Are you researching for aviation scholarships to be a pilot? You can always try your luck and go through the exceptional pilot scholarship options discussed below.
"I need some aid for flight training because I can’t pay that much, so are there any scholarships or grants that I can get?" - A msg I received in my Instagram DM's.
Several aviation enthusiasts cannot afford to study aviation as it is too costly. They still want to achieve their dream, so they look for a sponsored route.
Top Aviation Scholarships in the USA:
In 2020, the median income for airline pilots was $130,440, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For students, this makes flying an extremely lucrative career route. There are aviation scholarships and flight training scholarships available to help with the cost of your studies in the U.S
$2500 Future of Aviation Scholarship:
All the High School juniors, seniors, and undergraduate students interested in becoming pilots or pursuing professions in aviation are eligible. Students can get a $2,500 amount in the scholarship and the last date to apply is May 14, 2022. The winners are announced on June 15, 2022.
Check it out and apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships/future-of-aviation-scholarship/
AAAE Native American Scholarship:
The AAAE Foundation has awarded over 3,100 scholarships worth $5.3 million since 1989. To be eligible for an award of a minimum of 1000$, you need to be:
- A current college junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in an aviation program at an accredited two- or four-year college/university in the United States or Canada.
- A Native American origin and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Check it out and apply here: https://www.aaae.org/aaae/AAAEMember2020/AAAEMember2020/About-/AAAE_Foundation.aspx#scholarships
Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships:
They have two scholarships that can help you in your journey:
1.0 AE Flight Training Scholarship:
Covers up to $20,000 for one pilot training course, certificate, rating or type rating.
2.0 AAE Academic Scholarship:
Up to $10,000 scholarship towards one year of a college degree in aviation or aerospace. Students may re-apply for continuing support through graduation.
Check both of them and apply here:
https://www.ninety-nines.org/scholarships.htm
AeroClub of New England’s Aviation Scholarship Program:
Scholarships are awarded annually to full-time U.S. Citizens or permanent residents and also be a resident of a New England state in the U.S.
The scholarship is for pilot training and includes students interested in aircraft maintenance, powerplant and aviation management.
The scholarship amount is variable.
Check it out and apply here:
https://www.acone.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=779885&module_id=284129&sl=1573953049
RAA Scholarship Program:
The Regional Airline Association Scholarship Program aims to assist with the education of individuals who are studying for a career in the airline industry by providing financial support.
The amount of the award is 4000$ with three annual scholarships granted.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be officially enrolled in an accredited college or university in a program leading to a career in the airline industry at the time of application and award. However, applicants from other fields can be considered.
- Possess a minimum cumulative 3.0-grade point average on a 4.0 scale at the time of the application.
- Submit a 350 words essay describing your interest in aviation.
- A college or university faculty recommendation must accompany the application.
- Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States.
Check it out and apply here:
https://www.raa.org/scholarship/scholarship-application/
Bill Cowden Memorial Aviation Scholarship:
Each year, one scholarship of up to $1,500 is given in this program. Applications are accepted from March 15th through May 15th of each year.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
- 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.
- The 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 must submit a one-page, typewritten essay giving their reasons for pursuing advanced training in aviation.
- Available to pilots in the Midwest, limited to: ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, MI, IN, and OH.
Check it out and apply here:
https://cfdunncounty.org/funds-2/scholarships/cowden-aviation/
EAA Flight Training Scholarships 2022:
EAA Flight Training Scholarships 2022-2023 are fully funded scholarships open for international students.
A minimum award of $5,000.
You are required to submit three essays of 150-250 words, each answering the following questions:
- Why are you the best candidate to receive this award?
- In the next year, what do you hope to gain from receiving this award?
- How will this opportunity help you to reach your long-term goals? Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Here are the key dates for this year’s scholarship cycles:
- March 1, 2022 – June 1, 2022
- November 1, 2022 – closing March 1, 2023
Check it out and apply here:
https://www.eaa.org/eaa/learn-to-fly/scholarships/eaa-flight-training-scholarships
Top Aviation Scholarships in Canada
LIFT Aviation Scholarship:
WWFC established the LIFT scholarships to support student pilots financially. Six LIFT Scholarships are available for 2022, valued at $2,500 each. They will be awarded to six students who are continuing their flight training at Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC).
To qualify for a LIFT scholarship, you must:
- Be a WWFC student in a post-secondary aviation program, including stand-alone CPL;
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- A student in an advanced phase of the program (must hold at least a PPL); and
- A student who has not previously been awarded a LIFT Scholarship.
