Whirly-Girls Scholarships
Offered by Whirly-Girls International
About This Scholarship
Whirly-Girls International is the association of women helicopter pilots, founded in 1955 and named for the informal fellowship of the first women to fly rotorcraft. Its annual scholarship program is one of the largest in vertical aviation: the 2027 cycle lists 23 separate scholarships, from $556 online private-pilot ground school prep awards to a roughly $51,900 Coptersafety AW169 ATP type-rating package, with winners honored at the VERTICON convention.
The lineup covers nearly every stage of a helicopter career. Entry awards fund initial certificates (Bristow Group, $7,500) and commercial training (Lora Trout, $6,000), while advanced awards include the $20,000 Edward M. Thurn Memorial rating scholarship, a roughly $19,275 Leading Edge instrument rating, and a $30,645 Precision LLC vertical-reference utility course. Maintenance-minded members can pursue MD Helicopters A&P training awards of $4,915 each, and safety offerings include Robinson factory courses and Survival Systems water-egress training.
Applicants must join Whirly-Girls or become an Associate member before applying, and each scholarship carries its own experience prerequisites, so candidates should match their certificates and hours against the individual listings before starting an application.
Eligibility
- Must be a current Whirly-Girls member or Associate member (join by October 14, 2026 for the 2027 cycle)
- Open to women helicopter pilots and aspiring helicopter pilots worldwide
- Each scholarship has its own certificate, rating, or experience prerequisites
- Must remain a member in good standing through the application and award process
How To Apply
- Join Whirly-Girls International by the membership cutoff, review the Current Scholarship Offerings page to pick the awards that match your certificates and goals, and submit the online application with the required materials before the October deadline. Questions go to [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a helicopter pilot already?
Not for every award. Several scholarships fund initial helicopter certificates or online ground school for beginners, while others require existing ratings for advanced training such as instrument, ATP, or type ratings.
How much are the scholarships worth?
The 2027 cycle ranges from $556 ground-school prep awards to training packages worth roughly $51,900, with most flight-training awards in the $5,000 to $30,000 range.
Is membership required?
Yes. You must be a current Whirly-Girl or Associate member by October 14, 2026 and stay in good standing throughout the process.