Best Aviation Scholarships & How to Get One

By Neil Glazer | Last updated July 2026

Are you sick and tired of trying to figure out how to pay for your flight training or aviation-related degree? You yearn for someone to simply see your passion, recognize your dedication, and decide to give you free money to pursue your flight dreams.

You may have even started calculating how many years of waiting tables it will take to put yourself through flight school.

Here is the good news: there are a whole plethora of agencies, individuals, and organizations that have dedicated funds to helping put prospective pilots and aviation professionals through school. You do not have to come up with the money all on your own. Below is our regularly reviewed list of the best aviation scholarships, along with who qualifies and how much each is worth, so you can start applying to as many as possible.

Best aviation scholarships at a glance

Award amounts, eligibility, and deadlines are set by each sponsoring organization and change from year to year. Always confirm the current details on the official scholarship page before applying.

The 13 best aviation scholarships, in detail

1. National Aviation Explorer Scholarships

The National Aviation Exploring Committee awards multiple scholarships each year to members who are studying the technologies and skills needed in the field of aviation and who best demonstrate the traits that lead to success in the industry. Awards run up to $10,000, with several specialized (pilot, avionics, maintenance, and management) categories. To apply, you must be a registered and active member of an Aviation Explorer post.

Amount: up to $10,000

2. Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship

One of the longest-standing aviation scholarships is the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, established in 1938. This $10,000 fellowship is awarded to up to 30 women each year. Recipients must be women pursuing a Ph.D. or doctoral degree in aerospace engineering or space sciences. Applications typically close in mid-November.

Amount: $10,000

3. LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Flight Training Scholarship

LeRoy Homer Jr. was the first officer of United Airlines Flight 93 on the morning of September 11, 2001. This scholarship is given in honor of his memory and the memory of the rest of the crew and passengers who fought back against the hijackers. The award funds a private pilot certificate (roughly 45 to 65 hours of flight time, a value under $17,000) for U.S. citizens or permanent residents ages 16 to 23 who plan to fly professionally and do not yet hold a private pilot certificate. The application window runs late October through January 31.

Amount: private pilot flight training (value under $17,000)

4. Michigan Takes Flight: Become a Pilot Training Scholarship

If your short-term aviation dreams revolve around general aviation and earning a private pilot certificate, the Become a Pilot scholarship from non-profit Michigan Takes Flight is a great fit. It is intended to increase the number of aviation career candidates and help them earn an initial pilot certificate. Confirm the current award amount and requirements on the official page before applying.

Amount: toward an initial pilot certificate (confirm current value on the site)

5. Clay Lacy Foundation Scholarships

In 1968, Clay Lacy founded a private jet charter company that went on to great success. The Clay Lacy Foundation gives back by supporting the next generation of aviation professionals, funding both aspiring aircraft mechanics and professional pilots. Awards are administered through partner schools and colleges, so amounts and eligibility vary by program.

Amount: varies by partner program

6. NGPA Scholarships

The National Gay Pilots Association provides support, advocacy, community, and resources for its members as it works to expand opportunities for LGBTQ+ aviation professionals. Members and airline partners sponsor a range of scholarships, including Higher Education, Commercial Certificate, and Instrument Rating awards in the $3,000 to $6,000 range, plus larger industry-sponsored awards. You must be an NGPA member to receive an award.

Amount: $3,000 to $6,000 (higher for some industry-sponsored awards)

7. AOPA Flight Training Scholarships

AOPA is one of the premier membership organizations for pilots, and its You Can Fly program awards a large slate of scholarships every year. High school students ages 16 to 18 can win awards of $12,000 toward a private pilot certificate, while additional awards for adult learners and advanced ratings range up to about $14,000. No matter where you are on the certification path, AOPA likely has a scholarship for you. You must be an AOPA member (free for eligible high schoolers).

Amount: $12,000 to $14,000

8. EAA Flight Training Scholarships

Many members of the Experimental Aircraft Association have a burning desire to pass it forward and help the next generation of aviators. These donors fund a group of scholarships, most worth at least $5,000, with Ray Aviation Scholarships worth up to $12,000. Applicants must be at least 16 and a citizen or resident of the United States or Canada (or eligible to study there). The application window generally runs October through December.

Amount: $5,000 to $12,000

9. NBAA Scholarships

The National Business Aviation Association supports professionals across the full spectrum of business aviation careers, including pilots, maintenance professionals, schedulers, dispatchers, flight attendants, and flight technicians. NBAA Charities awards a mix of cash and training scholarships each year. Look into NBAA opportunities if your aviation goals extend beyond the cockpit.

