Post-Secondary Scholarships

Scholarship Application Process Opens October 1, 2025

Post-Secondary Scholarships

Post-secondary scholarships support students attending a post-secondary institution with a focus on aviation, including pilot training, aeronautics engineering, aviation management, airframe and powerplant (A&P) maintenance, and more. These can be used at colleges, universities, technical schools, or community colleges.

Applications are due December 19th, 2025.
Recipients will be notified of their award on March 2, 2026.

One application is used for ALL scholarships; scholarship applicants will be considered for all scholarships for which they qualify.

With the help of our generous donors, the EAA Aviation Foundation awarded over $238,000 in post-secondary scholarships, helping 46 students pursue their dreams of a career in aviation.


Owen Davenport

John S. Sandberg Scholarship

Frederick Donkor

  • H.P. Bud Milligan Aviation Scholarship
  • EAA Education Scholarship

Application Considerations:

  • All applications are reviewed against the criteria for the individual scholarships and then awarded to those who show the greatest potential to be actively engaged in aviation.
  • We look for well-rounded applicants, who have a strong passion for aviation and have participated in aviation and nonaviation clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities.
  • Volunteering for local organizations, both aviation and nonaviation related, will highlight your application to the selection committee.
  • While not required, we give preference to applicants who are EAA members or members of their local EAA chapter
  • We require a minimum 2.5 GPA required to apply. Some individual scholarships have their own GPA requirement that may be higher.
  • To apply, you must be a citizen or resident of the United States or Canada or be eligible to work or study in the United States or Canada, such as through a visa.
  • You are not eligible for a scholarship if you hold a master’s or doctorate degree
Frequently Asked Questions

What does a scholarship cover?

Flight training scholarships may be used to cover costs at any flight training school in the United States and Canada that is not a university program.

Post-secondary scholarships may be used to cover costs for collegiate level programs in the United States including, but not limited to: aerospace or aeronautical engineering, aviation business administration, air traffic control, aviation maintenance, professional flight, or any aviation-related STEM field.


Ray Aviation Scholarships

Information about Ray Aviation Scholarships can be found here.


Do I have to be an EAA member to apply?

You do not need to be a current EAA member to apply for a scholarship, but EAA members and active EAA chapter members are prioritized during the selection process.


Do I have to currently be enrolled in a program to apply?

For flight training scholarships, if you are not currently in a program, we urge you to contact the flight training school as soon as possible. Scholarship funds must be used by March 1 following the year of awarding. This means you must complete the certification or rating you are pursuing before this date.

We award post-secondary scholarships to both current and incoming students. Scholarship funds must be used by March 1 following the year of awarding, meaning you must be enrolled at your chosen educational institution before that date.


What are the age requirements to apply for a flight training scholarship?

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a flight training or post-secondary scholarship.


What are the eligibility criteria to be awarded a scholarship?

Selection criteria varies based on individual scholarships; please use the links above to read about all our individual scholarships.


Can international students apply?

International students may apply but need to be attending or plan to attend a program in the United States or Canada. Proof of eligibility to study in the United States will be required.


When can I apply for a flight training scholarship?

Applications are open October 1 - December 19 of each year.


Are you strict about the application deadline?

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. No exceptions will be made for missing the final application deadline.


Does the application require a recommendation?

On your application, you will be asked to enter the name of one non-relative character reference. Once you submit your application, your reference will be sent a link to complete the online recommendation. Please ask your reference to complete the recommendation before the application deadline. Applications will be considered late and will not be accepted if the recommendation is not complete by the deadline.


Does the application require a copy of my transcripts?

For post-secondary scholarships, you will be asked to upload the most recent copy of your transcripts. The transcript should include the name of the school, all the courses you have taken, and the grade you earned in each course. It should also include your cumulative, unweighted grade point average (GPA). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.


What GPA should I use?

Your GPA should be unweighted using a 4.00 scale.


Will I be notified when my application was received?

You will receive an automatic email notification when your application has been submitted.


When will I be notified if I am selected for a scholarship?

All winners and non-winners will receive an email sent to the email address listed on your application on or shortly after March 2. Please list an email address that you check often! If you have not received an email, please check your spam folder.


What are the next steps if I am awarded a scholarship?

If you win a scholarship, you will be sent an email with documents for completion. Once EAA has received these, the disbursement process will begin.

EAA will send a check directly to the flight school or post-secondary institution.*

For flight training scholarships, the first installment will be 40% of the total amount awarded. After certain benchmarks, the next 40% will be dispersed. Once you have completed the certification or rating you are pursuing, the remaining 20% will be awarded.

*Please note, you have one year from the date of your award to use the funds of an EAA scholarship if the scholarship is non-renewable. If not all money is used during this designated year, the money will revert back to the EAA Scholarship Fund.

Additional questions should be directed to Scholarships@EAA.org.

Available Scholarships


  • Harry E. Arcamuzi Aviation Scholarship

    Supports an inner city student with a GPA of at least 2.0 to pursue a career in the field of aviation following high school. May be renewed up to 3 additional years.

  • Aviation Tax Consultants Scholarship

    Supports a high school graduate pursuing a non-pilot aviation career, preference given to air-traffic controller or aviation business, management, or administration, and who demonstrates financial need.

