The Best Aviation Scholarships to Apply to in 2025

The future is propelled forward by transportation. Tourism, business trips, and global commerce mean aviation continues to be a growing industry. Because of the increasing demand for safe and speedy airline transportation, more funding is becoming available for pilots through aviation scholarships.

Aviation careers can be exhilarating and rewarding, but they aren't without cost. Financial aid can help you cruise through your pilot training with less student debt, freeing you up to focus on your work when you graduate.

We have researched the top aviation scholarships from organizations like the Federal Aviation Administration to curate a list of the best aviation scholarships. Keep reading to learn how to find more scholarships, how to apply, and tips on how to win.

Sign up for a free profile with Bold.org to get access to hundreds of scholarships! Start applying today and fly high with these financial aid opportunities.

Best Aviation Scholarships for Flight Training

1. Government Scholarships

After graduating from a professional pilot program, you may be able to find federal job openings that match your skills. Transportation, military-adjacent work, and postal services may all be in need of new pilots.

2. Engineering Scholarships

Depending on how in-depth your flight training is, you may be eligible for these engineering scholarships. Aerospace engineering, for example, is an intense field of study that could make you a better pilot as well. There's a lot of careful design and machinery that goes into flying for those interested.

3. Aero Club of New England Scholarship for Pilot Training

The Aero Club of New England created this scholarship to help younger pilots afford their education. Applicants should be at least 16 years old, a resident of a New England state, and be enrolled in a New England flight training program. See their website for other eligibility requirements.

Need more ways to finance your aviation education? Read our blog on how to pay for flight school.

Best Aviation Scholarships to Reduce Student Loan Debt

1. Grants to Pay Off Student Loans

These general awards to help students avoid student loan debt are great for both traditional students and aviators. If the other aviation scholarships listed aren't enough to help you get through college, check these out.

2. Need-Based Scholarships

Aviation maintenance, training, and supplies cost a lot of money. Not everyone will be able to afford flight school out of pocket, which is why need-based scholarships can help. You'll need to demonstrate that you can't afford flight training by yourself to apply.

3. Essay Scholarships

Share your love of aviation with these essay scholarships. Convince donors that you should be the one to win the prize money by crafting a thoughtful, engaging personal statement.

4. No-Essay Scholarships

Aviation explorers who are short on time can apply for these no-essay scholarships as well. These are typically more competitive but take only a few minutes to apply for.

Breaking Into the Aviation Industry

While the aviation industry may be growing, so are the prices of going through pilot training. Depending on what you intend to do in the field of aviation, the cost differs. Flight school averages a cost of approximately $116,995 in the United States.

Private Pilot Certificate

This average encompasses a range of aviation experience and accounts for lessons, plane rentals, and other equipment. Aviation students must receive their private pilot certificate before becoming commercial pilots.

Some aviation aficionados may seek a private pilot certificate or private pilot's license to fly recreationally. It's also the starting point for becoming a commercial pilot. Decide what your goals are with flying and what kind of aircraft you want to fly—these factors will affect what kind of license you need and what kind of training you'll receive.

Read through the Federal Aviation Association's guidelines on how to become a pilot for more clarity regarding the rules and regulations of flying, as well as what kind of aircraft are available to fly.

Why Aviation Scholarships Matter

Aviation scholarships give financial assistance to future pilots engaged in aviation programs. Because pilots are in high demand, flight training scholarship programs want to help cover the cost of flight school. These scholarships may be offered by different institutions, associations, or schools, but they can all help students in flight training cover the costs of pilot training.

Some aviation scholarships are offered by businesses in the aviation industry that are looking to recruit new pilots. Both aviation associations and airline businesses provide scholarships. For example, the Airline Owners and Pilots Association gave over $1 million to students, teachers, and pilots-in-training in 2019.

Applying for flight training scholarships can significantly reduce the amount of student loan debt you graduate with, allowing you to focus on flying instead of your finances. Saving up now by applying for scholarships helps you build a budget for school if you're just starting your pilot training.

Even if you're a few years into an aviation program, you can still apply for scholarships to help you pay for further schooling or pay off any loans you may have incurred.

Take a look at the full list of scholarships on Bold.org and apply today!

Who Can Get a Scholarship for Aviation?

Students of every background and education level can earn an aviation scholarship. High school seniors planning to join an aviation program are just as eligible as experienced pilots who have a private pilot certificate. Scholarships are usually given to students currently enrolled in their aviation education, so students actively pursuing a career in aviation are eligible to search for various scholarships.

Not every scholarship is open to all students. Some have requirements that want only specific education levels, such as high school seniors, whereas others are open to any aviation student. Other aviation scholarships are more specific to one's region, flight school, education level, demographic, or level of financial need.

How to Find Aviation Scholarships

Since aviation scholarships are offered through different platforms and programs, there are plenty of ways to begin your search for aviation scholarships. On Bold.org, you can use our scholarship search feature and the 'Category' filter for the aviation section. This will bring up specific aviation scholarships. You can also look at STEM scholarships or scholarships specific to your background so that you can find more scholarships.

