Scholarships

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has long been one of the most influential general aviation organizations out there. As an industry advocate for general aviation, AOPA provides a variety of services and information to pilots and aircraft owners at all levels. To help promote general aviation, AOPA supplies scholarships to students earning a recreational, sport, or private pilot license. The number and amounts of scholarships vary from year to year but range from $3,000 to $5,000. Scholarships are based on merit, goals, and dedication to flight training.

The Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles program has been helping young people achieve their dreams of flight for years. The Young Eagles program offers a multitude of scholarships to its members to put toward flight training or toward tuition for EAA Air Academy Sessions. Scholarship types and amounts vary, and are given to both pre- and post-high school students with a desire to learn to fly and/or begin a career in aviation.

Not just for women, Women in Aviation International offers the largest number of scholarships for both men and women in aviation. Scholarships range from initial flight training to airline transport training. In the past, many airlines have offered type rating scholarships as well as job offers to qualified candidates. Whether you're just beginning your flight training or looking to further your career, WAI is sure to have a scholarship for you.

The NGPA offers scholarships to prospective pilots that have demonstrated support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in some way. Scholarship winners are not chosen based on sexual orientation but are chosen against a set of criteria including aviation achievements, potential, motivation, teamwork, and leadership, among others. There is one scholarship valued at $6,000 and typically two $3,000 scholarships, but the amounts and types vary based on funding.

The 99s is an international society of women pilots, and the organization has offered scholarships to members since 1941. There are five different scholarships you can apply for: initial flight training, type rating, academic scholarship, technical training, and emergency maneuver training. The 99s also offers a research grant and a New Pilot award. A recommendation from the chapter is needed to apply.

The OBAP provides a number of scholarship opportunities to help airline-oriented pilots. You must already have a private pilot license to apply for flight scholarships and are evaluated on an essay submission, letters of recommendation, professional development, and a face-to-face interview. Participation in OBAP is weighed heavily, also. Membership is not limited based on ethnicity; anyone that believes in the mission of OBAP may join.