AOPA Foundation Scholarship Program
Made possible through donations to the AOPA Foundation, their scholarships are a major benefit of AOPA membership, helping members reach their aviation goals.
Scholarships are available in multiple categories, including primary (sport, recreational, and private pilot) certification, instrument rating, and aviation maintenance technician certification. Scholarship awards range from $2,500 to $14,000. The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Certain criteria must be met to qualify for a scholarship. You will submit only one application that will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible. Review the Frequently Asked Questions for additional information, including how to become an AOPA member.
AOPA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: flight training scholarships are funded by generous donations to the AOPA Foundation. Miscellaneous donations for scholarships are combined and awarded to help members reach their aviation goals.
Award: $2,500 and up; the number of awards will vary
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- At least 16 years at the time of application submission
- Must hold a student pilot certificate
AOPA FOUNDATION YOU CAN FLY HIGH SCHOOL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: The Ray Foundation – established by the late aviator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, James C. Ray. James believed that life skills are learned through aviation. The AOPA is proud to help carry on his legacy by awarding merit-based scholarships to 80 high school students.
Award: 80 $10,000 scholarships available
Certificate or Rating: Private Pilot Certificate
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident
- High school student, age 15-18 years old
- Minimum GPA of 2.7
- Must have taken and passed the FAA Private Pilot written knowledge exam before application submission
AOPA FOUNDATION YOU CAN FLY TEACHER FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: : The Ray Foundation—established by the late aviator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, James C. Ray. James believed that life skills are learned through aviation. The AOPA is proud to help carry on his legacy by awarding flight training scholarships to up to 20 high school teachers utilizing the You Can Fly aviation-based STEM curriculum.
Award: Up to 20 $10,000 scholarships available
Certificate or Rating: Private Pilot Certificate
Criteria:
- Current, paid, full-time teacher utilizing the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum in a school or school system in the 2021-2022 school year
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- Must have taken and passed the FAA Private Pilot written knowledge exam before application submission
ERRAL LEA AND GLENN PLYMATE MEMORIAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: When Glenn Plymate’s wife, Erral, passed away in 2003, he and his family suggested that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the AOPA Foundation (at the time, known as the AOPA Air Safety Foundation). Glenn and his family pledged to match these and other contributions, coming together to create the Erral Lea Plymate Memorial Endowment, which now funds several flight training scholarships each year. When Glenn passed away in 2015, his name was added to the endowment. The AOPA is honored to continue their legacy and passion for aviation.
Award: Multiple; $2,500 and up
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- At least 16 years at the time of application submission
THE DANIEL T. TAUSSIG MEMORIAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Brenton Taussig in memory of Daniel T. Taussig.
Award: Amount will vary
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- At least 16 years at the time of application submission
THE DAVE MONTI AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP – FLIGHT TRAINING
Donor: The friends and family of Jan and Dave Monti, in memory of Dave. Dave was a member of AOPA for more than 50 years. He founded Rebuilt Aircraft, Inc. to provide specialized maintenance and repair services for owners of Beechcraft Bonanzas, Barons, and Travel Airs. In 2019, Dave was named the FAA’s National Aviation Technician of the Year. The AOPA is proud to honor Dave’s legacy by awarding this scholarship for flight training.
Award: $3,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- At least 16 years at the time of application submission
- Must hold a student pilot certificate
- 30 years or younger at the time of award
THE DAVE MONTI AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP – AVIATION MAINTENANCE
Donor: The friends and family of Jan and Dave Monti, in memory of Dave. Dave was a member of AOPA for more than 50 years. He founded Rebuilt Aircraft, Inc. to provide specialized maintenance and repair services for owners of Beechcraft Bonanzas, Barons, and Travel Airs. In 2019, Dave was named the FAA’s National Aviation Technician of the Year. The AOPA is proud to honor Dave’s legacy by awarding this scholarship for those pursuing education in aviation maintenance.
Award: $3,000
Certificate or Rating: Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- At least 16 years at the time of application submission
- 30 years or younger at the time of award
THE DAVID & FLORENCE KLEINE FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: David Kleine, in memory of his beloved wife, Florence, who loved general aviation and the opportunities it provided for her family and others.
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Private certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- At least 16 years at the time of application submission
- Preference is given to those training in Illinois or Minnesota
THE FRED AND DIANE FITTS MEMORIAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP BY CAA
Donor: Corporate Aircraft Association (CAA) in memory of Fred and Diane Fitts. Fred Fitts was a pilot and FBO owner before starting the Corporate Aircraft Association in 1990. Together with his wife, Diane, the couple built the successful fuel and resource purchasing program from scratch. CAA continues to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Part 91 operators by the power of their membership numbers to negotiate the best possible fuel prices. Designed to help young people get into aviation, CAA hopes these scholarships will allow future generations to fulfill the Fitts’ goal of providing value and quality to others.
Award: $7,500 each
Certificate or Rating: Private pilot certification or instrument rating
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- Age 17-30 years at the time of application submission
- Preference is given to applicants interested in becoming corporate pilots, members of CAA and their relatives, and employees of CAA-preferred FBOs and their relatives
THE V. R. EATON AVIATION AND AERONAUTICS ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP – FLIGHT TRAINING
Donor: H. Ross Perot Jr. via the Hillwood Development Company, LLC. Available to students attending V. R. Eaton High School in the Professional Pilot program pathway.
Award: $14,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- At least 16 years at the time of application submission
- A student enrolled in 11th grade at V. R. Eaton High School, Fort Worth, TX
THE V. R. EATON AVIATION AND AERONAUTICS ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP – AVIATION MAINTENANCE
Donor: H. Ross Perot Jr. via the Hillwood Development Company, LLC. Available to students attending V. R. Eaton High School in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program pathway.
Award: $2,700
Certificate or Rating: Aircraft Maintenance Technician Certificate
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- At least 16 years at the time of application submission
- A student enrolled in 10th or 11th grade at V. R. Eaton High School, Fort Worth, TX
THE SCOTT STUART FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Scott and Jane Stuart via the Imperial Foundation
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
- Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
- U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- At least 16 years at the time of application submission
- Must hold a student pilot certificate
- Female applicants only