Outside of Bold.org, you can look for federal or national programs geared specifically toward aviation students. These might include:

1. Federal Aviation Administration
2. Experimental Aircraft Association
3. Aero Club of New England

We've listed scholarships from these and similar organizations above in the scholarships list or below under 'Additional Resources,' but be sure to check for scholarships from these kinds of aviation associations often!

If you're enrolled in a professional pilot program, college, or boot camp, ask the appropriate office if any scholarships are available for enrolled students. School or training scholarships will usually have a smaller applicant pool as you'll only be competing against your classmates.

Similarly, ask around for any local or regional opportunities near you. Whether you participate in clubs, are on a sports team, or volunteer on the weekends, there may be scholarship opportunities open to you because of your associations. Don't hesitate to ask.

The search for scholarships is ultimately up to you, so take command of your future and pursue opportunities as much as you're able. The more effort you put into finding the best scholarships for you, the more you will get out of the search.

How to Apply for Flight Training Scholarships

Applying for scholarships on Bold.org takes only a few simple steps, starting with creating your free account. Fill out your profile thoroughly and include important information about your education, background, major, interests, and other important experiences that help give an idea of who you are. This way, when you begin searching for scholarships, more will be available for you to apply for.

From there, use tools such as the scholarship search page - which has filters for category, education, etc. - and the bookmark tool, which allows you to save scholarships for you to revisit later. Once you've decided on which scholarships are best for you, begin applying. Some scholarships don't require an essay or specifically look for a visual element.

If you're applying to local scholarships or on other platforms, some parts of the process remain the same: you'll need to fill out forms, send the proper documents, and write an essay.

For forms and documents, make sure to send and prepare those ahead of time. Filling out forms is easy, so don't put that off. If transcripts or letters of recommendation are needed, ask offices and recommenders to prepare them early.

Many scholarships are essay scholarships, meaning they require an essay element along with your application. The scholarship essay helps donors understand more about you and why you deserve their scholarship. If you are struggling with writing a strong essay, take a look at our tips for writing a great scholarship essay.

Tips on Winning Aviation Scholarships

In order to have the best chance at earning an aviation scholarship, you must take some important steps. The most critical part of scholarship searching is consistency.

1. Apply for more than one scholarship, and don't be disappointed if you don't win every scholarship you apply for. The more opportunities you put yourself in the running for, the better chance you have of being successful in your pursuit of financial aid.
2. Focus on niche scholarships you are eligible for. Carefully consider which scholarships to apply for, putting extra effort toward scholarships that have more eligibility requirements. These will be less competitive than general scholarships since several eligibility requirements mean not everyone can apply. This increases your chance of winning.
3. Pick strong recommenders. If a letter of recommendation is required, don't think of it as an extra step—think of it as a chance to show the donor a different side of you. Ask someone who knows you well to write the letter, highlighting the qualities that make you a good person and a good pilot.

If you follow these steps, strengthen your profile, and work hard on your applications, you'll have a good chance of securing aviation scholarships.

Additional Resources for Aviation Students

Federal Aviation Administration

The FAA is responsible for regulating civil aviation and U.S. commercial space transportation, maintaining and operating air traffic control and navigation systems for both civil and military aircraft, and developing and administering programs relating to aviation safety and the National Airspace System. As one of the largest aviation associations, they also collect and fund several aviation scholarship awards for pilots of various backgrounds.

The Experimental Aircraft Association

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is an international organization dedicated to the advancement and promotion of recreational aviation. Founded in 1953 by a group of individuals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who were interested in building their own airplanes, the EAA has grown to encompass all aspects of general aviation. The association's mission includes supporting and encouraging the design and construction of aircraft, as well as promoting aviation safety and education.

The EAA provides a wide range of resources and services to its members, including workshops, educational programs, and advocacy efforts to protect the rights of aviators. It also publishes a variety of materials, including magazines and online content, to keep its members informed about the latest developments in aviation.

The organization's wealth of workshops, webinars, and scholarships further supports students' educational journeys and career aspirations in aviation. Being part of the EAA community also means access to mentorship from experienced aviators and industry professionals, along with exposure to innovative and experimental aircraft designs.

The Aviation International News

AIN Media Group launched its inaugural magazine during the NBAA Convention in Cincinnati in 1972. Since then, the company has not only maintained its production of NBAA Convention News but has also broadened its portfolio to include a wide array of other print and digital platforms, along with webinars and exclusive events.

Regarded as the premier independent authority on news and insights in the business and civil aviation sectors globally, the Aviation International News continues to be a trusted resource.

AIN Media Group's resources can significantly enrich an aviation student's educational experience and professional development by offering a window into the broader industry. It serves as a great educational tool, offering up-to-date industry insights, trends, and technologies that are essential for students to stay informed about the dynamic aviation sector.

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