Aviation Scholarships

What does a scholarship cover?

Flight training scholarships may be used to cover costs at any flight training school in the United States and Canada that is not a university program.

Post-secondary scholarships may be used to cover costs for collegiate level programs in the United States including, but not limited to: aerospace or aeronautical engineering, aviation business administration, air traffic control, aviation maintenance, professional flight, or any aviation-related STEM field.

Do I have to be an EAA member to apply?

You do not need to be a current EAA member to apply for a scholarship.

Do I have to currently be enrolled in a program to apply?

For flight training scholarships, if you are not currently in a program, we urge you to contact the flight training school as soon as possible. Scholarship funds must be used by May 1 following the year of awarding. This means you must complete the certification or rating you are pursuing before this date.

We award post-secondary scholarships to both current and incoming students. Scholarship funds must be used by May 1 following the year of awarding, meaning you must be enrolled at your chosen educational institution before that date.

What are the age requirements to apply for a flight training scholarship?

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a flight training or post-secondary scholarship.

What are the eligibility criteria to be awarded a scholarship?

Selection criteria varies based on individual scholarships; please use the links above to read about all our individual scholarships.

When can I apply for a flight training scholarship?

Applications open November 1 every year and close March 1.

Are you strict about the application deadline?

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. No exceptions will be made for missing the final application deadline.

Does the application require a recommendation?

On your application, you will be asked to enter the name of one non-relative character reference. Once you submit your application, your reference will be sent a link to complete the online recommendation. Please ask your reference to complete the recommendation before the application deadline. Applications will be considered late and will not be accepted if the recommendation is not complete by the deadline.

Does the application require a copy of my transcripts?

For post-secondary scholarships, you will be asked to upload the most recent copy of your transcripts. The transcript should include the name of the school, all the courses you have taken, and the grade you earned in each course. It should also include your cumulative, unweighted grade point average (GPA). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

What GPA should I use?

Your GPA should be unweighted using a 4.00 scale.

Will I be notified when my application was received?

You will receive an automatic email notification when your application has been submitted.

When will I be notified if I am selected for a scholarship?

All winners and non-winners will receive an email sent to the email address listed on your application shortly after May 1st. Please list an email address that you check often! If you have not received an email, please check your spam folder.

What are the next steps if I am awarded a scholarship?

If you win a scholarship, you will be sent an email with documents for completion. Once EAA has received these, the disbursement process will begin.

EAA will send a check directly to the flight school or post-secondary institution.*

For flight training scholarships, the first installment will be 40% of the total amount awarded. After certain benchmarks, the next 40% will be dispersed. Once you have completed the certification or rating you are pursuing, the remaining 20% will be awarded.

*Please note, you have one year from the date of your award to use the funds of an EAA scholarship if the scholarship is non-renewable. If not all money is used during this designated year, the money will revert back to the EAA Scholarship Fund.

Additional questions should be directed to Scholarships@EAA.org.