AOPA High School Flight Training Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by AOPA Foundation (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)
About This Scholarship
The AOPA Foundation's You Can Fly program runs one of the largest flight training scholarship efforts in the country, and its high school track awards at least 90 scholarships of $12,000 each to students aged 16 to 18 who are working toward a private pilot certificate. Funds are delivered to recipients on a prepaid expense card, and training must be completed within 12 months of the award.
Applicants must be current AOPA members — high school students qualify for free membership, so there is no cost barrier — and must have already passed the FAA Private Pilot written knowledge exam before applying, along with holding at least a 2.7 GPA. That knowledge-test requirement rewards students who have shown real commitment to aviation before asking for funding.
One general application matches students to all scholarships they qualify for. The fall application window runs October 1 through December 30, with award decisions announced by April 15.
Eligibility
- High school student aged 16-18 pursuing a private pilot certificate
- Current AOPA member (membership is free for high school students)
- Passed the FAA Private Pilot written knowledge exam before applying
- Minimum 2.7 GPA
- Resident of the U.S., D.C., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands
How To Apply
- Create an account in AOPA's scholarship application system during the October 1 - December 30 window
- Complete the single general application to be matched against all eligible awards
- Upload your transcript, references, and required documents before the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline — late applications are rejected
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for AOPA membership to apply?
No. AOPA membership is required, but high school students qualify for free membership, so there is no cost to meet the requirement or to apply.
How are the scholarship funds paid out?
Funds go directly to recipients via a prepaid expense card rather than to a flight school, and flight training must be completed within 12 months of the award date.