Aviation Scholarships: One of the most thrilling careers is flying or working with aircraft. It may, however, also be one of the priciest. Getting into the aviation sector may be extremely expensive, and if you don’t have a full ride or have access to other resources, it might seem frightening to pay for it.
In this blog post, we carefully select a list of top aviation scholarships offering financial support to students passionate about flying, aviation technology, and aerospace innovation. These programs help cover tuition fees, training fees, and sometimes provide a living stipend.
Below is a list of 10 of these scholarship programs. Keep in mind that these scholarships are offered every year, so if you qualify for them but are not ready yet, or the program is closed, you can still apply for them in the future. They include:
Aviation Scholarships: Top 10 Funded Scholarship Programs
1. EAA Flight Training Scholarships
The EAA flight training scholarship stands out as a monumental opportunity for international students. It helps aspiring pilots earn their certificate without sinking into financial strain.
This program is offered exclusively to accredited airport executives (A.A.E) members who enrol for a full-time undergraduate or graduate program in the United States and are attending accredited colleges or universities.
- Host: Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
- Location: United States & Canada)
- Type: Partially or fully funded scholarships available
- Application Status: Pending—Opens October 1, 2025
- Eligible Country: U.S. and Canada (citizens, residents, or visa-eligible)
- Application Deadline: December 19, 2025
2. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Scholarships
To encourage students to seek opportunities in aerospace and related industries, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) provides a variety of scholarships. Students majoring in these fields or other related fields can apply.
The AIAA Foundation gives out scholarships and graduate prizes every year to undergraduate and graduate students in the air and space sciences. Before applying for any scholarship, note that you must also be a member of the AIAA. As a member, you are eligible to apply for a maximum of three undergraduate scholarships or graduate awards.
- Host: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA
- Location: United States
- Type: Partially or fully funded scholarships available
- Application Status: Pending—Opens October 1, 2025
- Eligible Country: Open to all countries
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
3. Aviation Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ADMA) Scholarship
Students who are considering careers in aviation distribution, manufacturing, or similar industries can apply for the Aviation Distributors and Manufacturers Association Scholarship. The goal of this scholarship program is to offer financial support to young aviation students pursuing careers in the industry.
To apply for the scholarship, submit a letter of need on your organisation’s letterhead to ADMA Headquarters, outlining your organisation’s needs in detail. The mission and how the money will be spent. Scholarships for organisations cannot be renewed.
- Host: The Aviation Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ADMA)
- Location: United States
- Type: Partially funded
- Application Status: Pending—Annual program
- Eligible Country: Open to all countries
- Application Deadline: April 30th each year
4. Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) Foundation Scholarships
The CABA Foundation Scholarships is a scholarship fund that is committed to developing future aviation workforce needs. It provides financial assistance to aspiring and advancing aviation professionals through the scholarship program
The Colorado Aviation Business Association Foundation Scholarships exist in three major categories: Professional Pilot, Aircraft Maintenance/Avionics Technician (A&P) and Aviation Management and Operations (including dispatch, airport management, and flight attendant training). Successful candidates in each category will receive an award of up to $8000, which will be released to the training institution directly.
- Host: CABA Foundation
- Location: United States
- Type: Partially funded (Up to $8000)
- Application Status: Annual program
- Eligible Country: US–Colorado residents
- Application Deadline: December 31st each year
5. NBAA Aviation Scholarships
The NBAA provides a wide range of scholarships for students in various aviation professions looking to advance their careers and education in the field of business aviation. These scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as professional training and development programs.
The NBAA Charities program offers around $100,000 annually in both cash awards and tuition reimbursement for enrolled students. In addition, it offers monetary awards, up to $9,000 to train globally, and training for working professionals, such as pilots, maintenance technicians, schedulers, flight attendants, etc.
- Host: NBAA Foundation (support from National Business Aviation Association donors)
- Location: United States
- Type: Partially funded (Up to $100,000) with cash awards, and training grants
- Application Status: Annual program
- Eligible Country: Program-specified (some scholarships are globally available)
- Application Deadline: Program-specified (Between August and November each year)
6. Richard L. Taylor Flight Training Scholarship 2026
Richard L. Taylor Flight Training Scholarship is a scholarship program established by the National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF). The scholarship award is offered annually and is to be used for one year of full-time undergraduate study.
To apply, you must be enrolled in a flight program at an accredited university and have aspirations to become a professional pilot. be a senior in high school with aspirations for a career in the general aviation sector, have a private pilot’s license, or be a pilot in commercial or general aviation.
- Host: National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF)
Location: United States
- Type: Partially funded ( $1,500 for one year)
- Application Status: Annual program
- Eligible Country: Global opportunity
- Application Deadline: Last Friday of March each year
7. Pioneers of Flight Scholarship Program 2026
To provide financial support and encouragement to children in their academic endeavours, the National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) established the Pioneers of Flight Scholarship Program in 1989. The aim is to support and provide financial aid to young individuals in the overall aviation sector. Two prize awards are given out every year, and each award is worth $1,000 and may be used for one year of full-time undergraduate study.
- Host: National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF)
Location: United States
- Type: Partially funded (two awards of $1,000 each, every year)
- Application Status: Annual program
- Eligible Country: Global opportunity
- Application Deadline: Last Friday of December each year
8. LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Scholarship
The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Scholarship Award is a non-profit organisation that was established in memory of First Officer LeRoy W. Homer Jr. LeRoy Homer served as the first officer of United Airlines Flight 93, which on September 11, 2001, crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The goal of the Foundation is to support LeRoy’s passion for flying by inspiring young men and women who want to become professional pilots. The Foundation will offer scholarships for flight training to individuals who may be interested in getting their private pilot license.
- Host: LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation
- Location: United States
- Type: Fully funded
- Application Status: Annual program–Opens on 31 October each year
- Eligible Country: United States–U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- Application Deadline: January 31 of the following year
9. EAA Aviation Scholarships
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) offers various aviation scholarships and grants to support aspiring pilots and students pursuing aviation-related fields. These include Flight training scholarships, post-secondary scholarships, and Air Academy Camperships. These scholarships are open to anyone 16 years and older, allowing them to pursue their aviation career interests or aviation-related STEM degrees.
- Host: Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
Location: United States
- Type: Partially or Fully funded ($135,000–$238,000)
- Application Status: Annual program–open October 1, every year
- Eligible Country: United States & Canada (citizens, permanent residents, or eligible to work or study in any of the countries)
- Application Deadline: Closes December 19, every year
10. Women in Aviation International (WAI)
Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a U.S. nonprofit organisation that offers networking, education, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities to both women and men, regardless of ethnicity or race. Recipients of these scholarship grants can pursue their aspirations and advance into the aviation and aerospace professions.
- Host: Women in Aviation International (WAI)
Location: United States
- Type: Partially ($695–$20,000)
- Application Status: Annual program
- Eligible Country: Global opportunity (applicant must be a current member of WAI)
Application Deadline: Closes October 15, every year