Niche College Scholarship

Aviation Scholarships

Young female Asian Aviation student in cockpit with headset and microphone

Aviation is a thrilling and vastly appealing profession. With job opportunities ranging from flying innovative aircraft to working in air traffic control, the field encompasses a wide range of interests and exciting challenges. Naturally, you are going to face some financial challenges along the way. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for you to obtain a degree in aviation. Scholarships and grants can defer the costs of flying and aid you in eliminating general college expenses such as tuition and books. Specific aviation scholarships exist, several of which are listed below.

Get matched to Scholarships that fit you. Find Scholarships Now. Completely free. Vetted college scholarships

However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for you to obtain a degree in aviation. Scholarships and grants can defer the costs of flying and aid you in eliminating general college expenses such as tuition and books. Specific aviation scholarships exist, several of which are listed below. Additionally, due to the rigor involved in their academic program, aviation students are some of the most talented, level-headed, and dedicated college students, and thus they stand a particularly strong chance of winning scholarships from outside their discipline, as well.

Conduct a free scholarship search on Scholarships.com to see all the aviation scholarships and other scholarship opportunities you qualify for based on the information you provide in your profile. The aviation scholarships listed below are only a small sample of what’s out there, but hopefully they will start you down the path to finding scholarships and funding your aviation education.

Aviation scholarships offer mentorship opportunities, connecting recipients with experienced professionals who provide guidance and support to help them succeed in the aviation industry.

Aviation scholarships are essential for aspiring pilots to receive financial aid and mentorship, helping them achieve their career goals in aviation.

Private Pilot Licensing Scholarships

Scholarships are available for private pilot licensing to assist with flight training and certification costs. Eligibility requires being at least 17, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and having a high school diploma or equivalent. Deadlines for applications are usually in the spring or fall, and the scholarships can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The funds can be used for flight training, exams, and related expenses. Some scholarships may have additional qualifications, like a minimum number of flight hours or a certain GPA. These scholarships can support aspiring pilots with a passion for aviation and a commitment to a career in the field.

Scholarships play a crucial role in assisting aspiring pilots in achieving their goals by reducing the expenses of flight training and certification. Moreover, many of these scholarship programs provide mentorship opportunities, enabling recipients to connect with experienced pilots and receive valuable guidance and support throughout their training and career. Ultimately, these scholarships offer financial aid and support for individuals pursuing a career in aviation.

Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering Scholarships

Get money for studying aerospace/aeronautical engineering! SAE International has scholarships just for you. All you need to do is meet the academic, leadership, and SAE activity requirements. Don't worry about missing out, deadlines vary but are usually in the spring. The application process is simple, just submit your transcripts, recommendations, and an essay. And here's the best part, these scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000 and can even be renewed. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity, sponsored by SAE International.

The AIAA Foundation provides scholarships for aerospace engineering students. To be eligible, students must be AIAA members, have a strong academic record, and have career goals in the aerospace industry. The application deadline is in the spring, and applicants need to submit transcripts, recommendation letters, and a personal statement. The scholarships have varying values and some can be renewed. The AIAA Foundation sponsors these scholarships.

These scholarships provide financial assistance for students studying aerospace/aeronautical engineering and can be renewed in subsequent years. Students interested in aerospace engineering are advised to explore these opportunities and thoroughly review the eligibility criteria and application requirements.

Air Traffic Control and Flight Operations Scholarship Programs

Achieve your dreams of being an air traffic controller or flight operations professional with NATF scholarships! To get the Air Traffic Control Scholarship, you need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled in an accredited college or university studying air traffic control. Just send in your application, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

The Flight Operations Scholarship Program is for U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in college studying flight operations. Applicants must submit an application, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

Scholarship programs are available for those interested in air traffic control and flight operations. They provide financial aid and mentorship, making education more affordable and offering guidance from industry professionals. Students considering these careers should apply for these valuable opportunities.

