Aviation scholarships
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NBAA Charities Scholarships

NBAA

$1,000 – $8,000

19+ awards across student and professional tracks

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

Ashton Johnson Memorial CloudDancer Scholarship

CloudDancer Scholarship Foundation

$17,500

5 pilot awards per cycle

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.

NGPA Scholarships

National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA)

$1,500 – $15,000

20+ awards · one application

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.

Women in Aviation Tampa Bay Chapter Scholarship

Women in Aviation Tampa Bay Chapter

$2,500

2 flight-training awards + 1 written-exam reimbursement per cycle

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.

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.

Ray Aviation Scholars (EAA)

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

$6,000 – $12,000

~$2.25M distributed annually through local EAA chapters

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

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Wings

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

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

Women in Aviation International Scholarships

Women in Aviation International

$3,000 – $5,000

50+ awards per cycle, one application covers up to three scholarships

Open to current WAI members of any age, gender, or background whose membership remains active through at least March 2027; applicants may apply for up to three scholarships per cycle, with offerings spanning 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

Women Military Aviators Dream of Flight Scholarship

Women Military Aviators

$2,500

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

Ag Wings of Tomorrow Scholarship

National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA)

$5,000

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.

Epic Flight Academy Annual Aviation Scholarships

Epic Flight Academy

$5,000 – $20,000

12 pilot awards per annual cycle (1 at $20,000, 11 at $5,000)

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

Ninety-Nines First Wings Award

The Ninety-Nines, Inc. (International Organization of Women Pilots)

Up to $6,000

Semiannual award; two cycles per year

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

NeBAA Flight Training Scholarship

Nebraska Business Aviation Association (NeBAA)

$1,500

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.

APA Scholarship Program

Arizona Pilots Association

Amount varies

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

Able Flight Flight Training Scholarship

Able Flight

Amount varies

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).

Work Ethic Scholarship Program

mikeroweWORKS Foundation

Amount varies

One trade-wide application; aviation is one of many eligible fields

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.

Pioneers of Flight Scholarship

National Air Transportation Foundation

$1,000

2 awards per year

Open to college sophomores and juniors enrolled full-time in an aviation degree program at an accredited four-year institution, with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must demonstrate interest in pursuing a career in general aviation.

$1,000 per recipient; two awards granted annually

Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships (Ninety-Nines)

The Ninety-Nines

Up to $20,000

~20 awards across multiple scholarship types per annual cycle; one application covers all types

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

Joe Stancil Jr. Flight Training Scholarship

Alaska Airmen's Association

$3,000

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.

Richard L. Taylor Flight Training Scholarship

National Air Transportation Foundation

$1,500

1 award per year

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.

GBAA Professional Pilot Scholarship

Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA)

Up to $5,000

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

National Aviation Explorer Scholarships

Exploring (Learning for Life / BSA)

$5,000 – $10,000

Multiple awards, one application

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

AOPA Foundation Flight Training Scholarships

AOPA Foundation

$250 – $14,000

Large umbrella program with hundreds of named awards per year; one application covers all eligible 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.

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

EAA Flight Training Scholarships

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

Amount varies

71 awards · one application

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

LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Flight Training Scholarship

LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation

Up to $17,000

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

LPA Flight Training Scholarship

Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA)

Amount varies

12 awards · one application

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

OBAP Aerospace Scholarships

Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)

Amount varies

Multiple awards per cycle; one application auto-matches to eligible scholarships via AwardSpring

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

Sisters of the Skies Scholarships

Sisters of the Skies

$2,500 – $15,000

Multiple awards per year across several named programs, each with a separate application.

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.

Stripes to Bars Scholarship

Stripes to Bars

Amount varies

15 awards in 2025 cycle

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

UAA Collegiate Aviation Scholarships

University Aviation Association (UAA)

$500 – $5,000

8+ awards, separate application forms per scholarship

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.

WomenSoar Scholarship

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

Amount varies

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

AFA Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship

Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)

Up to $10,000

1 award per year

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

CFBAA Foundation Scholarship

Central Florida Business Aviation Association

Amount varies

5 awards totaling $13,000 per cycle

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

Hiller Aviation Museum Flight Training Scholarship

Hiller Aviation Museum

$15,000

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

Walt and Terry Barbo PPL Scholarship

Colorado Pilots Association

$2,500

2 awards per cycle

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

Lyons Aviation Foundation Private Pilot Scholarship

The Lyons Aviation Foundation

From $1,500

Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 16 to 24 who do not already hold a Private Pilot certificate for airplanes, can obtain an FAA third-class medical, and meet FAA English-language standards. Training is completed at a Foundation-approved local flight center.

Awards start at $1,500 and can cover the full cost of a Private Pilot certificate.

Opens mid-September, closes mid-January each year; funds must be used within eight months.