In this article, I have listed more than 50 female pilot scholarships. Most of these are women in aviation fully sponsored pilot training scholarships and they’re designed for all female pilots.
These women pilot scholarships are aimed at helping the female pilots who are interested in undergoing full aviation training at little or no cost via some well funded grants for female pilots via scholarship programs.
Often times, organizations offer fully sponsored aviation scholarships for females. These organization make this scholarships available to help shape these women’s lives and invest in their future.
Interestingly, women have been making waves in the aviation industry since time immemorial.
Women like Amelia Earhart, Raymonde de Laroche, Harriet Quimby, Amy Johnson, Jacqueline Cochran, Bessie Coleman, Jerrie Mock, etc., have created a lot of history and impact in the aviation industry.
To further aid more productivity from female pilots, many Non governmental organizations, private companies, government agencies and governmental organizations have provided some female aviation scholarships.
Moreso, some aviation schools have made provision for female pilot training scholarships programs where female pilots can enroll in and undergo free aviation training.
Are female pilots in demand?
Yes, female pilots are highly in demand just as male pilots. In fact, the aviation industry is not about male or female, it’s all qualification and professionalism.
Due to the rapid growth in the aviation industry and the demand for highly qualified pilots, there is an increasing need for qualified pilots of all genders.
In fact, many airlines and aviation companies are currently encouraging and supporting diversity in their pilot workforce by providing scholarships for both male and female pilots.
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Can you get a scholarship to become a pilot as a female?
Yes! it is possible to receive a scholarship to become a pilot as a female, in fact, there are many scholarships that are open to both male and female pilots.
But in this article, I will focus solely on the aviation scholarships for women pilots. Those are scholarships that specifically focus on supporting female pilots.
The availability of scholarships for aspiring pilots, regardless of gender, provides opportunities to obtain financial assistance to pursue pilot training and achieve their aviation goals.
What do Scholarships for Female pilots cover?
What an aviation scholarship covers depends on the company that offer the scholarship. Generally, most women’s aviation scholarships for female pilots usually cover one or more of the following expenses:
- Flight training costs
- Flight/ground school tuition fees
- Aircraft rental fees
- Exam fees
- Uniforms
- Aviation medical exams
- Insurance
- Training materials
- Flight hours
- Living expenses (not common)
- Other related expenses
Once again, it is important to know that the specific coverage of aviation scholarships may differ depending on the organization or institution providing the scholarship.
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Are Female Pilots Scholarships Common?
Not really!
Although there are numbers of scholarships that are designed for female pilots, there are not so many scholarships that are specifically designed for female pilots as compared to general aviation scholarships.
The good thing here is that most general aviation scholarships are available for female pilots, such as those aviation scholarships offered by airlines, aviation associations, and private foundations.
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List of 70 Women in Aviation Scholarships 2023
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a female pilot, below is a list of 55 suitable female pilot scholarships that are right for you:
Note: Read down to see their full details, requirements, awarded amount and application links.
- 99s Aviation Scholarships
- Amelia Earhart Memorial Aviation Scholarship
- Southwest Section Chapters Aviation Scholarships
- Bay Cities chapter of the 99s aviation Scholarships, worth over $4000
- Long Beach 99s:
- Long Beach chapter of the 99s scholarship worth $1,000.
- Wing Up Check Ride Scholarship by Marin 99s, worth $500
- Monterey Bay 99s Two annual scholarships for student and advanced pilots
- Mount Shasta 99s aviation Scholarship to local women, worth $1500
- Orange County 99s aviation scholarships, worth $3,000.
- Phoenix 99s Bonesteel Memorial Flight Training Scholarship, worth $2,000
- Advanced Rating Aviation Scholarship by Reno Area 99s, worth $2000
- Private Certificate Aviation Scholarship by Reno Area 99s worth $1500
- Recurrency aviation Scholarship by Reno Area 99s worth $500
- Reno High Sierra 99s Aviation Scholarship
- Rio Colorado 99s scholarships worth $1,000 for aspiring aviatrixes in the Lake Havasu or Bullhead City area.
