.0 GPA, a faculty recommendation letter, and a written essay; at least two awards specifically target students actively pursuing flight certificates (Part 141 training or instrument/multi-engine/commercial ratings).
Individual awards range from $500 to $5,000; not all awards fund flight training directly
Opens April 1, closes early July each year (most awards). The 2026 cycle closed July 6, 2026; dates rolled to the 2027 cycle pending UAA publishing exact dates.
Check dates
Veteran Air Warriors
$7,000 – $10,000
National · Adults · Veterans
Open to honorably discharged U.S. military veterans aged 21 or older who are GI Bill eligible, hold at least a high school diploma or GED, qualify for an FAA Class 1 medical certificate, and are committed to pursuing an airline pilot career. After the initial PPL grant, VAW assists participants in using their GI Bill for instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and CFI ratings.
$10,000 allowance for zero-prior-hours PPL training; $7,000 for fixed-wing transition from rotary or other prior experience
Rolling applications, no fixed annual cycle published
Check dates
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Up to $10,000
Hawaii · Youth 16-18
Open to Hawaii residents ages 16 to 21 who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents and plan to pursue a private pilot license; applicants must be able to qualify for an FAA Student Pilot Certificate and pass a third-class medical exam.
Up to $10,000 per recipient; funded by the Ray Foundation
Annual; the 2026 cycle has closed and next cycle dates are not yet announced.
Check datesMembership required
Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA)
$2,000 – $22,200
12+ awards, one application
Chicagoland, IL
Open to students and aviation professionals committed to business aviation, with preference given to Chicagoland area residents; advanced pilot training awards require at minimum a Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument Rating and 250 or more flight hours. Recipients must hold (free) CABAA membership.
Varies by award; several awards cover full training course costs. Pilot-specific awards range from $2,000 (Professional Development) to approximately $22,200 (FlightSafety/CAE Pilot Training, 2 awards).
Annual; applications typically open in early spring with a deadline around May 31 each year
Check dates
Central Florida Business Aviation Association
Amount varies
5 awards totaling $13,000 per cycle
Florida
Open to Florida residents pursuing careers in business aviation across four categories: incoming college students and current students at Florida-based FAA or AABI-accredited aviation programs, young professionals (40 and under) seeking additional certifications or type ratings, and experienced professionals pursuing continued career development.
Five awards per cycle totaling $13,000; individual amounts vary by category
Opens approximately December 1, closes approximately April 28 each year
Check dates
Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA)
Up to $5,000
Georgia
Open to high school seniors, recent graduates, and college students enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited U.S. college or technical school for professional pilot training. Applicants must be pursuing an aviation education with a professional pilot focus; no GBAA membership required.
Up to $5,000 per award; exact amount varies
Annual; applications typically due around April 15; next cycle dates not yet published.
Check dates
Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division
$2,000 – $5,000
Multiple sponsor-funded awards, one application
Montana
Open to Montana residents pursuing any pilot certificate, rating, or endorsement (including PPL through ATP), as well as A&P mechanic training. Pilot applicants must have already soloed; preference is given to applicants enrolled in a collegiate professional pilot program.
Individual awards typically $2,000 to $5,000; the 2026 cycle distributed $63,500 total across multiple sponsor-funded awards
Applications typically open in fall; deadline around mid-November each year; awards announced January and presented at the Montana Aviation Conference in February
Check dates
The Museum of Flight (Seattle)
Up to $14,000
9 awards across 3 named scholarships (Alaska Airlines, Benjamin L. Ellison, Frank and Betty Houston), one application
Washington · Youth 16-18
High school students who are U.S. citizens residing in Washington state, at least 16.5 years old (as of March 1 of the award year), who have completed or are enrolled in Private Pilot Ground School. Some scholarships additionally require 40 or more hours of participation in Museum of Flight education programs such as Washington Aerospace Scholars or the Aeronautical Science Pathway.
Up to $14,000 per recipient, paid in three stages ($8,000, $4,000, $2,000) as training milestones are reached.
Opens mid-December each year; 2027 cycle opens mid-December 2026
Check dates
North Texas Business Aviation Association
Amount varies
Texas
Open to students enrolled in aviation programs at the University of North Texas, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Tarrant County College, Baylor University, or McKinney ISD. Award amounts are determined by the board based on financial need, application completeness, and available funds.