Amount: varies (up to about $10,000 across programs)

10. UAA Scholarships

The University Aviation Association provides an open forum for students, faculty, and staff of collegiate aviation programs. Its Collegiate Aviation Scholarship catalog lists numerous awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. To be eligible, you generally must be enrolled at a UAA member college or university with an FAA-approved program.

Amount: $500 to $5,000

11. Whirly-Girls International

There are some fantastic niche scholarships out there, and if you meet the eligibility requirements they are well worth applying for. Whirly-Girls International is an association for women helicopter pilots. Each season it offers dozens of scholarships, with flight training awards worth up to roughly $8,000. If you are a prospective or current female helicopter pilot, explore the Whirly-Girls offerings.

Amount: up to about $8,000 (varies by award)

12. Astronaut Scholarship Foundation

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was created to help the United States maintain its leadership in science and technology by supporting some of the very best science, technology, engineering, and math college students. The program was seeded by the Mercury 7 astronauts. Today, applicants can receive up to $15,000. Note that this is a STEM research scholarship: students are nominated by faculty at affiliated universities rather than applying directly.

Amount: up to $15,000

13. VAI Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship

If you are pursuing your commercial helicopter certification, listen up. This award (formerly the HAI Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship, now run by Vertical Aviation International after HAI rebranded to VAI in 2024) provides $10,000 toward a commercial helicopter rating. Applicants must be VAI members who already hold a private helicopter certificate and are enrolled in a commercial rating program at an FAA-approved school. Recipients also receive complimentary registration to VERTICON (formerly HAI HELI-EXPO).

Amount: $10,000

Find even more aviation scholarships

On a roll and want to keep those applications going? The FAA maintains lists of aviation grants and scholarship opportunities, and both AOPA and EAA publish searchable scholarship directories. Remember, the donors sponsoring these scholarships share your love of aviation and genuinely want to help you break into or advance in this industry. Let your passion and excitement shine through in your application and you will be one step closer to realizing those dreams.

Gear up once you win: study and flight-training essentials

Scholarship money almost always goes toward tuition, flight hours, and testing fees, not toward your personal gear. Once your funding is lined up and you are ready to start training, these are the study materials and cockpit tools most students buy first. Browse our full Flight Training and Ground School Materials collection for everything you need to get started.

Prices shown are current as of July 2026 and may change. Shopping for a headset? Compare options in our aviation headsets collection.

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Frequently asked questions about aviation scholarships

Are aviation scholarships worth applying for?

Absolutely. With individual awards commonly worth $3,000 to $15,000, a single scholarship can cover a meaningful chunk of a private pilot certificate or a semester of an aviation degree. Many applicants skip smaller or niche awards, which means less competition for those who do apply.

How many aviation scholarships should I apply for?

As many as you genuinely qualify for. Applying is usually free, and each application increases your odds. Reuse and tailor a strong personal statement, line up your recommendation letters early, and keep track of each deadline so nothing slips.

Do I have to be enrolled in college to get an aviation scholarship?

No. Some awards, such as AOPA and EAA flight training scholarships and the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation scholarship, are aimed at individuals pursuing certificates and ratings outside of a college program. Others, like UAA and the Astronaut Scholarship, require college enrollment. Check each program's eligibility rules.

What is the largest aviation scholarship available?

Among the awards on this list, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation offers up to $15,000 for STEM students, and AOPA high school flight training scholarships are worth $12,000. The Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship and the VAI Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship each award $10,000.

Are there aviation scholarships specifically for helicopter pilots?

Yes. Whirly-Girls International supports women pursuing helicopter ratings, and the VAI (formerly HAI) Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship awards $10,000 toward a commercial helicopter rating for pilots who already hold a private helicopter certificate.

Can I use scholarship money to buy a headset or study materials?

Usually not directly. Most aviation scholarships pay tuition, flight hours, or testing fees rather than personal equipment. Plan to buy your own study materials and gear, such as FAA handbooks, a kneeboard, and a headset, from our flight training materials collection.

About the author

Neil Glazer is a commercial pilot (multi-engine and instrument rated) and the owner of Pilot Mall. He works with student and professional pilots every day and writes about flight training, aviation careers, and the gear that helps pilots succeed. Learn more about Neil Glazer.

Did you find this article helpful? Do you think we missed an important scholarship? Let us know in the comments below.