- Sacramento Valley Chapter of the 99s, Inc aviation Scholarships
- San Diego 99s, Inc aviation Scholarships
- Nancy Stratford Flight Training Scholarship by San Diego 99s, worth $1,250
- Marian R. DeLano Memorial Scholarship by San Diego 99s, worth $1,500
- Dottie Sanders Memorial Flight Scholarship by San Diego 99s, worth $1,000
- Student Pilot Flight Training Scholarship by San Diego 99s, worth $1,000
- Darlene Kelly Advanced Certificate/Rating Flight Training Scholarship $2,000
- San Fernando Valley 99s annual scholarships foe careers in aviation
- San Joaquin Valley 99s aviation Scholarship
- 150 miles of STS–Sonoma County Airport Annual scholarship for a women pilots
- Ventura County 99s Student Pilot and Advanced Scholarships
- International Society of Women Airline Pilots Scholarship
- WAI – Women in Aviation International Scholarship
- AOPA – Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association scholarship
- EAA – Experimental Aviation Association scholarship
- NATF – National Air Transportation Foundation
- Pioneers of Flight Scholarship for college students in their sophomore or junior year
- Dan L. Meisinger Sr. Memorial Learn to Fly Scholarship for initial or primary flight training students
- NATA Business Scholarship for NATA member company employees
- Navigate Your Future Scholarship for graduating high school seniors
- Richard L. Taylor Flight Training Scholarship
- NBAA – National Business Aviation Association School, $100,000 annually in cash awards
- Southwest Section 99s International Organization of Women Pilots
- Aaero Scholarship
- Air Line Pilots Association Scholarship
- Airline Flight Academy Ireland Scholarships
- Airways Aviation Sponsorship
- Airways Aviation – Part Flight Training Sponsorship Program
- Aopa Advanced Rating Scholarships
- Aopa-aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Fully Sponsored Pilot Training
- Atp Flight School Scholarship
- Bill Cowden Memorial Aviation Scholarship
- EAA Scholarships
- Emirates Aviation/Pilot Training Scholarships Training Programs
- Etihad Aviation Training Scholarships
- Future Pilot Programme – Aer Lingus Scholarships
- National Aviation Explorer Scholarships
- Student Pilot Network Scholarship
- AWPA Navigation Component Scholarship
- AWPA Formation/Aerobatic Endorsement (Aeroplane) Scholarship
- Merlene Smith (nee Jackson) and Riga Medical Scholarship
- Sandra Southwell Memorial Scholarship
- The SFC Women Pilot Part Scholarship
- AWPA Andrii Antonenko Aviation Scholarship
- NSW 2000 Edna Grose Scholarship
- Mary O’Brien Silver Wings Award
- 1974 Memorial Grant
- The Freda Thompson and Claire Embling Aviation Award
- The Michelle Lappin Memorial Helicopter Scholarship
- Citation-In-Flight Scholarship by FAST
- Mommy’s Going Back-In-Flight Scholarship
- Whirly-Girls Krista Holstrom Memorial Flight Training Scholarship
- Women in Aviation Scholarships
- ISA+21 Female Pilot Scholarships
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Women in Aviation Scholarships
The Women in Aviation International offers this scholarship to 30 women who want to reach their goals in the aviation and aerospace industry.
Each scholarship recipient will receive $889,140 in the organization’s International Conference.
Eligibility and Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the scholarship, you must be a member of the Women in Aviation International and work in mid-management positions, with at least five years of working experience in the professional area of the aviation industry.
Each applicants must submit a one-page recommendation letter from a direct supervisor, an essay, and a Resúme.
ISA+21 Female Pilot Scholarships
This scholarship is from the International Society of Women Airline Pilots. The society gives over $1.4 Million in advanced flight training and other professional aviation programs to women to help them achieve their passionate dreams of becoming pilots.
Scholarship requirements include the applicants must already be enrolled in any advanced flight training program or have completed any and must have a first-class medical degree and an FAA Commercial Pilot License or its equivalent.
I Hart Flying Aviation Scholarships for Females
The I Hart Flying Foundation is a nonprofit organization that gives out female pilot scholarships to help workers of all ages reach their goals. Each recipient of the scholarship is entitled to $7,500 for flight training.
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a female from the age of 16 and either a citizen of the United States or Canada; people with permanent residency are also eligible.
Applicants must follow the organization’s donors and partners on social media platforms. No license is needed for the application, and you do not need a degree.
