Take Flight This Fall: Five Scholarship Opportunities for Aspiring Aviation Students

As college campuses gear up for a bustling fall semester and aviation activities resume at full throttle, a multitude of new scholarship opportunities are becoming available for aspiring aviation professionals. Whether you are looking to significantly reduce the costs of tuition, books, or training, this list provides both currently open and future scholarships that are the perfect way to lighten the load on your wallet.  

1.) Women in Aviation International 

In the past 30 years, WAI has disbursed millions of dollars to its members to help them get ahead and advance into the aviation and aerospace careers they have always dreamed about.  

There is an award available for individuals at all levels of aviation experience, from the college student to the woman or man returning to the workforce, from managers and dispatchers to pilots, engineers, technicians, and mechanics. Specific application or submission requirements may vary depending on the scholarship.  

General Application Requirements: 

1. You must be a current member of Women in Aviation International by October 1, 2024, and your membership must not expire before March 2025.  

2. Two (one-page) letters of recommendation—letters may not be from family members 

3. One 500-word essay focused on why a scholarship will help you achieve your goals  

4. Resume (no more than two pages) 

5. If applying for a flight training scholarship, please include copies of your aviation and medical certificates and the last three pages of your pilot logbook 

Application Deadline: October 11th, 2024 

Application Link: Apply Now - Women in Aviation International (wai.org) 

2.) ISA+21  

The International Society of Women Airline Pilots has supported the airline dreams of passionate women aviators from around the world, by proudly awarding over $1.5 Million in advanced flight training and other professional programs to date. In 2024, ISA+21 has awarded 12 scholarships valued over $60,000. ISA+21 offers a variety of financial aid, including financial scholarships, type rating scholarships, memorial scholarships, and international conference scholarships. 

General Application Requirements: Application requirements vary depending upon the type of scholarship. 

Application Deadline: November 1st, 2024 

Application Link: Scholarship | ISA+21: International Society of Women Airline Pilots 

3.) Joyce Lin Foundation 

JLMF is offering a $5,000 scholarship to be awarded to a pilot who is pursuing an advanced rating. The recipient of this scholarship should strive to use their aviation skills to help others. This scholarship will be awarded to the individual who most shares our friend, Joyce Lin’s passion for flying for the furtherance of humanitarian goals. 

General Application Requirements:  

1. Possess at least a sport pilot rating 

2. Essay that shows your humanitarian ambitions and how this money will help you achieve your goals. 

3. Description of required training to achieve goal 

4. Proof of current flight review or practical test within 2 years 

5. Copies of driver’s license and any pilot certificate 

6. Letter of recommendation from someone in the aviation industry or from someone in your specific field of interest for humanitarian work 

Application Deadline: September 30th, 2024 

Application Link: 2024 Scholarship Application Open! – Joyce Lin Foundation 

4.) AOPA Foundation Scholarship Program (Upcoming) 

Made possible through donations to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation, the more than $1 million in scholarships available are a major benefit of AOPA membership, helping members reach their aviation goals. Scholarship applications range from $2,500 to $14,000 for primary flight training, advanced ratings/certificates, aviation maintenance, and more.  

General Application Requirements:  

1. Open to AOPA members that are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent legal residents. 

* Some scholarships also require applicants to meet additional criteria (see link below) 

Application Opens: September 9th, 2024 

Application Link: AOPA Flight Training Scholarships - AOPA 

5.) EAA Post Secondary Scholarships (Upcoming) 

Through many generous donors, EAA awards more than $150,000 in scholarships for students attending a post-secondary institution with a focus on aviation, including pilot training, aeronautics engineering, aviation management, airframe and powerplant (A&P) maintenance, and more. You do not need to be a current EAA member to apply for a scholarship. 

General Application Requirements:  

1. Must be at least 16 years of age 

2. One non-relative character reference 

3. Unweighted GPA using a 4.00 scale 

4. Transcript 

*Selection criteria vary based on individual scholarships; please use the link below to read about individual scholarships. 

Application Opens: November 1st, 2024 

Application Link: EAA Post-Secondary Scholarships | EAA 

Scholarships are not just awards—they offer tangible relief from the financial pressures of higher education. With a variety of application deadlines and several new opportunities emerging throughout the fall, now is the perfect moment to explore your options. In addition to the scholarships mentioned, do not forget to look out for college-specific scholarships. For those attending Oklahoma State University; these typically open on the first day of November. Good luck with your applications—may you wrangle in some great opportunities and ride high toward success! 

Mags Off, 

The Flying Cowgirls 

written by Sydney Skinner