Aviation Career Advancement Scholarship for Future Airline Pilots
Pilots are an essential part of daily life in our increasingly globalized and connected world, with a growing demand for qualified professionals.
Growing pilot shortages threaten the safety of travelers, cause delays and cancellations, affect shipping, and undermine the efficiency and security of air transportation. Many students are interested in the field of aviation but lack the financial resources they need to pursue their training.
This scholarship seeks to support graduating seniors who are preparing to pursue professional pilot training.
Any high school senior at Aviation High School in Queens, New York who is a U.S. citizen may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they will enroll in a U.S. flight school affiliated with a major U.S. airline pilot pathway (United Aviate, Southwest Destination 225°, Delta Propel, American Airlines Cadet Academy, etc.) or into an accredited college or university that runs a flight training program. Those with demonstrated financial need are especially encouraged to apply. The first-place winner will receive $50,000, and the second and third-place winners will receive $25,000 each.
To apply, tell us about your career goals, why you’re pursuing pilot training, and how this scholarship will help you overcome barriers and achieve your dreams.
Explain your career goals in aviation, why you want to pursue professional pilot training, and how this scholarship would help you overcome barriers to achieving those goals.
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FAQ
The application deadline is May 3, 2026. Winners will be announced on Jun 3, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Jun 3, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.