Aviation Scholarships
and Grants

Fly into your future with aviation scholarships. Take advantage of higher education at one of more than 300 aviation colleges and schools. With the right information and preparation, you can earn aviation scholarships to help pay for your educational goals.

Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA)

(Gabriel A. Hartl, Lawrence C. Fortier Memorial, Full-Time Employee Student & Buckingham Memorial)
Open to students pursuing a baccalaureate degree or advanced degree in aviation

Contact Information:
Air Traffic Control Association, Inc.
Attn: Scholarship Fund
1101 King Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 299-2430
Fax: (703) 299-2437
http://www.atca.org/ATCA-Scholarship

Amount of Award: $1,500 – $2,500
Application Deadline: May 1st
Number of Awards: varies
Duration of Award: 1 year

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation

Open to students(college juniors or seniors) enrolled in and plan to continue a college curriculum leading to a degree in the field of aviation.

Contact Information:
1.800.872.2672
AOPA
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, Maryland 21701

Amount of Award: $2,500 and $14,000
Application Deadline: February 10, 2023

WAI

(Airbus A320 Type Rating Certificate Scholarships, Airbus Leadership Grant, Airline Dispatcher’s Federation Scholarships, Airline Ground Schools, Inc., American Airlines Travel Awards Scholarships, Boeing Company Career Enhancement Scholarship, Bombardier Lear Jet 31A pilot type rating Scholarship, Cessna “Earn a Private Pilot’s Certificate” Scholarship, Cessna Scholarship for Citation Encore Type Rating, Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation Scholarship, Delta Air Lines Aviation Business Management Scholarship, Delta Air Lines Boeing B737-800 Type Rating Certificate Scholarships, Delta Air Lines Engineering Scholarships, Delta Air Lines Engine Maintenance Internship, Elisha Hall Memorial Scholarships – Wright Chapter, Express Jet Airlines Regional Jet Transition Course, FedEx Express Flight Scholarship, FedEx Express Flight ATP Scholarship, FedEx Express Technical Operations Scholarship, From Rose to Rise Scholarship, If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It – Scholarship, Kathy K. Hodgkins Memorial Scholarship, Keep Flying Scholarship, New Horizons Memorial Scholarship, O D Clemmer Memorial Scholarship, Pratt & Whitney Maintenance Scholarships (6), R-W Foundation, Ride the Sun, Sporty’s Foundation, Telex Flight Training Scholarship, Women in Aviation Management Scholarship, Women in Aviation, International Achievement Award, Women in Corporate Aviation Career Scholarship, Women Military Aviators – Dream of Flight Scholarship, Yeager Award and more… )
Open to Women in Aviation, International(WAI) members

Contact Information:
[email protected]
Women in Aviation, International
Morningstar Airport
3647 State Route 503 South
West Alexandria, OH 45381-9354
Phone: (937) 839-4647
Fax: (937) 839-4645
https://www.wai.org/apply-now

Amount of Award: varies
Application Deadline: November
Number of Awards: varies
Duration of Award: 1 year

NHA Scholarship Fund

Open to undergraduate students interested in a career in aviation.

Contact Information:
Naval Helicopter Association
The NHA Scholarship fund
P.O. Box 180578
Coronado, CA 92178-0578
Phone: (619) 435-7139
Fax: (619) 435-7354
[email protected]
http://www.nhascholarshipfund.org/

Amount of Award: $3,000
Application Deadline: January 31st
Number of Awards: varies
Duration of Award: 1 year

National Aviation Explorer

(Categories: Degree Leading to an Aviation Profession, Avionics, Pilot, Maintenance and Management)
Open to Aviation Explorers studying the technologies and the skills needed in the field of aviation.

Contact Information:
Learning for Life
National Office
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75105-2079
Phone: (972) 580-2418
Fax: (972) 580-2137
http://exploring.learningforlife.org/ or https://explorenow.org/Youth-Members

Amount of Award: $3,000 – $10,000
Application Deadline: March 31
Number of Awards: 5
Duration of Award: 1 year

Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation

Open to undergraduate students who are officially enrolled at NBAA/University Aviation Association (UAA)-member institutions.

Contact Information:
National Business Aviation Association
1200 18th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 783-9250
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.nbaa.org/prodev/scholarships/ginocchio/

Amount of Award: $4,500
Application Deadline: July 31
Number of Awards: 5
Duration of Award: 1 year

See also Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management ScholarshipNORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage ScholarshipWilliam M. Fanning Maintenance ScholarshipDonald A. Baldwin Sr. Business Aviation Management ScholarshipUAA Janice K. Barden Aviation ScholarshipExxonMobil Aviation and the Avitats International Operators Scholarship and U.S. Aircraft Insurance Group PDP Scholarship from their website.

Daedalian Foundation Matching Scholarship Program

Open to college and university students who are pursuing a career as a military aviator.

