Aviation Scholarships
You never have to pay back aviation scholarships or grants.
✈️ Believe it or not, there are **hundreds of thousands of dollars in aviation scholarships** available every year—waiting to be claimed by students just like you. Whether you're training to be a pilot, an aircraft mechanic, an aerospace engineer, or even pursuing a career in airport operations, there's financial help out there for you.
We’ve done the hard part and gathered a list of aviation scholarships, sorted by type and eligibility. Each one has its own set of rules, application steps, and deadlines, so be sure to read the details carefully. Some scholarships are geared toward women, veterans, underrepresented minorities, or specific aviation career paths.
💡 Most aviation scholarships are **completely free to apply for**, though a few may require a small application or membership fee (usually under $20). But the potential rewards—sometimes up to $10,000 or more—are absolutely worth the effort.
🎓 If you're planning to attend or already enrolled in an aviation college or university, don’t forget to file your FAFSA! You could be eligible for the **Federal Pell Grant**, which provides up to $7,395 per year to help cover your tuition and expenses. That’s free money from the government—no repayment needed.
📌 Explore the full list of scholarships below and start applying today. Your aviation career could take off faster than you think—with a little help from someone who believes in your future.
| # | Scholarship Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zed Factor Fellowship | Fellowship for underrepresented students in aerospace fields. | Aerospace / Diversity |
| 2 | Brooke Owens Fellowship | Paid internships and mentorship for undergraduate women in aerospace. | Aerospace / Women |
| 3 | Patti Grace Smith Fellowship | Fellowship for Black undergraduate students pursuing aerospace careers. | Aerospace Engineering |
| 4 | Amelia Earhart Fellowship (Zonta International) | $10,000 fellowship for women pursuing doctoral degrees in aerospace-related fields. | Aerospace Engineering / Women |
| 5 | Professional Aviation Maintenance Association Scholarship | Supports students studying aircraft maintenance or aviation technology. | Aircraft Maintenance |
| 6 | AEA Educational Foundation Scholarship | Offers scholarships to students pursuing careers in avionics or aircraft maintenance. | Aircraft Maintenance |
| 7 | AWAM Scholarship Program | Scholarships for women in aviation maintenance fields. | Aircraft Maintenance |
| 8 | Air Traffic Control Association Scholarships | Financial aid for students pursuing degrees in air traffic control and related fields. | ATC |
| 9 | EAA Aviation College Scholarships | Supports students enrolled in aviation-related college degree programs. | Aviation College |
| 10 | General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Scholarships | Scholarships for students in aviation maintenance and aerospace fields. | Aviation Maintenance/Engineering |
| 11 | AOPA Flight Training Scholarship | Offers funding for students pursuing a pilot certificate, sponsored by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. | Flight Training |
| 12 | EAA Flight Training Scholarships | Provides scholarships for students beginning or continuing flight training through the Experimental Aircraft Association. | Flight Training |
| 13 | The LeRoy W Homer Jr Scholarships | Provides flight training scholarships to young adults aspiring to become professional pilots. | Flight Training |
| 14 | Avfuel Pilot-in-Training Aviation Scholarship | $1,500 scholarship for aspiring pilots to fund flight training. | Flight Training |
| 15 | Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) Scholarships | Scholarships for Canadian residents pursuing pilot licenses. | Flight Training |
| 16 | Navigate Your Future Scholarship | $2,500 scholarship for high school graduates pursuing aviation careers. | Flight Training |
| 17 | Debbie Franceus Memorial Aviation Foundation | Flight training scholarships for aspiring female pilots. | Flight Training - Women |
| 18 | Sisters of the Skies Scholarships | Scholarships for Black women pursuing aviation careers. | Flight Training / Black Women |
| 19 | Illinois Pilots Association Scholarships | Provides scholarships for Illinois residents pursuing flight training. | Flight Training-Illinois Residents |
| 20 | National Air Transportation Foundation Scholarships | Awards various scholarships for careers in aviation business, maintenance, and more. | Various |
| 21 | NBAA National Business Aviation Association | Offers a wide range of scholarships for careers in business aviation, from pilots to maintenance techs. | Various |
| 22 | University Aviation Association Scholarships | Scholarships for aviation students offered through colleges and universities affiliated with UAA. | Various |
| 23 | SMS-Pro Aviation Safety Scholarship | Offers scholarships for students focusing on aviation safety or related disciplines. | Various |
| 24 | Whirly-Girls Scholarships | Flight training and add-on ratings for female helicopter pilots offered by a global organization. | Various |
| 25 | Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals | Awards scholarships for minority students in aerospace careers. | Various |
| 26 | Women in Corporate Aviation Scholarships | Provides professional development and training scholarships for women in business aviation. | Various |
| 27 | Aviation Distributors and Manufacturers Association Scholarship | Sponsored by the Aviation Distributors and Manufacturers Association for students in aviation-related fields. | Various |
| 28 | CAF Wings Over Houston Scholarship | Awards scholarships to students pursuing aviation degrees or flight training in honor of airshow heritage. | Various |
| 29 | Astronaut Scholarship Foundation | Supports high-achieving STEM students, including those studying aerospace disciplines. | Various |
| 30 | Aero Club Foundation of Washington | Scholarship for students in the D.C. area pursuing aviation careers. | Various |
| 31 | Air Force Association Scholarships | Scholarships for military families and students pursuing aviation or STEM. | Various |
| 32 | Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA) Scholarships | Scholarships for students pursuing aviation degrees, with preference for Chicagoland residents. | Various |
| 33 | National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) Scholarships | Scholarships for LGBTQ+ individuals pursuing aviation careers. | Various - LGBTQ+ |
| 34 | Alaska Airmen Scholarships | Scholarships for Alaskan residents pursuing aviation training or education. | Various-Alaska Residents |
| 35 | The Ninety-Nines | A variety of scholarships for female pilots at all stages, offered by an international organization of women pilots. | Various-For Women |
| 36 | Women in Aviation International Scholarships | Provides dozens of scholarships each year for women pursuing all types of aviation careers. | Various-For Women |
| 37 | Girls With Wings | Aims to encourage and support females pursuing flight training through mentorship and funding. | Various-For Women |
| 38 | Montana Department of Transportation | Scholarships for Montana students pursuing aviation careers. | Various-Montana Residents |
| 39 | Aero Club of New England | Provides funding for New England residents enrolled in aviation training. | Various-New England Residents |