Top aviation scholarships for you

The Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship provides one AFA member a scholarship toward pilot training courses, instructor fees, and aircraft rental, leading to a private pilot's license at the Destin Flight Works school in Destin, Florida. If an applicant is a current or recent student, a transcript showing their current GPA and area of study is required. Per FAA requirements, the student must be 16 years old to fly solo and 17 years old to obtain a private pilot certificate. There is no upper age limit. Applicants must be a current AFA member. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association offers the Edward W. Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award annually as part of its commitment to advancing careers in general aviation. An applicant must be a current student at a U.S. high school, graduating in the Spring of 2025. They must be accepted to and enrolling in an institution for an aviation-related degree program (e.g., flight training, aviation management, aerospace engineering, aviation maintenance). Applicants must submit a maximum of two letters of recommendation. Applicants will be assessed on their academic achievements, involvement in extra-curricular activities, and their essay question responses. Applications must be submitted through mail or email, electronic submissions are preferred. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The CEPA PAPA Scholarship & Safety Foundation Academic Scholarship is open to all Chicago Executive Pilots Association members. Please be sure to include your CEPA membership number on the Official Application. Applicants must be a student at an institution of higher education in any professional aviation program (flight, management, maintenance, avionics, etc.) and have completed their first year of studies. One letter of recommendation from the applicant's student advisor and one letter of recommendation from an individual outside of aviation who can attest to the applicant's character (and not a member of your family) must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Heinemann Americas Aviation Scholarship covers educational and related costs for women and/or minority students who wish to enter the aviation industry. Applicants must participate in community activities and extracurricular activities. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Airport Minority Advisory Council for more information.

The CABAA Maintenance Committee Financial Scholarship will be awarded to a student seeking a degree in aviation maintenance. This scholarship is open to both graduating high school seniors and current college-level students. Preference is given to Chicagoland area residents or students. Applicants must major in an aviation-related field like aerospace engineering, aircraft maintenance, avionics/aircraft electronics, etc. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field. Applicants must include at least three letters of recommendation by people other than the applicant's relatives or students. At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of the applicant's professors is preferred. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association for more information.

The Ken Johnson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior graduating in spring and entering college in the fall seeking a degree in aviation. Scholarship funds will be made out to both the student and their university, to be used to pay tuition or fees for aviation specific programs. Applicants must major in an aviation-related field and have accepted or will accept enrollment at a four-year university or a two-year college. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field. Applicants must include at least three letters of recommendation by people other than the applicant's relatives or students. At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of the applicant's professors is preferred. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association for more information.

CABAA, together with independent vendors FlightSafety and CAE, will award two applicants with advanced training toward a career in business aviation. One recipient will receive the FlightSafety Maintenance Initial course (Citation or similar). One recipient will receive the CAE Maintenance Initial Course (Citation or similar). This course is designed to meet the training requirements of aviation maintenance professionals maintaining each respective aircraft. Preference given to Chicagoland area residents or students. Applicants must hold or will hold a current A&P license. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field. Applicants must include at least three letters of recommendation by people other than the applicant's relatives or students. At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of the applicant's professors is preferred. Applicants must also be able to participate in a face-to-face interview with the selection committee in June or July 2025. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association for more information.

CABAA, together with independent vendors FlightSafety and CAE, will award two applicants with advanced training toward a career in business aviation. This year, both awards will be a Citation series SIC course. Preference given to Chicagoland area residents or students. Applicants must hold or will hold a current Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating and more than 250 hours total time. Applicants must have no history of aircraft accidents. Applicants must also demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field. Applicants must include at least three letters of recommendation by people other than the applicant's relatives or students. At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of the applicant's professors is preferred. Applicants must also be able to participate in a face-to-face interview with the selection committee in June or July 2025. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association for more information.

The Lawrence C. Fortier Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students enrolled in an aviation-related program of study leading to a Bachelor's or advanced degree. Applicants must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited college or university and planning to continue enrollment the following year. They must have a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours still to be completed before graduation. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation. They may select anyone from their community who they believe can best address their strength of personal character and their commitment to volunteer service. College students must submit official transcripts of all college coursework. College students with less than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours must submit official transcripts of all college coursework and official high school transcript. High school students or graduates must submit official high school transcripts. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Air Traffic Control Association Inc. for more information.