Tailhook Educational Foundation Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by Tailhook Educational Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Tailhook Educational Foundation is the scholarship arm of the Tailhook Association, the professional organization of carrier aviation. It is one of the larger military-family programs that most people have never heard of: in 2026 the foundation awarded 168 scholarships to 159 students, distributing more than $750,000, with grants running from $3,500 for most recipients up to two top awards of $20,000 per year.
Eligibility reaches further than most aviation scholarships. Applicants must be the natural, step, or adopted children — or grandchildren — of current or former Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, or Naval Aircrewmen. The door is also open to descendants of anyone who served aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, which brings in thousands of families beyond the cockpit community. Applicants must be high school graduates accepted for undergraduate enrollment at an accredited college.
The application window is short and unforgiving: it opens at noon Pacific on December 15, 2026 and closes at noon Pacific on February 16, 2027, with all supporting documents due in the foundation's office by the closing date. Students reapply annually rather than holding a renewable award, and the average grant tops $5,000.
Eligibility
- Child or grandchild (natural, step, or adopted) of a current or former U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer, or Naval Aircrewman — OR child or grandchild of someone who served aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier
- High school graduate (or graduating senior) accepted for undergraduate enrollment at an accredited college or university
- Documentation of the sponsor's qualifying service is required with the application
How To Apply
- Gather documentation of your parent's or grandparent's naval aviation or carrier service
- Access the application at tailhook.net/scholarship-application when it opens at 12:00 noon PT on December 15, 2026
- Submit the application and all supporting documents (transcripts, service documentation) by 12:00 noon PT on February 16, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a parent who was a pilot to qualify?
No. Children and grandchildren of Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, and Aircrewmen qualify, but so do descendants of anyone who served aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in any role.
How much are Tailhook scholarships worth?
In the 2026 cycle, most recipients received $3,500, the overall average topped $5,000, and the two top grants were $20,000 per year. More than 150 scholarships are awarded annually.
Is the scholarship renewable?
Awards are made annually. Students may reapply each year they remain eligible rather than holding an automatically renewing scholarship.