In addition to providing an exciting career path, pilots, copilots, and flight engineers are also highly compensated. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for airline pilots was $147,220 in May 2019! This makes aviation a very lucrative career pathway for students. The good news is that there are aviation scholarships and flight training scholarships to help support your education.

Jump ahead to:

• Top Aviation Scholarships
• Top Colleges for Aviation Scholarships
• Summary of Aviation Scholarships
• Expired Scholarships

Keep on reading to learn more about specific aviation scholarships that students can apply for, as well as some college-specific scholarships that may be up your alley!

Top Aviation Scholarships

$1,000 Take Flight With Embry-Riddle Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students at all levels of education who are interested in aviation, aeronautics, astrophysics, engineering, or a related fields
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: Rolling monthly deadlines (Winners announced March 1st, 2022)

2021 Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open Air Force Association members age 16 years and older
• Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: April 30, 2021

University Aviation Association Scholarships

• Eligibility: A variety of scholarships that are open to pilots at all levels
• Amount: $500 to $2,000 (at least five awards are given out)
• Deadline: June 30, 2020 (opens April 15, 2021)

Navigate Your Future Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors planning a career in the general aviation field
• Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: June 25, 2021

AeroClub of New England’s Scholarship Program

• Eligibility: Open to students who aspire to careers as a pilot, aviation maintenance, or aircraft maintenance.
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Varies

Women in Aviation International Scholarships

• Eligibility: Applicants must be a member of Women in Aviation International by November 1st. Women in Aviation hosts a variety of scholarships and students are able to apply for up to three!
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Varies

Flying Musicians Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to Junior or Senior High School Music students who want to learn to fly
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: January 31, 2022

Top Colleges for Aviation Scholarships

The above private aviation scholarships are an important part of paying for your education. However, savvy students will also identify specific colleges and universities where they can qualify for need-based and merit-based financial aid. We recommend that students use the Net Price Calculator to estimate need-based financial aid.

If you are interested in aviation and aerospace, here are some of the top colleges and universities that you should be considering:

Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana)

• Purdue offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees in their School of Aviation and Transportation.

Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (Arizona & Florida)

• Do you want to attend a college that is completely focused on aviation and aerospace? Embry-Riddle offers just that and is the largest such institution in the world.

Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)

• Ohio State is home to the Center for Aviation Studies which includes the Ohio State University Airport (which is the third busiest airport in the entire state!)

University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, North Dakota)

• The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at UND provides students with a blend of liberal arts courses and professional aviation education.

Summary of Aviation Scholarships

1. $1,000 Take Flight With Embry-Riddle Scholarship
2. 2021 Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship
3. University Aviation Association Scholarships
4. Navigate Your Future Scholarship
5. AeroClub of New England’s Scholarship Program
6. Women in Aviation International Scholarships
7. Flying Musicians Scholarship

Expired Scholarships

AAERO Aviation Scholarship Program

• Eligibility: Open to students who aspire to become pilots, but have not yet received their PPL certificate.
• Amount: $1,000 to $2,500
• Due: (opens in May 2021)

Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships

• Eligibility: A range of scholarships are offered for pilots at every stage of their journey, from undergraduate to graduate and beyond
• Amount: $10,000 to full funding
• Due: January 1, 2021

Lyons Aviation Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to students age 16 of years or older who want to become licensed pilots
• Amount: Full cost of a private pilot certificate
• Deadline: January 15 each year (Opens in October 2021)