  • Michael Blume Memorial Scholarship
    • Supports a student in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin who has a GPA of 3.2 or above, and is enrolled in an aviation program.
    • Michael was an air traffic controller with the FAA for 24 years as well as a pilot with nearly 10,000 hours. He inspired many people to follow careers in aviation as pilots, flight instructors, and air traffic controllers. He was also a flight instructor who always taught safety first and foremost, and believed it was important for pilots and air traffic controllers to understand the environment and challenges each face in their profession.

  • Jack Burnham Fund

    Supports students enrolled in a four-year college, university, or post-secondary school with emphasis on aviation field, such as aeronautics, engineering, or pilot training. Requires a minimum GPA of 2.5, with priority given to students from Jackson Hole High School in Wyoming.

  • Corporate Aircraft Association Scholarship

    Supports a student enrolled in a post-secondary educational program with special emphasis or course work on the business aspects of the aviation industry, who also holds a private pilot certificate or is actively pursuing flight training. Given to a student with demonstrated financial need and who is actively supporting their own education financially.

  • Chaudoin Scholarship
    • Supports a student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who is attending a college or university to pursue a program leading to a career as an airline pilot.
    • Michelle “Chelle” Chaudoin was a commercial pilot and demonstrated proficiency in instrument flying. She was above average in academics, participated in many extracurricular activities, and was a member of several aviation organizations. She pursued an aeronautics career with a major in industrial supervision at Arizona State University. In her third year, in 1980, Michelle met her untimely death as a passenger in a mid-air collision.

  • Herbert L. Cox Memorial Scholarship

    Funds a student pursuing a degree at a 4-year university in a field directly related to aviation, who has demonstrated financial need. Preference given to students who work during the school year.

  • Harrison Ford Education Scholarship

    Supports an EAA Young Eagle in their dreams of flight or another career in aviation, preference given to those with financial need. Can support EAA Air Academy tuition, flight training, or any aviation-related degree or technical program.

  • Clay Lacy Foundation Scholarship

    The Clay Lacy Foundation Scholarship partners the University of North Dakota and EAA's Air Academy. Students must apply for the program through UND, and if accepted, will receive a scholarship upon completion of their time as a counselor at Air Academy.

  • H.P. Bud Milligan Aviation Scholarship

    Renewable scholarship, available to a student attending an accredited, approved aviation program at a college, technical school, or aviation academy

    • Bud was deployed to England in 1941 during WWII through the Royal Canadian Air and later volunteered to go to Malta, an island heavily bombed during the war. He was shot in the ankle when his plane got hit mid-flight but was able to land successfully. He finished out his service with the RCAF as a flight instructor. Bud continued his career flying for multiple airlines, retiring from his final post at Douglas Aircraft Company in 1985.

  • David Mineck Memorial Scholarship
    • Supports students in pursuing a post-secondary education in the field of aerospace.
    • David was a passionate private pilot of both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, and a longtime member of EAA. Davis spent the first 30 years of his career holding Senior Director and VP Positions in both the General Aviation and Air Transport Divisions. In 1995, David joined Kaiser Electronics and finished out his tenure as President. After retiring in 2000, he continued to work as a consultant the field of avionics and served on the board of several international companies.

  • Robert F. Pauley Scholarship in Historic Aviation Research

    Available to a student who has an interest in or is completing coursework in historical aviation research, the history of aviation, early aeronautical innovation, or other similar related fields. Preference given to students from Western Michigan University, but may be awarded to a student from any university.

  • Payzer Scholarship

    Given to a student attending a tech education focused program, who is pursuing a career in engineering, physical or biological sciences, or math, and has demonstrated financial need.

  • Lee and Cookie Perrizo Scholarship
    • Supports a student pursuing a post-secondary aviation-focused educational program, preferably from Wisconsin.
    • Lee Perrizo owned and operated the FBO in Fond du Lac and was the airport manager for over twenty years. He accumulated over 25,000 hours of flying time after 52 years in the aviation business. His wife Cookie Perrizo was a RN most of her life but retired from that profession to assist Lee at the FDL airport. Lee was recognized for his aviation career with both the Wright Master Pilot and Taylor Mechanic Aviation Awards in 2012.

  • Timothy Peterson Education Scholarship
    • Supports a high-school aged student in their career-related aspirations in the field of aviation and related technology and skills, who has support and guidance of their local EAA chapter.
    • After taking his first flight at the Watsonville CA Fly-In, Tim immediately learned to fly and obtained his A&P license, later earning all certificates through ATP. He worked for many years as a flight instructor, corporate pilot, and flew for the Division of Aeronautics in Idaho, as well as an aviation insurance broker and aircraft sales consultant. Tim was a long time EAA member and was proud of his work on Don Taylor’s T-18 that flew around the world and now hangs in the EAA museum. Tim met his wife Jan while she was obtaining her flight instructor certificate, and they flew many years together in a C-210 and PA12. Tim knew that the future for aviation rests in inspiring young people into such a rewarding field.

  • John Sandberg A&P Scholarship Fund
    • Supports a student pursuing an A&P Certificate. Student must be of at least 19 years old and have volunteer hours in some aspect of aviation.
    • John was born and raised in Minnesota in 1931. John opened his aircraft engine shop in Plymouth, Minnesota, in 1969. In addition to being a successful businessman, John pursued his passion for aviation in all aspects of his life. John built many aircraft, including Tsunami, a remarkable one-off air racer that could fly more than 500 mph. John promoted excellence and encouraged others to set high standards in their endeavors. He showcased the best in aviation, driving innovation, progress, and improvement.
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