CAP Cadet Flight Scholarships

  • Amount $5,000
  • Deadline January 15, 2024

Since Civil Air Patrol’s formation during the earliest days of World War II, this vigilant organization of citizen Airmen has been committed to service to America. Founded on Dec. 1, 1941, to mobilize the nation's civilian aviation resources for national defense service, CAP has evolved into a premier public service organization that still carries out emergency service missions when needed — in ... Read more

LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Scholarship

  • Amount Varies
  • Deadline January 31, 2024

LeRoy Homer was the First Officer on Flight 93, which was hijacked and crashed in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. The mission of The Foundation is to continue LeRoy’s love of flight by encouraging young men and women who wish to pursue aviation careers as professional pilots. The Foundation will award flight instruction scholarships to potential students for private pilot certification. ... Read more

Bud & Katherine Rae Aviation Scholarship

  • Amount Varies
  • Deadline February 9, 2024

The Bud and Katherine Rae Aviation Scholarship was organized by friends of the late Bernard “Bud” Rae in 1983 to honor his many years of service to the aviation community. The purposes of the scholarship are to assist in preparation for an aviation career, to promote safety in aviation through education, training and research, to promote scientific study of aviation-related phenomenon, to develop ... Read more

United Advisory Scholarship Commission Scholarship - Donald R. McGee Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount Varies
  • Deadline February 9, 2024

Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our ... Read more

GRCF Joshua Esch Mitchell Aviation Scholarship

  • Amount Varies
  • Deadline March 1, 2024

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Joshua Esch Mitchell Aviation Scholarship is offered to a US citizen who is enrolled full or part-time at a college or university in the United States providing an accredited flight science curriculum. Applicants must be second year students or above or a first year student graduating from West Michigan Aviation Academy with a minimum 2.75 GPA pursuing ... Read more

EAA Post-Secondary Scholarships

  • Amount Varies
  • Deadline March 1, 2024

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is a growing and diverse organization of members with a wide range of aviation interests and backgrounds. Founded in 1953 by a group of individuals who were interested in building their own airplanes, EAA expanded its mission of growing participation in aviation to include antiques, classics, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft, ultralights, helicopters, and ... Read more

Becky Burrows Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount $1,000
  • Deadline March 15, 2024

The Becky Burrows Memorial Scholarship Fund provides aid to students who are reentering the job market, beginning “second careers,” or seeking to improve their professional skills for their current occupation by continuing their education in that field. Students must pursue courses of study that further Pilot International’s mission to transform communities through education and service in the ... Read more

Marie Newton Sepia Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount $1,000
  • Deadline March 15, 2024

Applicants of the Marie Newton Sepia Memorial Scholarship must have received a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any country where Pilot clubs exist. Applicants may be full or part time students, whose courses will, in the judgment of the Scholarship Division, be proper background courses for teaching and working with disabled children. Postgraduate work or research ... Read more

AAAE Native American Scholarship

  • Amount $1,500
  • Deadline March 17, 2024

Since 1989, the AAAE Foundation has issued over 3,250 scholarship checks totaling more than $5.7 million, making the organization one of the largest supporters of higher education assistance in the entire aviation industry. The AAAE Foundation offers a number of scholarships aimed at supporting our Accredited Airport Executives (A.A.E.s) and their families, as well as scholarships to support the ... Read more

Richard L. Taylor Flight Training Scholarship

  • Amount $1,500
  • Deadline March 29, 2024

Applicants of the Richard L. Taylor Flight Training Scholarship must be: a senior in high school planning a career in the general aviation field; a enrolled in an accredited college/university; enrolled in a flight program through the college/university with aspirations to become a professional pilot (general or commercial aviation); have a private pilot's license - a copy must be included in ... Read more

Chuck Peacock Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount $1,000
  • Deadline April 1, 2024

The Chuck Peacock Memorial Scholarship is offered to recognize the importance of management skills and is available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an aviation management program. Scholarship applicants must have at least a cumulative 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Scholarship monies must be used to cover the cost of ... Read more

Air Line Pilots Association Scholarship

  • Amount $12,000
  • Deadline April 1, 2024

One 4-year undergraduate college scholarship is awarded each year. The total monetary value is $12,000 with $3,000 disbursed annually to the recipient for four consecutive years, provided that adequate academic standing is maintained (3.0 GPA). Although the program envisions selection of a student enrolling as a college freshman, eligible individuals who are already enrolled in college may also ... Read more

Captain Jeff Kuss Aviation Scholarship

  • Amount Varies
  • Deadline April 15, 2024

The Wingman Foundation was started in 2014 by Marine Aviators who recognized the need to take care of our own. In the past, we have provided for the families of those involved in flying mishaps, combat or otherwise, by ad hoc fundraising, “passing around the hat” in our Ready Rooms, and leaning on other organizations for support. We plan to change that. In addition to helping families defray the ... Read more