Varies based on number of applicants, financial need of recipient, and available funds
Annual awards; specific open and close dates not published on the official page
Check dates
Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association (ORBAA)
$5,000 – $8,500
Multiple awards per cycle through ORBAA and industry partners
Ohio · Adults
Open to students currently enrolled in Ohio collegiate aviation programs who are pursuing careers in business aviation. Covers commercial pilot certificates, CFI ratings, type ratings, and related advanced flight training.
Primary award is $8,500; industry partner awards (CAE, FSI) add supplemental funding at $5,000 and $7,500 levels for specific training programs
Annual; 2026 deadline was April 19; next cycle (2027) dates not yet published
Check dates
Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association
$5,000 – $20,000
30+ awards annually across multiple aviation career paths; one application
Pacific Northwest
Open to PNBAA members (free student membership available) pursuing careers in business aviation, including pilots seeking advanced ratings such as instrument, commercial, CFI, or ATP, as well as those pursuing aviation maintenance or other aviation vocational training in the Pacific Northwest region.
Varies by award; includes a $20,000 top award and $5,000 Career Catalyst awards among 30+ total scholarships distributed annually
Awards made throughout the year; Career Catalyst component deadline typically October 31
Check dates
Washington Pilots Association (WPA)
Amount varies
Multiple awards through 25 chapters statewide; contact your nearest WPA chapter to apply
Washington
Young aviation students in Washington state pursuing flight training or aviation careers are eligible; specific requirements, amounts, and deadlines are determined by individual WPA chapters, so applicants should contact their nearest chapter directly.
Amounts vary by chapter and are not published centrally; individual chapter awards have been as high as $1,000 (Paine Field chapter).
Annual; cycle dates and requirements are set independently by each of the 25 WPA chapters and are not published centrally
Check dates
Able Flight
Amount varies
National · Adults
Open to U.S. citizens aged 17 or older who have a physical disability that significantly impairs everyday function. Applicants provide physician documentation of the disability, hold a valid driver's license, and must be able to operate the training aircraft controls. The flagship award funds training toward a Sport Pilot certificate, with separate career-training awards toward higher ratings.
Full scholarship covering ground and flight training, testing, travel, and lodging; no single dollar figure is published (covers roughly 40 to 45 flight hours).
The program has moved to a Southern Illinois University partnership (Able Flight at SIU); the new site says application details are coming soon, so dates are cleared pending publication.
Check dates
Red Tail Scholarship Foundation
Amount varies
Alabama · Adults · Minority
Open to African American, underrepresented, and disadvantaged students pursuing a pilot or aircraft maintenance career, selected on motivation and the values the original Tuskegee Airmen embodied. Training is delivered at Red Tail Flight Academy at historic Moton Field (06A) in Tuskegee, Alabama, starting with the Private Pilot certificate, with select students continuing to instrument, commercial, and CFI.
Awarded as funded flight training at the academy rather than cash; the foundation does not publish a dollar figure.
No published deadline; applications are submitted through the foundation's online form and reviewed as students are selected.
Check dates
Alaska Airmen's Association
$3,000
Alaska
Open to Alaska residents aged 16 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing a Private Pilot certificate and planning to fly in Alaska; aimed at recreational rather than career pilots. The association offers separate professional-track awards (Christian D. Bohrer and John P. Culhane) under the same program.
One $3,000 award toward Private Pilot flight training.
Spring cycle recently closed; a fall cycle is upcoming with dates not yet posted. Historically a spring deadline around March 1.
Check dates
National Aviation Heritage Alliance (NAHA)
$1,500
Ohio (8-county National Aviation Heritage Area)
Open to applicants who live or attend school in one of the eight National Aviation Heritage Area counties in Ohio (Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Shelby, Warren), or who have completed the Air Camp program. Applicants must be able to pass an FAA third-class medical or hold a valid Ohio driver's license; the award funds Private Pilot or Light Sport flight lessons.
One $1,500 award toward Private Pilot or Light Sport flight lessons.
Annual; the most recent cycle closed in early spring and the next cycle dates are not yet published.