Check it out and apply here:
https://wwfc.ca/lift-scholarship/
Private Air Aviation Scholarship:
The scholarship is available to Conestoga College or the WWFC Aviation Program students. The interview session will be conducted for the interested students, and only one will have the opportunity to get it.
The scholarships are specifically for second-year students with outstanding academic records. It is a full-fledged scholarship program that the students would like to avail themselves of. Also, an amount of $500 will be awarded to the students.
Check it out and apply here:
https://wwfc.ca/private-air-scholarship/
Top Aviation Scholarships in Europe:
L3Harris Aviation Scholarship – The AIR:
The Pilot Pathways Aviation Industry Recovery (AIR) Scholarship is offered to young and aspiring pilots. The total Scholarship fund is £30,000, and cadets are offered the option to receive up to £10,000 towards the cost of Integrated ATPL training.
After applying, you will undergo an interview. If successful, you will need to submit a 500 words essay on your desire to become a pilot and why you think you are deserving of the Pilot Pathways AIR Scholarship.
Check it out and apply here:
https://l3harrisairlineacademy.com/en-gb/pilot-training/aviation-industry-recovery-scholarship/
FTEJerez Full Funded ATPL Scholarship:
The scholarship is designed to cover 100% of FTE’s Airline First Officer Programme fees. It covers EVERYTHING, training, accommodation, uniform and all materials needed, even the medical examination. The scholarship is open for two successful candidates, valued at €119,500.00 each.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
- Open to EU and UK nationals.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have completed high school studies.
- Fluent in English.
- Be in good health.
- Clean criminal record.
Check it out and apply here:
https://www.ftejerez.com/scholarship
FAS Pilot Academy Aviation Scolarship:
FAS Pilot Academy provides a scholarship for pilot training starting from 3.000€ up to 35.000€ for the academic year 2021-22 to 24 candidates in order to cover part of the tuition fees of the Air Transport Pilot License.
There are five types of scholarships available:
Yalyssos:
A 3.000€ Scholarship to the next twelve successful candidates.
Kamiros:
A 5.000€ Scholarship to the next nine successful candidates.
Lindos:
A 10.000€ Scholarship to the third successful candidate.
Rhodes:
A 15.000€ Scholarship to the second successful candidate.
Colossos:
A 35.000€ Scholarship to the first successful candidate.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
- All applicants must be European Union citizens, holders of a passport or national id of a European Union country.
- Be in very good health.
- Know and speak good English (You will be tested using the TOEFA exam)
- At least 18 years old.
- Must have completed your basic school education. If you have a college or university degree, even better, but this is not necessary.
Check out the scholarships and apply here:
https://scholarships.fas.gr/en
Before you go:
You might like this series of articles that I wrote on how to become a pilot here.
References:
AAAE FOUNDATION Scolarships. AAAE Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.aaae.org/aaae/AAAEMember2020/AAAEMember2020/About-/AAAE_Foundation.aspx
ACONE SCHOLARSHIPS. Aero Club Of New England. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.acone.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=779885&module_id=284129&sl=1573953049
Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Application – Academic Scholarship. Ninety-Nines. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.ninety-nines.org/userfiles/file/AEMSF/2022AcademicFinal.pdf
Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Application Flight Training. Ninety-Nines. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.ninety-nines.org/userfiles/file/AEMSF/2022AEFlightTrainingScholarshipApplication.pdf
Aviation Industry Recovery Scholarship. L3Harris Airline Academy. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://l3harrisairlineacademy.com/en-gb/pilot-training/aviation-industry-recovery-scholarship/
Bill Cowden memorial aviation scholarship. Community Foundation of Dunn County. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://cfdunncounty.org/funds-2/scholarships/cowden-aviation/
EAA flight training scholarships. EAA. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.eaa.org/eaa/learn-to-fly/scholarships/eaa-flight-training-scholarships
Ftejerez ATPL scholarship opens. Flight Training News. (2021, December 3). Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.ftnonline.co.uk/2021/12/03/ftejerez-atpl-scholarship-opens/
Fully sponsored airline First Officer Programme launched by ftejerez. iCadet.com. (2021, December 8). Retrieved May 2022, from https://icadet.com/fully-sponsored-airline-first-officer-programme-launched-by-ftejerez/
Future of aviation scholarship. Bold.org. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://bold.org/scholarships/future-of-aviation-scholarship/#ref=exclusive-scholarships
Lift scholarship. Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://wwfc.ca/lift-scholarship/
Raa Scholarship Application. Regional Airline Association. (2022, April 5). Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.raa.org/scholarship/scholarship-application/
Scholarships for aviation training. scholarships.fas.gr. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2022, from https://scholarships.fas.gr/en
