AOPA Foundation Flight Training Scholarships
AOPA Foundation · National
$250 – $14,000
Large umbrella program with hundreds of named awards per year; one application covers all eligible scholarships.
Free to apply. Amounts and dates come from the provider's official page on the date shown; always confirm there before applying.
At a glance
- Award
- $250 – $14,000 (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.)
- Status
- Opens Oct 1
- Deadline
- December 31, 2026
- Opens
- October 1, 2026
- Cycle
- Spring cycle Apr 1 to Jun 30, Fall cycle Oct 1 to Dec 31 each year
- Who it's for
- Women, Open to all
- Age
- All ages
- Certificates
- Private (PPL), Instrument, Commercial, Any certificate or rating
- Region
- National
- Membership
- Paid membership in the host organization is required to apply
Who this is for
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. Applying requires paid membership in the host organization; the application itself is free.
How to apply
- Read the full requirements on AOPA Foundation's official page, including the membership requirement. Applying is free.
- Line up the slow pieces early: recommendation letters, transcripts, and any medical or student pilot certificate the provider asks for.
- Write the essay with numbers, not passion: name your certificate goal, your school, your hours so far, and exactly what this award covers. Build your plan so every figure in the essay is real.
Also worth a look
AOPA Foundation Flight Training Scholarships: quick answers
How much is the AOPA Foundation Flight Training Scholarships?
The published award is $250 – $14,000. 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. One application cycle covers multiple awards (Large umbrella program with hundreds of named awards per year; one application covers all eligible scholarships.).
When is the AOPA Foundation Flight Training Scholarships deadline?
The deadline on the provider's official page is December 31, 2026. Applications open October 1, 2026. Spring cycle Apr 1 to Jun 30, Fall cycle Oct 1 to Dec 31 each year.
Who is eligible for the AOPA Foundation Flight Training Scholarships?
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. Applying requires paid membership in the host organization; the application itself is free.
How do I apply for the AOPA Foundation Flight Training Scholarships?
Apply for free on AOPA Foundation's official page. There is no application fee, and no legitimate aviation scholarship charges one or asks for your Social Security number. Have your essay, recommendation letters, and any required certificates ready before the window opens.
Scholarships rarely cover the whole bill. See how students finance the gap →