Internal Scholarships

College of Aviation Internal Scholarships

2025-26 ApplicatioN - WiLL Open On December 1, 2024 

Deadline: January 15, 2025, 11:59 pm EST

W.K. Kellogg Diversity in Aviation Scholarship

  • Full time, undergraduate aviation program student.
  • Demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.  (2024-25 FAFSA must be submitted)
  • One page resume
  • Essay required for first time applicant.  Previous award winners may reapply with a summary of demonstrated participation in university diversity events or student groups supporting diversity.  Include personal views as to why it matters or makes a difference and if there is an impact with involvement.

Aviation Alumni and Friends Scholarship

  • Full time, undergraduate aviation program student.

  • Junior or senior status.

  • Preferred minimum 3.0 GPA.

  • One page resume

  • Essay, maximum 400-600 words, in APA format on: “How have you made a difference in your community and how do you plan to give back to WMU's Aviation community after completing your education?”

Duncan Aviation Inc. Aviation Maintenance Scholarship

  • Enrolled Maintenance program student.

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA

  • Reside in one of the following counties: Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, St. Joseph, Branch, or other Michigan county contiguous to any of the other foregoing counties.

  • Write essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format, that conveys the student’s interest in aviation and what he/she hopes to do with a career in aviation following graduation.

  • Letter of recommendation from one of his/her former or current teachers.

  • Be of Sophomore or Junior academic standing.

  • Participate in the Duncan Aviation, Inc. internship program during their Junior or Senior year.

  • One page resume

Virgil and Maurine Williams Family Aviation Endowed Scholarship

  • Full or part time student(s) enrolled in aviation flight science or aviation maintenance technology.
  • Demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid. (2024-25 FAFSA must be submitted)
  • May reapply.
  • Preference to students who graduate from Michigan high schools.
  • One page resume
  • Essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format on; "My dream job in aviation and the role my bachelor's degree will play in attaining it.

Duke Harrah Scholarship

  • Maintenance program student.
  • Junior status.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • One page resume
  • Essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format on; "My dream job in aviation and the role my bachelor's degree will play in attaining it.

Kern Family Endowed Scholarship

  • Full time, undergraduate aviation program student.
  • Junior or senior status.
  • Financial need as verified by the Office of Student Financial Aid. (2024-25 FAFSA must be submitted)
  • Preferred minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Renewable for one consecutive academic year providing student maintains at least a 3.0 GPA in their major field of study.
  • One page resume
  • Essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format on; "My dream job in aviation and the role my bachelor's degree will play in attaining it.

William J. Kozel Scholarship

  • Maintenance program student.
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA.
  • One page resume
  • Essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format on; "My dream job in aviation and the role my bachelor's degree will play in attaining it.

Herman W. Linder Scholarship

  • Maintenance program student.
  • Must have completed the airframe and power plant servicing classes.
  • Student will be selected by Maintenance Faculty for this scholarship.  No need to apply

Warren Miller Distinguished Flying Cross Endowed Scholarship

  • Full time undergraduate student majoring in aviation flight science.
  • Preference given for demonstrated financial need.  (2024-25 FAFSA must be submitted)
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Renewable.
  • One page resume
  • Essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format on; "My dream job in aviation and the role my bachelor's degree will play in attaining it.

Dale R. Pitsch Memorial Aviation Scholarship

  • Full-time Aviation Flight Science student.
  • Junior or senior status.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • One page resume
  • Essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format on; "My dream job in aviation and the role my bachelor's degree will play in attaining it.

The Major Henry Schmaltz, USAF, Endowed Scholarship for Aviation Sciences

  • Available when endowment reaches $25,000.
  • Full time, Junior or senior status .
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Aviation Flight Science or Aircraft Maintenance program student.
  • Preference given to student in the military or one who intends to serve in the military.
  • One page resume
  • Essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format on; "My dream job in aviation and the role my bachelor's degree will play in attaining it.

Colonel Richard A. Sperling Distinguished Service Cross Endowed Scholarship

  • Contracted United States Army ROTC cadet(s) at Western Michigan University enrolled in Aviation Flight Science at WMU, or
  • In the event there is no contracted Army ROTC cadet(s) enrolled in Aviation Flight Science, a contracted Army ROTC cadet(s) who has expressed a strong interest in taking flight training at the WMU College of Aviation, or 
  • In the event there are no contracted Army ROTC cadets enrolled in Aviation Flight Science or who have indicated an interest in taking flight training at the College of Aviation, a non-contracted Army ROTC cadet in good standing who is enrolled in Aviation Flight Science or interested in flight training. 
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA .
  • Renewable for up to a maximum of three consecutive academic years.
  • One page resume
  • Essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format on; "My dream job in aviation and the role my bachelor's degree will play in attaining it."

1939 Aviation Maintenance Scholarship

  • Students with a primary major in Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Incoming Students - High School GPA must be 2.75 or higher
  • Current Students - WMU Cumulative GPA must be 2.75 or higher
  • Submit a 500-1000 word essay in specified topic
  • Submit a resume to include educational, work, activity and service experience
  • Demonstrated Financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid (2024-25 FAFSA must be submitted)

Sumner Arnell Flight Scholarship

  • Endowed scholarship for an incoming sophomore in the COA Flight Science Program
  • For students with a primary major of Flight Science
  • Must have a WMU cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Submit a resume to include educational, work, extracurricular involvement and activities
  • Essay, 400- 600 words, in APA format on; "Demonstrate your extracurricular involvement and interest at Western Michigan University with special emphasis on activities outside of aviation."
  • Preference given to an employed student
  • Scholarship is renewable for up to two years

Corporate Eagle Aviation Excellence Scholarship

  • To be awarded to an enrolled College of Aviation Student
  • For students with a primary major of Flight Science
  • For a student seeking their Multi-Engine Flight Instructor Rating
  • Must have a WMU cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Submit a professional resume.
  • Essay, 400- 600 words, in APA format on; "What is your interest in pursuing a career in corporate aviation?"
  • Provide a letter of recommendation from Chief Flight instructor
  • Preference given to high school graduates from Southeast Michigan including the following counties:  Oakland, Lapeer,
    Genesee, Saint Clair, Macomb, Livingston, Wayne, Washtenaw, Monore, or other Michigan county contiguous of the other
    foregoing counties.