Contact Information:
Kristi Cavenaugh: [email protected]

Phone: (210) 945-2113
Fax: (210) 945-2112
http://www.daedalians.org/foundation/scholarships

Amount of Award: $2,000
Application Deadline: none
Number of Awards: up to 99
Duration of Award: 1 year
See also Descendant scholarshipsEgan Scholarship and Funding for the Civil Air Patrol from their website

Amelia Earhart Memorial

Open to member of the 99s who are interested in training and education in aviation and aerospace, including scholarships to complete additional pilot certificates and ratings, jet type ratings, college degrees, and technical training

Contact Information:
Shelley Ventura: [email protected]
202 West Trail
Grayslake, IL
60030 USA
http://www.ninety-nines.org/index.cfm/scholarships.htm

Amount of Award: up to $3,000
Application Deadline: March 15th
Number of Awards: varies
See Also AE Research Scholar GrantsNew Pilot Awards and The Maule Tailwheel Training Award from their website.

George E. Haddaway

Might be discontinued. see their website for other scholarship opportunities. Open to students pursuing a baccalaureate degree or advanced degree in print, film, broadcasting, design, or electronic communication and have an interest in aviation.

Contact Information:
Communities Foundation of Texas
ATTN: George E. Haddaway Scholarship
5500 Caruth Haven Lane
Dallas, Texas 75225-8146
Phone: (214) 750-4222
Fax: (214) 750-4210
[email protected]
http://www.cftexas.org/scholarship

Amount of Award: $2,500
Application Deadline: May 1st
Number of Awards: 1
Duration of Award: 1 year

AHS/Industry Annual Student Design Competition Award

An annual helicopter design competition in an effort to promote student interest in vertical flight

Contact Information:
AHS International
Ms. Kay Brackins, Deputy Director
217 N. Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2538
Phone: (703) 684-6777
Fax: (703) 739-9279
E-mail: [email protected]
https://vtol.org/education/student-design-competition

Amount of Award: varies
Application Deadline: Letters of intent by February
Number of Awards: Varies
Duration of Award: 1 year

Kansas Aviation Scholarship

KAAA

Open to Kansas students recommended by a member of Kansas Agricultureal Aviation Association who are interested in a career in the field of aviation, agricultural, aricultural business or engineering.

Contact Information:
KAAAScolarship Committee
c/o Brenda Gross
353 K19 Hwy N.
Larned, KS 67550
Phone: (620) 285-2071
http://www.ksagaviation.org/ or http://www.ksagaviation.org/files/library/Scholarship%20packet.pdf

Amount of Award: $1,000
Application Deadline: March 15
Number of Awards: 1
Duration of Award: 1 year

Virginia Aviation Scholarship

John R. Lillard VAOC

Open to Virginia high school seniors planning a career in the field of aviation, and must be enrolled or accepted into an aviation related program at an accredited college

Contact Information:
VAOC Scholarship
c/o Virginia Department of Aviation
Attn: Betty Wilson
5702 Gulfstream Road
Richmond, VA 23250-2422
Phone: (800) 292-1034
http://www.doav.virginia.gov/scholarship

Amount of Award: $3,000
Application Deadline: March 13th
Number of Awards: 1
Duration of Award: 1 year

Willard G. Plentl

Open to Virginia high school seniors who are planning an aviation career in a non-engineering area

Contact Information:
Plentl Scholarship
c/o Virginia Department of Aviation
Attn: Betty Wilson
5702 Gulfstream Road
Richmond, VA 23250-2422
Phone: (800) 292-1034
http://www.doav.virginia.gov/scholarship_plentl

Amount of Award: $1,000
Application Deadline: March 13th
Number of Awards: 1
Duration of Award: 1 year

What Happens at Aviation Colleges and Schools?

Aviation colleges and schools provide a specialized environment for this unique learning and training experience. Aviation scholarships make it possible to prepare for a successful career in a variety of exciting fields. Both classes and hands-on training provide educational benefits to help you secure the job of your dreams. Based on your career preferences, aviation scholarships may cover all or part of your educational expenses.

How Long Will I Attend the School?

The length of time you attend aviation school depends on your career goals. An Associate Degree takes up to two years and a Bachelor’s Degree takes up to four years. Specific certifications to further your career may only take a few months. Aviation programs allow you to earn a degree, aviation diploma, certificate, rating or degree to start working in this exhilarating field.

How Do I Prepare and Apply?

Preparing and applying for Aviation College is much like other institutions of higher learning. Maintain excellent grades and participate in extracurricular activities to put yourself on the top of the heap for aviation scholarships. Carefully review the application process for your chosen aviation schools. Make sure to fulfill all requirements including academic background, essays and application forms.

What Majors Are Offered?

Aviation careers are diverse with many possible majors opening up entire new worlds. Before applying for aviation scholarships, consider your preferred course of study including:

  • professional flight management;
  • power plant and airframe technology;
  • aviation electronics or aviation maintenance technician;
  • safety science to ensure safety in all aspects of flight;
  • aviation computer systems and electronic systems;
  • airport, airline and aviation management;
  • air traffic control and management;
  • aerospace administration, maintenance and technology;
  • flight dispatch and scheduling;
  • avionics management;
  • aviation science, technology and administration;
  • flight operations and management;
  • international air and transportation management;
  • professional pilot;
  • aeronautical science and technology; and
  • meteorology.

Take Flight With Aviation

Do you want to fly a plane with hundreds of passengers? Would you prefer to direct planes and control air traffic? Are you mechanically inclined to work on airplanes and aviation equipment? There are literally hundreds ways to take flight with a rewarding career in aviation. From behind the scenes to behind the controls, aviation scholarships help make your future goals a reality.