National Aviation Explorer Scholarships

  • Amount $10,000
  • Deadline April 30, 2024

The National Aviation Exploring Committee awards individual scholarships annually to aviation explorers pursuing a career in the aviation industry. The intent of these scholarships is to identify and reward those individuals who best exemplify the qualities that lead to success in the aviation industry. . Applicants' descriptions of their personal records should show that they can successfully ... Read more

Bill Cowden Memorial Aviation Scholarship

  • Amount $1,500
  • Deadline May 15, 2024

Criteria of Eligibility: Available to Private Pilots of all ages; This scholarship is specifically to promote advanced training in aviation. Applicants must already hold a current Private Pilot Certificate; Scholarship is to be used toward advanced training in aviation; Applicant must provide a professional resume, and include one letter of recommendation related to aviation skills. Applicants ... Read more

TSGC Columbia Crew Memorial Undergraduate Scholarships

  • Amount $1,000
  • Deadline May 15, 2024

The TSGC Columbia Crew Memorial Undergraduate Scholarships are intended to recognize high-quality students and encourage their consideration of graduate studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields which will ultimately lead to careers in STEM related fields. To be eligible, applicants must: be citizens of the United States; and be registered for at least a half-time course ... Read more

Navigate Your Future Scholarship

  • Amount $2,500
  • Deadline June 28, 2024

The Navigate Your Future Scholarship is offered to a high school graduate continuing their education in the aviation industry. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must: be enrolled or accepted into an aviation-related program at an accredited college or university; submit their letter of acceptance from the college or university; and be able to demonstrate an interest in pursuing a ... Read more

Santa Rosa Ninety-Nines Aviation Scholarship

  • Amount $4,000
  • Deadline July 1, 2024

Each year, the Santa Rosa chapter of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots awards a scholarship to a local woman pilot. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide funds to be used for a specific rating or certificate in flight training and/or continuing education to further the recipient’s pursuit of a career in aviation. Eligible applicants must be at least 17 years old, ... Read more

HCBA Colonel Archer B. Battista Veterans Scholarship

  • Amount $1,000
  • Deadline July 1, 2024

Applicants for this scholarship must be a veteran with an Honorable Discharge or a current member of the United States Military and must be admitted for the upcoming year to an accredited law school. The scholarship is based on merit and financial need. The applicant must be admitted for the upcoming academic year to an accredited law school. The applicant must be a veteran with an Honorable ... Read more

Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship

  • Amount Varies
  • Deadline July 7, 2024

The NBAA Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Committee is dedicated to promoting education and training as a means for business aviation flight attendants and flight technicians to enhance their professional careers. To support this position, NBAA offers aspiring and current flight attendants/flight technicians the opportunity to receive scholarships in conjunction with numerous donors. Donors ... Read more

Alaska Airmen Scholarships

  • Amount $5,000
  • Deadline July 31, 2024

The Alaska Airmen are proud to support the growth of aviation as an industry and lifestyle. We partner with aviation legends to award scholarships each year, designed with the next generation of aviators in mind. We all know how expensive the aviation industry is, which is why we are so excited to give over ten thousand dollars towards a career in aviation. Our scholarships are as diverse as the ... Read more

Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship

  • Amount $1,000
  • Deadline August 15, 2024

GlobalAir.com is passionate about supporting the future of aviation. The purpose of the Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship is to provide $1,000 annually to four American students who are dedicated to blogging on a weekly basis about flight training, flying, school and their interest in aviation. Applicants must be U.S. citizens currently enrolled in a fully accredited university aviation ... Read more

MBTA Educational Foundation Scholarships

  • Amount Varies
  • Deadline September 22, 2024

The MBTA has a separate 501(c) 3 charitable foundation that awards scholarships through the MBTA Educational Foundation. Most of the money raised for the scholarships comes from the Foundation’s annual Super Raffle. Preference may be given to students attending Maine universities or colleges, apart from the Millard Pray Scholarship which goes to students affiliated with CPM Constructors. ... Read more

Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship

  • Amount $10,000
  • Deadline November 15, 2024

Recognizing the legacy of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, established in 1938, aims to support women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. This $10,000 Fellowship is granted annually to 30 exceptional women and can be utilized at any accredited university or college offering post-graduate courses in these fields. With a rich ... Read more

Last Reviewed: December 2023