The NBAA Charities scholarship program, generously supported by NBAA member donors, offers nearly $100,000 annually in cash awards as tuition reimbursement for enrolled students and nearly the same amount in monetary and training awards for working professionals in business aviation, including pilots, maintenance professionals, schedulers, dispatchers, flight attendants and flight technicians.

Upcoming Application Deadlines

The following scholarship programs have upcoming application deadlines. This page is updated regularly as new applications become available.

Dec. 16, 2024 AMT Maintenance Scholarships
Dec. 16, 2024 Hank Hilsmann Memorial Scholarship
Dec. 30, 2024 International Operators Scholarship

Scholarships for Students

NBAA Charities currently offers the following scholarships to highly qualified students studying aviation-related curricula at institutions of higher learning. These scholarships are typically offered on an annual basis with each scholarship’s application available at least 30 days before the application deadline.

  • Al Conklin and Bill de Decker Business Aviation Management Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate

    1. Full-time undergraduate enrolled or accepted into an aviation management program at two or four year school;

    2. rising sophomore or higher standing,

    3. with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

    Award Amount
    Up to $5,000 for educational costs
  • Corporate Aircraft Association Scholarship for Future Aviation Leaders

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Aspiring business aviation schedulers or dispatchers, maintenance professionals, pilots or flight attendants.
    Award Amount
    Funds of up to $1,250 will be awarded to 4 individuals
  • John F. Rahilly Memorial Scholarship for Future A&P Technicians Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    A student currently enrolled in an FAR part 147 A&P program.
    Award Amount
    Funds of $1,000 to be used for educational costs.
  • Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Full-time undergraduate students enrolled or accepted into an aviation management program at an two or four year school; rising sophomore or higher standing, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
    Candidates should possess a passion for aviation and demonstrate honesty, integrity and selflessness.
    Award Amount
    Five awards of $4,500 for educational costs
  • Steve Brown Leadership Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    • Students currently enrolled in a university aviation program that is a member of UAA and NBAA (preference will be given to AABI-accredited institutions)
    • Sophomore standing or higher
    • Minimum GPA of 3.0
    Award Amount
    Two awards of $1,500 each, made payable directly to the institution in which the student is enrolled
  • UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    • Full-time undergraduate enrolled in aviation-related curricula at an NBAA/UAA member school
    • Rising sophomore or higher standing
    • Minimum GPA of 3.0
    Award Amount
    A minimum of $1,000 towards educational costs
  • William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Business aviation maintenance technician
    Award Amount
    Two awards of $2,500 for educational costs

Scholarships for Working Professionals

In addition to offering scholarships for students, NBAA Charities also offers several monetary and training scholarships to promote professionalism and career advancement for aviation professionals such as flight department managers, pilots, maintenance technicians, schedulers, dispatchers, flight attendants and flight technicians. These scholarships are administered by NBAA standing committees and would not be possible without the generous financial support of NBAA member donors.These scholarships are typically offered on an annual basis with each scholarship’s application available at least 30 days before the application deadline.

  • AMT Maintenance Scholarships

    Application Deadline
    Dec. 16, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Current or aspiring business aviation maintenance technicians.
    Award Amount
    One of several courses donated by 14 education and training providers.
  • C&W Family Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Business aviation professionals
    Award Amount
    Funds of up to $2,500 to be used for advanced aviation professional education. Examples would be the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program, Professional Development Program (PDP) courses and other advanced aviation courses.
  • Certified Aviation Manager Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Jul. 26, 2019
    Target Candidate
    Aviation managers who are also qualified CAM exam candidates in pursuit of their CAM certification—or current CAMs pursuing recertification.
    Award Amount
    CAM Candidates: $1,225; Current CAMs: $300
  • Cheri Rudd Memorial Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Business aviation professionals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to customer service, life-long learning and helping others.
    Award Amount
    Funds of up to $2,500 to attend professional training with a particular emphasis on customer service. There will be up to two awards each year. Examples of training within the scope of this scholarship award include, but are not limited to: NBAA Leadership Conference, NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, Disney Institute, Ritz-Carlton, NBAA PDP Courses.
  • Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Jul. 31, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Current or aspiring business aviation flight attendants and flight technicians.
    Award Amount
    Monetary and training awards
  • Hank Hilsmann Memorial Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Dec. 16, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Current or aspiring business aviation maintenance technicians and military personnel transitioning to business aviation.
    Award Amount
    Two Falcon Jet aircraft initial maintenance courses, plus travel expenses
  • International Operators Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Dec. 30, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Individuals entering the business aviation industry, or current aviation professionals seeking to expand their career in international operations.
    Award Amount
    Educational or training costs up to $9,000
  • Jake Cartwright Leadership Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Aviation professionals who are also qualified CAM exam candidates in pursuit of their CAM certification
    Award Amount
    $1,799 to cover CAM application fee, CAM Study Guide, exam registration fee and registration for the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE)
  • Leadership Conference Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Nov. 17, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Aviation professionals interested in developing their leadership skills by attending the annual NBAA Leadership Conference.
    Award Amount
    Complimentary Leadership Conference registration and a small travel stipend
  • Schedulers & Dispatchers Training Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Nov. 4, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Current and aspiring schedulers and dispatchers
    Award Amount
    Various. Review the training options below.
  • Schedulers and Dispatchers Monetary Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Nov. 4, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Current and aspiring schedulers and dispatchers
    Award Amount
    Up to $10,000 for continuing scheduler/dispatcher education or training
  • Young Professionals in Business Aviation (YoPro) Scholarship

    Application Deadline
    Aug. 12, 2024
    Target Candidate
    Young Professionals in Business Aviation
    Award Amount
    Various Training Awards

For More Information

NBAA Charities is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. All donations made to NBAA Charities are tax deductible. Companies wishing to donate funds or training awards in support of scholarships may make donations by check payable to “NBAA Charities” and sent to:

NBAA Charities
1200 G St. NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005

Note the name of the specific scholarship in the check "remarks" field. All monetary donations to NBAA Charities will include a 10% administrative fee.

Direct all questions about the NBAA scholarship program to NBAA’s Molly Hitch at 202-783-9353 or scholarships@nbaa.org.