The Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association lists three scholarships awarded annually, including the AOPA Air Safety Foundation/McAllister Memorial Scholarship.

Women In Aviation International - http://www.wai.org/

WIAI is truly a shining example of female professionals helping future female professionals. The organization has provided over $3 million in scholarships to its membership over the past seven years. Viewing their Web site, nearly 50 scholarships are listed encompassing all fields of aviation valued from $750 up to $35,000.



Ninety-Nines - http://www.ninety-nines.org/

The 99's is another female pilot organization.  The Amelia Earhart Memorial Career Scholarship helps members advance their aviation career by paying for the cost of training to complete an advanced pilot or aviation training course, such as a multi-engine rating or jet type rating, a flight instructor or airline transport pilot certificate, or a college course. These unique scholarships cover the entire cost of flight training or tuition to complete the certificate, rating, or coursework. Among other eligibility requirements, the applicant must be a two-year member of the Ninety-Nines.



Organization of Black Airline Pilots - www.obap.org/scholarships

Unlike fellowships, scholarship programs are more significant in scope, skill expectation and impact on the career of the recipient. In the past, such scholarships have included Turbojet type ratings, flight engineer rating, flight officer training and initial flight training grants. At the convention in 2008 OBAP will broaden its scholarship opportunities to not just the pilot community, but to other careers in the aviation industry. This will start the implementation of Project Aerospace “Cradle to Career”.

This is just a glimpse of what is available. A good tool for beginning the hunt for dollars is available at the University Aviation Association. For $20, UAA will send either a book or a CD listing hundreds of scholarship sources.

Now, are you ready for a startling statistic? Just for fun, do an internet search for "aviation scholarships." At this very moment, there are over 60,000 web addresses featuring aviation scholarships! Chances are there is some good-hearted person, company, school, or organization that just might be willing to give you a financial push up the career ladder!

American Winds sponsored and paid for Stephen Hopson to become the first "deaf" Instrument Rated pilot in the history of the FAA. To further read this story, visit Our Accomplishments - First Deaf Instrument Rated Pilot