Lyons Aviation Foundation Private Pilot Scholarship
The Lyons Aviation Foundation · National

Section 1What the Lyons Foundation publishes
Amounts, dates and eligibility change between cycles. Always confirm on the provider's page before applying.
Section 2Deadline reminders
Open now, with no close date posted.
Windows like this can shut without much notice. Leave your email and we'll flag changes here, plus deadlines on other verified awards.
Section 3What this award leaves to fund
- This award
- $1,500
- Private certificatePilotBound national estimate
- − $18,083
- Left to fund
- $16,600
All six lenders in our comparison lend this much. Stack whatever else you can win first, then price only what is left.
Compare lenders →Section 4Who this is for
Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 16 to 24 on April 25 of the award year who do not already hold a Private Pilot certificate for airplanes, can obtain an FAA third-class medical, meet FAA English-language standards and have no criminal convictions. Training is completed at a local flight school approved by the Foundation.
Section 5How to apply
- Read the full requirements on The Lyons Aviation Foundation's official page. 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.
Section 6Price your school
Selection boards fund plans with a school and a number in them. Every figure below is what the school itself publishes, with the source and the date it was checked.
Local flight schools
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Degree programs
51 aviation colleges, with tuition and flight fees summed into one estimate.
Section 7Also worth a look
Section 8Quick answers
How much is the Lyons Aviation Foundation Private Pilot Scholarship?
The published award is From $1,500. Awards start at $1,500 and can cover the full cost of a Private Pilot course; the board selects at least one recipient a year and more when funding allows.
When is the Lyons Aviation Foundation Private Pilot Scholarship deadline?
Applications open September 16, 2026. Opens September 16 each year and closes in mid January (the 2026 window closed January 17; the 2027 close date is not yet posted). Applications are mailed, not submitted online, and funds must be used within eight months.
Who is eligible for the Lyons Aviation Foundation Private Pilot Scholarship?
Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 16 to 24 on April 25 of the award year who do not already hold a Private Pilot certificate for airplanes, can obtain an FAA third-class medical, meet FAA English-language standards and have no criminal convictions. Training is completed at a local flight school approved by the Foundation.
How do I apply for the Lyons Aviation Foundation Private Pilot Scholarship?
Apply for free on The Lyons Aviation 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.