How to Pay for Flying (and other jobs that involve playing with airpla

September 03, 2020

How to Pay for Flying (and other jobs that involve playing with airplanes): Aviation Scholarships

UPDATED September 2020.

Thank you to Ambassador Chapter 99s member Emily Kruse for getting this list started, two years ago. Last year, the ever-lovely Pilot Annie also just posted a blog with some more details about some of these scholarships. We have another blog post with scholarship tips and financial advice if you have not been awarded a scholarship. Please reach out to fellow pilots, and especially your chapter leadership (in the case of 99s scholarships) to help you prepare your application. Treat it like a job application. It really is that important.

AOPA

https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/students/flight-training-scholarships

Primary and Advanced training scholarships for AOPA members. 2020 window was January -March. Stay tuned for 2021 deadlines.

https://www.eaa.org/eaa/learn-to-fly/Scholarships

"EAA invites those who are interested in pursuing flight or a career in aviation or aviation related/STEM fields. We encourage individuals who are well-rounded, involved in their school or community, and interested in the world of aviation to apply for an EAA Scholarship."

Sept. 1, 2020 – Nov. 1, 2020: Flight Training Scholarships* (for those starting flight training Jan. 1 – June 30)
Nov. 15, 2019 – Jan. 31, 2020: Post Secondary Scholarships*
March 1, 2021 – June 1, 2021: Flight Training Scholarships* (for those starting flight training July 1 – Dec. 31)
Sept. 1, 2021 – Nov. 1, 2021: Flight Training Scholarships* (for those starting flight training Jan. 1 – June 30)

Fly Girl Foundation

https://flygirlllc.com

Annual scholarships, plus some specialty scholarships.

The Flying Musicians

www.flyingmusicians.org

Previous guidelines: Select scholarships; open to high school juniors or seniors, must be age 16; must have a recommendation from music director; funds for up to 15 hours of flight time for first solo flight.

I Hart Flying Foundation

https://www.ihartflying.org

Various scholarships and deadlines. Last deadline was July 2020.

Ladies in Flight Training

https://www.flylift.org/p/lift-scholarships.html?m=1

2020 Deadline closed. Stay tuned for future scholarships, sometimes in collaboration with other organizations. The Facebook group is one of the best places to actively engage with this community.

Lady Aviators

https://www.instagram.com/ladyaviators/

First scholarship deadline closed. Stayed tuned for future scholarships from this new 501(3)(c) that supports women in all divisions of aviation.

Ninety-Nines

www.ninety-nines.org

Select scholarships; must be a chapter member

Fly Now Awards: Must have a 99 mentor, April 1 and October 1 application deadlines with a requirement of three months of membership prior to deadline, student pilot certificate (which includes your medical) or international equivalent if overseas and 5 hours of flying within the six months prior to the application deadline and show financial need

Amelia Earhart: college (academic), technical, and flight, January 1 application deadline; must have been a member for one full year by January 1 (Exception: For Kitty Houghton Memorial Scholarships and Vicki Cruse Emergency Maneuvers Training, there is no length of membership limitation. Student Pilot members may apply ONLY for the Fly Now Award or the Kitty Houghton Memorial Scholarship.); valid class and current medical; applicant must have logged a minimum of five hours in the six months immediately preceding the applicant’s submission deadline.