Showers of scholarships

April 19, 2023 By Lillian Geil

Students headed for careers in the aviation industry should apply for these scholarships with funds set to arrive as the fall 2023 semester starts.

Photo by Chris Rose.

The future of flight is female

Applications are now open for the All Hands on Deck scholarship opportunity, a dually funded flight training scholarship for girls from I Hart Flying and Girls Love to Fly.

The program offers more than $18,000 in flight training funding, pilot supplies, and industry prizes. Each organization has its own application and unique set of requirements for application eligibility.

If applying through I Hart Flying, applicants must be a female U.S. or Canadian citizen or resident who is 16 years of age or older, and can be pursuing any level of pilot qualification. Additionally, applicants must follow all partner, donor, and I Hart Flying social media accounts listed under the eligibility requirements.

If applying though Girls Love to Fly, applicants must be a Girls Love to Fly member, U.S. citizen or resident or Canadian citizen or resident, and age 16 or older. Scholarships must be used within two months of the award date.

The application deadline is April 28 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

Calling aviators in Illinois

King Schools, WAI fund female flight instructor

Pilar Wolfsteller is the winner of the 2023 Women in Aviation International Martha King Scholarship for Female Flight Instructors.

Wolfsteller has had a successful career as an aviation journalist for FlightGlobal.com, is a commercial pilot, and now hopes to become a flight instructor to help women build confidence in flight.

The award comes with a $5,000 stipend that Wolfsteller will use to obtain her flight instructor certificate.

“I aim to use my flight instructor certificate for what it was designed for: to teach others how to pilot an aircraft,” said Wolfsteller to King Schools. “But also to show them that confidence—being bold—can be learned, and that the sky holds no limits, no prejudices, and no judgment. The airplane doesn’t care who you are, and the freedom up there is endless.”

Multiple scholarships from the Chicago Executive Pilots’ Association and Palwaukee Airport Pilots Association are available for full-time students within the state of Illinois. The CEPA PAPA Scholarship and Safety Foundation award is for students pursuing studies in a recognized professional aviation program.

The scholarships are worth $1,000 and $2,000, and the application deadline is May 1.

Application submissions must include an application form, proof of residence in Illinois, an essay, two recommendation letters, transcripts from the most recent completed term, and a copy of current FAA medical and pilot certificates if currently in a flight training program.

ATC awards

The Air Traffic Control Association has several scholarships available in its 2023 application cycle for students, ATC employees, and children of ATC specialists.

Those interested in ATC education, individuals in an aviation-related course of study, and those in programs to improve skills in an aviation or ATC discipline should explore the awards offered.

Flight training aid

Three $4,000 scholarships from the Regional Airline Association are open to assist individuals who are studying for a career in the airline industry.

Applicants are ranked on “demonstrated scholastic achievement; demonstrated work experience, extracurricular or community activities; strength of faculty recommendation; and strength of applicant’s career essay (350 words or less).”

Criteria for eligibility include an official enrollment in a college or university program leading to a career in the airline industry and a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Applications are due June 9.