Pioneers of Flight Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by National Air Transportation Association

In 1989, the National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) initiated the Pioneers of Flight Scholarship Program. This program was designed to provide financial support and motivation to young individuals striving for academic excellence. The overarching aim of NATF, through these scholarships, is to stimulate and advance careers within the general aviation sector.

Qualification Criteria

To be considered for the Pioneers of Flight Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a sophomore or junior year college student, enrolled full-time in an aviation degree program at a recognized four-year college or university
• Maintain a high academic standard with a GPA of 3.0 or above, on a 4.0 scale
• Show a clear interest in pursuing a career in the field of general aviation

Scholarship Details

Each year, two Pioneers of Flight scholarships, each worth $1,000, are awarded. These funds are intended to support one year of full-time undergraduate study.

Application Process

Students interested in applying must submit a completed application along with the necessary documents NO LATER than the final Friday in December.

• A full transcript of grades (one original and three copies)
• A letter of recommendation
• An essay on the topic of general aviation
• A document outlining career aspirations in the general aviation field

All submitted information is treated as confidential and becomes the property of NATF. Only the screening committee and NATF officials will review the applications.

Notification of Award

By the end of April, scholarship recipients will receive written notification. All other applicants will be informed in writing by mid-May. The names of our scholarship winners are announced in general aviation publications, such as our Aviation Business Journal, and are also highlighted on our website.

Disbursement of Scholarships

The Pioneers of Flight Scholarship checks will be issued jointly to the recipient and their respective college/university (requiring endorsement by both parties). The scholarship checks will be sent to the address provided on the scholarship acknowledgement form by each recipient.

Responsibilities

Recipients must provide copies of relevant records and inform NATF of any changes in address, school enrollment, or other pertinent information. Apart from these stipulations, NATF, its scholarship selection committee, or the National Air Transportation Association do not assume any other obligations. Any tax liability will be the sole responsibility of the recipient.

Amendments

NATF retains the right to evaluate and modify the terms and procedures of this scholarship, including the possibility of termination, at any time. Changes to the program will not affect scholarships that have already been approved.