When the state of California introduced the lottery in the 1980s the slogan was, “You can’t win if you don’t play.” That applies to so many things in life, including aviation scholarships. If the number of letters of recommendation I am asked to write this time of year is any indication, aviation scholarship season is upon us.

The reason many people do not look for or apply for scholarships is because they think they won’t qualify, as most aviation scholarships are aimed at people in their late teens or early twenties who are enrolled in high school or college aviation programs, or because they are working full time and don’t think they have the financial need.

To these people I say, “You won’t know unless you look for scholarships, and you won’t win unless you apply.”

Full disclosure: my multiengine ratings were made possible by two scholarships from The Ninety-Nines, the international order of women pilots. I applied for the Earhart Scholarship from the international group and for another scholarship offered by the Seattle chapter of the organization. At the time I was working full time for a national aviation magazine, part time for Aviation for Women, and part time at two flight schools. So much employment almost worked against me for the local scholarship, as financial need is a significant factor for selection. Lucky for me a friend who was part of the Seattle chapter pointed out no one would work that much unless they were working toward something, like a multiengine rating.

How to Search for Scholarships

It is ridiculously easy to search for aviation scholarships these days thanks to Google. Drop the phrase “aviation scholarship” into a search bar and see what comes up

Read the qualifications for the scholarships carefully. You don’t want to get halfway through filling out an application only to realize that the scholarship is limited to people who live in a particular geographic area, has an age limitation, or a prerequisite, such as completion of the knowledge exam for the pilot applying.

Navigating the Process

Most scholarships require the applicant to write an essay. The essay should address the applicant’s desire for scholarship, what they will use the funds for, outline their financial need, their career goals, if appropriate, and how winning the scholarship will impact their lives.

About the essay: although AI is all the rage, the purpose of the scholarship is for the scholarship committee to get to know the applicant. This is one time you want to go old school. If you’re not a writer, pretend you are talking to a friend, explaining to them why you want to pursue aviation. Be sure to check your spelling and punctuation before you submit the final draft.

If you are applying for a flying scholarship, you can expect to be asked to submit photocopies or scans of the last few pages of your aviation logbook. Make sure the pages are filled out legibly and correctly. Even if it has been a while since you flew—I mean months or years, apply anyway. Remember, if you don’t ask for something the answer is automatically no.

You may also have to submit copies of your pilot certificate. Make sure it is legible as well.

Letters of Recommendation

Most scholarships require at least one letter of recommendation, often from a person who has flown with you and is not a family member. Be very selective about who you ask to write the letter. You may love your flight instructor but if he/she is very busy they may not have the time nor the capability to write a letter for you. Ask them well in advance and give them a deadline of at least a month before the scholarship application is due.

Make sure the letter writer understands the mission. I asked a colleague to write one for me, and most of what she wrote was about her aviation career. I was glad I had another person lined up to write a letter.

If you want a new-to-you instructor to write a letter for you, expect to fly with them more than once because one flight, then letter, screams “check-the-boxism” when the scholarship committee is looking at the photocopies of the last page of your logbook.

It is helpful to supply the person with a copy of the essay you plan to submit along with a resume if appropriate. If the letter needs to be part of a scholarship packet be sure to let the writer know so they send it to you and not the selection committee, as this can disqualify you.

Common Misconceptions

Number One: You must be of traditional school age to qualify for a scholarship.

While there are some scholarships that require the applicant to be a certain age because they are intended for the pursuit of specific certificates (for example at least 17 years of age when pursuing a private pilot certificate) there are also many scholarships that are available to people who are pursuing aviation later in life.

Women in Aviation, the Ninety-Nines, the Association of Women Aviation Mechanics, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and AOPA have scholarships aimed at adults who are seeking professional enrichment.

It is not just the international and national alphabet groups that offer scholarships. State aviation associations often have scholarships designed to support established aviation business professionals as well as those who are entering the industry and need specific training, for example a type rating, management, or dispatcher’s certificate.

Scholarships Close to Home

State aviation associations often have scholarship opportunities that were created to help aviation business professionals advance their careers. These scholarships are often aimed at people who have or are seeking non-flying careers such as aviation management, or at college students who are majoring in aviation or aerospace.

You will also find scholarships for aviation add-ons, such as a tailwheel endorsement or a seaplane rating.

Please note that a great many scholarships have the caveat they will be paid directly to the flight school, and often they are intended for Part 141 schools only. Have a school picked out before you apply, and find out about their refund policy on monies not spent.

Don’t be discouraged if the scholarship is just for a few hundred dollars. While a scholarship may not pay for a complete rating, it will be money you didn’t have a few days before.

If you don’t qualify for a scholarship in this round, don’t give up. It doesn’t mean that you’re a bad person or “they hate you,” it just means someone else was a better fit. There is always next year.