Scholarship season is here!
If you have been waiting for the perfect time to invest in your aviation career, that time is now. Scholarship season is in full swing over the summer and into the fall. Scholarships are not just for pilots, they have dispatcher, flight attendant, career development and flight attendant scholarships to cater to all sides of the aviation industry.
These scholarships and opportunities are out there to help you fund your training, education and professional development. There are typically three types of scholarships that I see.
Monetary Awards: These funds are paid directly to your flight school, training center or academic institution. They can cover tuition, flight hours, exam fees or even living expenses while you train.
Experience-Based Scholarships: Instead of money, these provide access to opportunities you might not otherwise attend due to cost or travel limitations. This could include an online training course, attending a specialized class or conference, enrolling in a training program, or securing a type-rating course. These give you valuable experience and often have networking or mentorship opportunities.
Other: This could include a monetary award along with gifts from sponsors who contributed to the award or scholarship (free headphones, company swag or products).
Right now, Amanda, President of the Daytona 99s has generously compiled a comprehensive scholarship spreadsheet covering current opportunities across aviation disciplines. This list is updated and includes options for pilots, A&Ps, dispatchers and flight attendants. Making this a must-have tool for your application planning!
Why should I apply now:
Many scholarships close in late summer or early fall.
Awards can range from conference passes to full type ratings.
Application numbers are often smaller than you might think, increasing your chances of success.
Right now the Women in Corporate Aviation Scholarship window is open along with Women in Aviation International and International Society of Women Airline Pilots Scholarships.
Closing Soon: The Airline Dispatchers Federation Scholarships are DUE August 16
Additionally, keep an eye out for the NBAA Leadership Scholarship which is due by November 10, 2025. This is a great example of an experience scholarship that will be for qualified business aviation professionals to attend NBAA’s Leadership Conference. The 2026 Leadership Conference will be held on Feb. 2-4, 2026 in San Antonio, TX
If you are just starting your career in Aviation check out my other blog post about how helpful it is to have a Mentor.
If advancing your aviation career is on your radar, block some time this week to review available scholarhships and start preparing your applications. The only guarantee is that you won’t win the scholarship you never apply for.
- Good luck out there!
Any questions send us a DM on Instagram @OnFinalAviationApparel
