Aviation Scholarships

About aviation scholarships

The future is propelled forward by transportation, making aviation a growing industry. Improving technology has opened up more job opportunities for students pursuing aviation careers. Because of the increasing demand for airline transportation, it is important to prepare the next generation of pilots by giving financial aid through flight training scholarships. As of the end of 2019, there were over 197,000 student pilots.

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 $10,574 in the United States. This average encompasses a range of aviation experience and accounts for lessons, plane rentals, and other equipment. However, these costs don't take into account schooling for aviation students looking to become commercial pilots.

For aviation students looking to become commercial pilots, there is a higher cost because of the steps it takes to work for commercial airlines. Not only do aviation students have to receive their private pilot certificate before becoming a commercial pilot, but they also must earn their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.

Aviation students who have already received their private pilot's license have costs totaling around $69,000, while students just beginning their aviation education pay nearly $88,000 to earn both the private pilot certificate and the ATP certificate. These numbers may seem daunting to students planning to begin their flight training through an aviation program, but there are specific aviation scholarships geared toward all levels of future aviators.

What is an aviation scholarship?

In order to assist students through a professional pilot program, there are flight training scholarships that help give opportunities to future pilots. These options vary: because pilots are in high demand, flight training scholarship programs want to help cover the cost of flight school.

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. Association and industry scholarships aren't the only opportunities available for aviation students. There are national options, such as the scholarships offered by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Aviation scholarships give financial assistance to future pilots engaged in aviation programs. 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.

Can you 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 apply for aviation scholarships

Applying for scholarships on Bold.org takes only a few simple steps that start 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. However, the majority of scholarships on Bold.org 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.

How to get an aviation scholarship

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

At the same time, choose the scholarships you apply for with careful consideration, putting extra effort toward scholarships that have more eligibility requirements. Scholarships that have many eligibility requirements aren't open to as many students and therefore don't have as many applicants. This increases your chance of winning since fewer people are applying.

If you follow these steps as well as strengthen your profile and work hard on your applications, you will have the best chance possible of securing aviation scholarships.

Best aviation scholarships

No matter what education level you are at, there are opportunities for you to apply for scholarships. Students of all backgrounds, ages, and experiences can earn aviation scholarships if they look in the right places. Bold.org offers aviation scholarships, such as those listed below, to help aspiring pilots achieve their goals in the aviation field.

Future of Aviation Scholarship

While ultimately worthwhile, the training and education required to begin entry-level work in the aviation industry can be intimidatingly expensive. Becoming a pilot with no previous experience is expensive and can take years of work. All of this effort pays off in the long run, but the high price tag of pilot training often discourages many aspiring students from pursuing aviation. This scholarship aims to support future pilots by easing the burden of the financial cost of pilot training and education. 

Aviation scholarships for high school students

High school is the time to begin thinking about your future. As future pilots begin considering their futures in aviation, they can start looking into the financial aid opportunities available for high schoolers. High school seniors specifically have the most opportunities open for them since they are the closest to beginning the next step of their educational journey. Take a look at some of these scholarships aspiring high school aviation students can apply for.

1. Future of Aviation Scholarship
2. Bold Challenge Yourself No-Essay Scholarship
3. HM Family Scholarship
4. Bold Driven Scholarship

Aviation scholarships for college students

After high school, getting into college and earning scholarships to go to school may seem like the end of a long journey. However, it is only the beginning of a new one. College is the perfect time to cultivate skills and pursue scholarships. Post-secondary scholarships help aviation students with the cost of an aviation program. As you begin your higher education, make sure to continue your scholarship search, with scholarships for college students in aviation, such as those below.

1. Electronic Shark Scholarship
2. Anthony Jordan Clark Memorial Scholarship
3. Bold Make Your Mark Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about aviation scholarships

As you begin your search for the best aviation scholarships, you may come across some questions pertaining to the scholarship process or the scholarships themselves. To help with some of these concerns, we've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about aviation scholarships.

How to find aviation scholarships

Since there are aviation scholarships offered through different platforms and programs, there are plenty of ways to begin your search for aviation scholarships. On Bold.org, you can look on the scholarship search page and use 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. Many of these options have already been listed above, but the few included are only the beginning: check Google, talk to the financial office at your school, or talk to other students to see what options are out there for future aviators.

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.

Are there aviation scholarships for females?

Aviation scholarships are available for students of all backgrounds. Since there are fewer women in aviation, scholarship opportunities exist specifically to help female aviation students get the most out of their experience. These scholarships are a good way for women in the aviation field to earn financial aid for flight school.

1. Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship
2. Taking Up Space Scholarship
3. Women’s History Scholarship

Are there aviation scholarships for international students?

While there tend to be fewer scholarships specifically for international students in aviation, both aviation scholarships and international scholarships are perfect for international students pursuing an education in aviation. Aviation scholarships are explored in-depth on this page, but there are also specific scholarships on Bold.org for international students. Take a look at our page of scholarships for international students to find scholarships geared toward students attending school in the United States from other countries.

Are there aviation scholarships for minorities?

Minorities are encouraged to pursue passions in aviation. Bold.org has opportunities for minority students, including the Minority/Women in STEM Scholarship. STEM is a broad term, and since aviation fits under it, minorities are encouraged to apply for this scholarship and more to get assistance for aviation education. For more financial aid opportunities for minorities, take a look at the scholarships for minorities offered on Bold.org. Between this page and the "Minority" option on the scholarship search page, minority students have the chance to earn financial assistance.

Are there aviation scholarships for African American students?

On top of the scholarships for minorities on Bold.org, there are also scholarships specifically for different minorities. To encourage African American aviation students to continue pursuing their dreams, scholarships for African American students help provide opportunities geared just for Black/African American students. Take a look at these scholarships and find the best options for you.

Are there aviation scholarships for veterans?

Veterans have served their country, so many donors want to serve them back in support of everything they have done. Scholarships for veterans may or may not be specific to aviation, but they can be used toward flight school regardless. These scholarships are just a few scholarships open for veteran students earning their education.

1. Military Student Debt Grant 
2. Praccess Veterans Education Grant
3. WiseGeek No-Essay Military Appreciation Grant

Are scholarships counted as income?

Scholarships earned through Bold.org are sent directly to the institution you are attending. Because the money isn't sent to the winner directly, it does not count as income.

When can I start applying?

Bold.org has opportunities year-round, so there isn't a bad time to begin applying. Consistently look for scholarships throughout the year. Students can make a free Bold.org account starting in high school or from the age of 14. Once you've created your account, utilize your opportunities throughout the year to help pay for your flight training.