Aviation Flight Training scholarships can give an aspiring pilot the financial advantage they need to reach their full potential. With just a little boost, any person can take flight.
At Inflight, we want to give student pilots the chance to fly no matter what financial situation they may be in. If you’re looking for information on how to apply for an aviation scholarship, you’ve come to the right place – let’s get started!
Prepare for Takeoff
Aviation presents many exhilarating and appealing career paths, whether you want to pilot jumbo jets, fly emergency rescue missions, work as a plane mechanic or become an air traffic controller. When learning to fly, it’s important to understand the costs that come with it. Any degree in the aviation field can come with its fair share of expenses, such as tuition, flight costs, textbooks and more.
To avoid crippling student loan debt, apply for scholarships which will help defer the costs of flying and a give you a higher return on investment. The good news is that most aviation students are some of the most intelligent and driven students, meaning they have a strong chance of winning scholarships from inside as well as outside their normal discipline.
Applying for Aviation Flight Training Scholarships
When searching for financial support, you should first identify the ideal scholarship that will best serve your aviation ambitions. Below is a list of some of the most popular scholarships for aspiring aviation professionals and a short description of eligibility requirements, award amounts and more. Use this list to pinpoint the perfect one for you and follow the guidelines or click on the link to apply.
List of Aviation Flight Training Scholarships
Jan Jones Memorial Scholarship
The Jan Jones Memorial Scholarship provides a grant to be applied towards aerobatic training.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a female
- Must hold private pilot certificate
- Must use the scholarship for aerobatic flight training
Amount Awarded: $2,000.
Application Deadline: Applications received by December 31 are reviewed the following January by a selection committee. Selections are made in February.
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Scholarships
Every year, the NBAA awards approximately $200,000 in scholarships for both students and working professionals. There are over a dozen scholarships offered by the NBAA for aviation enthusiasts to take advantage of. Whether you’re a freshman in college, a professional pilot, a maintenance mechanic or a flight dispatcher, you can find a number of different options in financial aid for your upcoming or continuing education.
University Aviation Association (UAA) Scholarship Listing
The UAA offers three different scholarships that are targeted towards both aviation student applicants as well as working professionals.
Two scholarships, valued at $1,000, are granted to student applicants that are presently enrolled at a UAA member school.
Amount Awarded: $1,000
Application Deadline: April 2018
This annual scholarship grants $500 to those students enrolled in an aviation-related program at a UAA member school.
Amount Awarded: $500
Application Deadline: June 2018
This scholarship awards men and women currently in an aviation or aerospace field.
Amount Awarded: Various
Application Deadline: May 2018
Women in Aviation International (WAI) Scholarship
Women in Aviation strives to award scholarships to aspiring female pilots or aviation professionals. WAI has provided its members with millions in financial aid to help them advance into the perfect aviation and aerospace career.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a member of Women in Aviation International by November 1, 2017.
- Applicant may apply for no more than three scholarships (internships are not included in the three per member scholarship limit).
Amount Awarded: Various
Application Deadline: Begins in July and runs through November 13, 2017.
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics Scholarship
The goal of this scholarship is to support students who want to pursue a career in avionics or aircraft repair.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Available to high school seniors and/or college students who plan to or are attending an accredited avionics or aircraft repair program.
Amount Awarded: $1,000
Application Deadline: April 1, 2018
National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Scholarships
The National Air Transportation Foundation (NAFT), an organization that controls the research and educational sector of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), offers various types of scholarships for the aviation enthusiast. Consider any of these scholarships when searching for financial aid:
Awarded to initial or primary flight training students that are presently enrolled in an aviation program.
Amount Awarded: $2,500
Application Deadline: Last Friday in November
For sophomore or junior year college students that are currently enrolled in a full-time aviation degree program at an accredited four-year college or university.
Amount Awarded: $1,000
Application Deadline: Last Friday in December
For graduating high school seniors that are enrolled or have been accepted into an aviation-related program at an accredited college or university.
Amount Awarded: $2,500
Application Deadline: Last Friday in June
Awarded to those NATA member company employees that are enrolled in a continuing education program for career advancement in general aviation.
Amount Awarded: $2,500
Application Deadline: Last Friday in December
For college students that presently hold a private pilot’s certificate and are enrolled in a flight program through an accredited college or university.
Amount Awarded: $1,500
Application Deadline: Last Friday in March
Garmin–Jerry Smith Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is geared towards high school, college or vocational/technical school students who are attending or who plan on attending an accredited avionics or aircraft maintenance program.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be an undergraduate student
- Must attend a two-year college or a technical school
- Must study full-time
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Restricted to students studying Trade/Technical Specialties or Aviation/Aerospace
Amount Awarded: $1,000
Application Deadline: Feb 15th, 2018
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Scholarships
This program provides aid to those studying the technologies and skills of aviation. With EAA’s extensive list of annual scholarships and various award offerings, students are given the appropriate boost to accomplish their flying goals, whatever they may be.
These scholarships are for those pilots-in-training that still haven’t gotten their wings.
EAA Air Academy camps, hosted in Oshkosh, WI offers opportunities to explore the world of aviation.
With these, you can boost your post-high school education with the help of college-level aviation scholarships.
Get the Scholarship You Need to Take Flight
No matter what type of financial situation you may be in, scholarships present a strong opportunity to pursue your dreams of becoming an aviation professional. By this time next year, you could be soaring through the sky without the hassle of crippling student debt, if you can apply for (and win) an aviation scholarship.
If you’d like more information about learning to fly, or have any questions about the costs of becoming a professional aviator, contact Inflight today to learn how we can help you achieve your goals. Get in touch to get started.