CAE Women in Flight Scholarship
CAE Inc., also known as Canadian Aviation Electronics, gives out scholarships to encourage women to pursue careers in the aviation industry.
The organization believes giving scholarships to women will help fill out the many opportunities in the aviation industry.
There are many scholarship varieties; some cover partial funding for training, others go of total financing, and some cover employment opportunities.
The requirements for the scholarship include all applicants must be enrolled in any training program. After sending out your application, the organization will contact you before conducting an interview.
FAST (Female Aviators Sticking Together) Scholarship
The British Women Pilots Association has many scholarships available, and one designed for women is the FAST.
FAST is a subgroup of British women pilots who love flying and wish to recruit more women with a passion for the aviation industry. Selected members are given $89,000 to help in their flight training.
The organization gets the money for the scholarship through donations by members of the public and women in the group.
Eligibility and Qualification: To be eligible, you must be a bonafide member of the organization.
List of 99s Women Pilots/aviation Scholarships
The Ninety-Nines (99s) has a ton of scholarships, links to scholarships and also recommend aviation scholarships for female pilots to help promote the advancement of the aviation industry while sharing their passion for flight.
Most of the 99s aviation scholarships are women in aviation fully sponsored pilot training scholarships while some will only give a stipulated amount (one time award).
Eligibility Requirements:
The eligibility requirement for some of these 99s scholarships includes a 99s membership while some do not, especially those that are on external sponsors.
There are over 38 scholarships for females in aviation and female pilot training scholarships on 99s.
Below are 38 aviation scholarships for women that are offered via the 99s aviation Scholarships:
- Amelia Earhart Memorial Aviation Scholarship
- Southwest Section Chapters Aviation Scholarships
- Bay Cities chapter of the 99s aviation Scholarships, worth over $4000
- Long Beach 99s:
- Long Beach chapter of the 99s scholarship worth $1,000.
- Wing Up Check Ride Scholarship by Marin 99s, worth $500
- Monterey Bay 99s Two annual scholarships for student and advanced pilots
- Mount Shasta 99s aviation Scholarship to local women, worth $1500
- Orange County 99s aviation scholarships, worth $3,000.
- Phoenix 99s Bonesteel Memorial Flight Training Scholarship, worth $2,000
- Advanced Rating Aviation Scholarship by Reno Area 99s, worth $2000
- Private Certificate Aviation Scholarship by Reno Area 99s worth $1500
- Recurrency aviation Scholarship by Reno Area 99s worth $500
- Reno High Sierra 99s Aviation Scholarship
- Rio Colorado 99s scholarships worth $1,000 for aspiring aviatrixes in the Lake Havasu or Bullhead City area.
- Sacramento Valley Chapter of the 99s, Inc aviation Scholarships
- San Diego 99s, Inc aviation Scholarships
- Nancy Stratford Flight Training Scholarship by San Diego 99s, worth $1,250
- Marian R. DeLano Memorial Scholarship by San Diego 99s, worth $1,500
- Dottie Sanders Memorial Flight Scholarship by San Diego 99s, worth $1,000
- Student Pilot Flight Training Scholarship by San Diego 99s, worth $1,000
- Darlene Kelly Advanced Certificate/Rating Flight Training Scholarship $2,000
- San Fernando Valley 99s annual scholarships foe careers in aviation
- San Joaquin Valley 99s aviation Scholarship
- 150 miles of STS–Sonoma County Airport Annual scholarship for a women pilots
- Ventura County 99s Student Pilot and Advanced Scholarships
- International Society of Women Airline Pilots Scholarship
- WAI – Women in Aviation International Scholarship
- AOPA – Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association scholarship
- EAA – Experimental Aviation Association scholarship
- NATF – National Air Transportation Foundation
- Pioneers of Flight Scholarship for college students in their sophomore or junior year
- Dan L. Meisinger Sr. Memorial Learn to Fly Scholarship for initial or primary flight training students
- NATA Business Scholarship for NATA member company employees
- Navigate Your Future Scholarship for graduating high school seniors
- Richard L. Taylor Flight Training Scholarship
- NBAA – National Business Aviation Association School, $100,000 annually in cash awards
- Southwest Section 99s International Organization of Women Pilots
Application link: visit all 99s aviation scholarships here
Edward M. Thurn Memorial Scholarship
The Whirly-Girl, an organization designed for women helicopter pilots, offers this scholarship to women who wish to advance their careers.