Check datesMembership required
Whirly-Girls International
$3,700 – $20,000
28+ awards per season (~$560,000)
National · Women
Open to women who are current Whirly-Girl or Associate members, pursuing or advancing helicopter ratings from initial certificate through ATP, plus type ratings and safety courses. Membership required; each award has its own requirements.
28 scholarships worth over $560,000 in the 2026 season. Cash flight-training awards run about $3,700 to $20,000 (Edward M. Thurn Memorial $20,000; Initial/Add-On and Memorial $8,000 each; Bristow $7,500; Lora Trout $6,000); many additional awards are in-kind type-rating, maintenance, and safety courses. Mid-year awards carry a $25 application fee.
Main season opens in August each year (a separate mid-year cycle is open through July 31, 2026). Exact main-season open and close dates are published when the August listing posts; confirm then.
Check dates
Virginia Department of Aviation
$1,000
Virginia
Open to Virginia residents pursuing a Private Pilot certificate or a CFI endorsement at a Virginia flight school, who hold a current FAA medical certificate and a student or pilot certificate. Free to apply.
$1,000 toward ground school and flight lessons; may be used once for a Private Pilot certificate and once for a CFI endorsement.
Annual; the state does not post a fixed deadline online and asks applicants to contact DOAV for current dates.
Check dates
Western North Carolina Pilots Association Educational Foundation
From $500
Two pilot grant tracks (Program A certificate or rating, Program B intro lessons)
Western North Carolina
Open to residents of Western North Carolina who demonstrate an interest in aviation and financial need. Program A funds pursuit of a pilot certificate or rating from recreational through ATP, including instrument; Program B reimburses up to $500 for introductory or discovery flights. A separate mechanic track is not flight training. Free to apply.
Program B provides a $500 reimbursement for introductory lessons; Program A funds a certificate or rating and does not publish a fixed figure.
Annual; the 2026 application process has closed and next cycle dates are not yet posted.
Check dates
Minnesota Youth Aviation Foundation
Amount varies
Southern Minnesota · Youth 16-18
Open to Southern Minnesota high school students who will be at least 17 years old in the summer following the application window and hold an FAA medical certificate. The program supports earning a Private Pilot certificate. Free to apply.
Award amount is not published; the program funds training toward a Private Pilot certificate.
Annual; the 2026 window has closed and 2027 dates are pending.
Check dates
Massachusetts Business Aviation Association
$2,000 – $5,000
Massachusetts · Adults
Open to Massachusetts residents or students attending a Massachusetts training institution who are enrolled in an FAA-approved flight school pursuing a Commercial, ATP, or Flight Instructor certificate, with a minimum 3.2 GPA. The association also funds some non-pilot aviation tracks. No membership or application fee is required.
Awards typically range from $2,000 to $5,000.
Annual; the 2026 cycle closed July 16 and next cycle dates are not yet posted.
Closed · reopens next cycleMembership required
Women in Aviation Tampa Bay Chapter
$2,500
2 flight-training awards + 1 written-exam reimbursement per cycle
Tampa Bay, FL · Adults · Women
Open to women who are active members of both the Women in Aviation Tampa Bay chapter and Women in Aviation International, are at least 18 years old, and are actively pursuing flight training. Two $2,500 flight-training awards are paid directly to the recipient's flight school; a separate award reimburses up to $175 in written (knowledge) exam fees. Members are encouraged to apply to both. Applications go through the Tampa Bay chapter directly, not the national WAI scholarship portal.
Two $2,500 flight-training scholarships paid directly to the winner's flight school, plus one written (knowledge) exam fee reimbursement of up to $175.
2026 cycle: opens July 1, closes August 16, winners announced September 1. Funded annually through chapter fundraising; dates are set each cycle.
Closed · reopens next cycle
MAPA Safety Foundation (Mooney Aircraft Pilots Association)
Amount varies
National
Open to students already enrolled in and at least halfway through a qualifying program in flight training, aircraft maintenance, aviation engineering, or airport management systems, with a minimum 3.5 GPA. Requires an aviation-safety essay of at least 250 words, two recommendation letters, and an official sealed transcript, submitted by mail.
The award amount is not published on the foundation's scholarship page.
Applications are due August 15 of the application year, every year.