Whirly Girl offer over $15,000. This fun can be applied to flight instructor, commercial, turbine transition, instrument, night vision goggles (NVG), or airline transport pilot (ATP) training.
This scholarship is dedicated to Edward M. Thurn, an advocate for women having their place in the aviation industry.
Requirements:
To be considered for the scholarship, you must be a female pilot with at least a private pilot certificate/license and a member of the organization.
Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) Scholarships
The Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) has many scholarship opportunities for women interested in the aviation industry.
AWA provides education, mentoring, and networking platforms for women with challenging careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.
All varieties of women can apply, including managers and dispatchers, pilots, engineers, technicians, and mechanics.
Requirements:
Requirements for the scholarship include at least 5 years of experience in the aviation industry in mid-management positions, a recommendation letter, a personal essay, and membership in the organization.
AWPA Flight Female Training Scholarships
The Australian chapter of the Women’s Pilot Association gives scholarships to women each year regardless of age and level of experience.
Each year, the organization selects four eligible women and assists them with flight training costs of up to $8,000 per scholarship.
Criteria:
Criteria for the scholarship are; the first solo in an airplane or helicopter, a minimum of five hours cross-country flight time as a pilot in command, a female applicant from the age of 15, and membership of the organization.
The Lady Casey Scholarship
This scholarship is also from the Australian chapter of the Women’s Pilot Association to help its members earn Instructor Rating or an Instrument Rating, either fixed-wing or rotary.
These licenses and training will help female pilots advance in their careers. The scholarship offers up to $8,000, usually paid on a ”dollar-for-dollar” basis.
Requirements:
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be an Australian or have a permanent residency, be a member of the organization for two years, and have an Australian CPL.
List of 30 Female Private Pilot Scholarships
Below is a list of 20 female private pilot scholarships:
- AOPA Women in Aviation Scholarship
- 99s Blanche Noyes Scholarship
- Women in Aviation International (WAI) Scholarship
- The Ninety-Nines, Inc. Scholarship
- The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) Scholarship
- The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Scholarship
- The EAA Young Eagles Scholarship
- The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Scholarship
- The National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Scholarship
- The Women’s International Association of Aeronautics (WIAA) Scholarship
- The Ninety-Nines Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships
- The Women in Aviation International Scholarships
- The Whirly-Girls Helicopter Add-On Flight Training Scholarship
- The EAA Aviation Foundation Scholarships
- The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Scholarships
- The International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISA+21) Scholarships
- The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) Scholarships
- The Professional Pilots of Tomorrow Scholarships
- The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter Scholarships
- The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Scholarships
How to Get Scholarships for female Student pilots
There are a few things you can do when applying for a any aviation scholarship to increase your chances of getting the scholarship as a female student pilot.
To increase your chances of obtaining any scholarship that is designed for female student pilots, you have to follow these steps:
- Research for Scholarships: Explore aviation organizations, foundations, and institutions that offer scholarships for female pilots. Look for specific eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and any additional criteria.
- Prepare your application: Gather all necessary documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a well-crafted personal statement highlighting your passion for aviation and aspirations to become a pilot.
- Apply early: Be proactive and submit your scholarship applications well in advance of the deadlines. Keep track of application requirements and follow all instructions carefully.
- Make sure to meet the eligibility criteria: Ensure that you meet the specific eligibility criteria for each scholarship. Some scholarships may have requirements related to age, educational background, flight hours, or specific aviation goals.
- Highlight your achievements: Showcase any relevant aviation experience, involvement in aviation-related organizations, community service, or leadership roles that demonstrate your dedication and commitment to becoming a pilot.
- Write a strong application. The scholarship application is your chance to sell yourself to the scholarship committee. Make sure your application is well-written and error-free.
- Get letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation from people who know you well and can attest to your character and qualifications can be very helpful in the scholarship application process.
- Follow up. After you submit your application, be sure to follow up with the scholarship committee to thank them for their time and consideration.
Bottom line
All female pilot scholarships are designed to help women in the industry have the opportunity to show their talents and boost their ability to handle any challenge and become successful pilots. If finance is a challenge for you, many female pilot scholarships are available.