Scholarships | School of Aviation | SIU

CEPA's 2024 Scholarship Application Window is Now Open

Apply Today, but please read these ground rules first.

The Chicago Executive Pilots Association (CEPA), through the PAPA Scholarship fund, will award one or more scholarships to individuals who are Illinois residents and who are attending an Illinois institution of higher education as a sopomore, junior or senior in an aviation program.

If you believe you can qualify for one of these scholarships, please apply.

NOTE: The requirements and process of applying in each category (Academic and Flight) have changed. Be sure to read them carefully.

Visit CEPA for more information and application.

Completed application packets must be received by May 1, 2024

The planning committee for the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 11th National Aviation System Planning Symposium (NASPS) welcomes applications of interest for scholarship assistance to those in need of support to facilitate their attendance at the event to take place May 15-18th 2023 in Irvine, California. Students, in particular, are welcome to apply for a registration fee waiver and/or travel stipend of $500.

Please visit the symposium website for more information about the event and the scholarship application process. We also encourage students to consider presenting at the event either in a lectern session or poster session. Presentation applications can be submitted through the symposium website. A detailed agenda is available for UAA members and other persons considering participation in the 11th NASPS.

For more information, please contact Christine Gerencher at cgerencher@nas.edu.

This scholarship has been established to honor the memory of David Main, a 1978 graduate of SIU, who from the time he was a child, to the very last days of his life, enjoyed a passion for aviation that never died.

David became a licensed pilot while still in high school, inspired by his favorite Uncle, a Braniff Airways Captain and Piper Cub enthusiast. As a freshman at SIU, David initially enrolled in the Aviation Technology Program to train for an A&P license, but later transferred to the Business school to major in Accounting with a concentration in Aviation. Although he switched his academic focus, he continued flying and worked at the SIU School of Aviation as a certified flight instructor with instrument rating (CFII) in his free time.  

After college, his career took him in many directions, but he remained lifelong friends with the guys he met in those first A&P classes and continued to remain active in aviation including flying his own Cirrus SR22T for many years. After decades in the world of accounting, finance and institutional investing, he returned to his childhood passion and became a commercial pilot with Express Jet, earning an Embraer ERJ145 Type Rating at the age of 61!

David never forgot the struggles he faced, especially as a young man, balancing the love of flying with the realities of the significant financial commitment that is associated with aviation training. As a teenager, he worked hard to earn money to cover the costs of flight time, but he also had the help of family members who provided additional funds to help him achieve his goals. Years later, when David’s son showed an interest in becoming a pilot at a young age, David and his wife continued the family tradition, providing financial assistance for flight training, while also requiring their son to contribute by earning money on his own.

The David D. Main Scholarship honors this commitment of helping the next generation of student pilots achieve their dreams. The love of aviation can take many forms and manifest in many ways but as David and other pilots know, the common denominator is a love of flying that can influence the course of one’s life journey, bringing thrills, joys and friendships that last a lifetime.

To apply for this scholarship, log into the Saluki Scholarship Portal at https://siu.academicworks.com/.

This application due date is February 15, 2024.

This fund is being established to honor the memory of Esther Emma Rose Noffke and her contributions to aviation education. During World War II, Ms. Noffke joined ‘WASP’ Women Airforce Service Pilots, and was assigned to the 318th AAF Flying Detachment in Sweetwater, TX. She received her pilot certificate in June 1944 and was assigned B-26 flying duty at McGowen Field, Boise, ID, where she flew military air training equipment around the country.

Ms. Noffke worked as a flight instructor with Priester Aviation through the 1970s, and continued working for Priester Aviation until she passed away in 2013 at the age of 91. In April of 2010, Ms. Noffke received the Congressional Gold Medal as WASPs were recognized for service to their country. In 1997, she was elected to the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame. The link to the Scholarship application is listed below:

To apply for this scholarship, log into the Saluki Scholarship Portal at https://siu.academicworks.com/.

This application due date is February 15, 2024.

Victor Davis was the President of the Black Aviation Association, a registered student organization at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, at the time of his death in 1993. Victor’s lifelong dream was to earn his Federal Aviation Administration flight certificates and then fly for a major airline. Victor was in the process of completing his commercial pilot certificate at SIUC with an instrument rating when he passed away. The goal of the Victor Davis Memorial Aviation Scholarship is to help aviation flight and/or aviation management students at SIUC with their educational costs. The link to the Scholarship application is listed below:

To apply for this scholarship, log into the Saluki Scholarship Portal at https://siu.academicworks.com/.

This application due date is February 15, 2024.

Mr. Garton was a proud member of the Aviation Flight Program faculty at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and an enthusiastic promoter of aviation as a career and avocation. This scholarship is being established to provide financial assistance to young men and women whose lives include aviation as a major theme. The link to the Scholarship application is listed below:

To apply for this scholarship, log into the Saluki Scholarship Portal at https://siu.academicworks.com/.

This application due date is February 15, 2024.

The Frasca International Scholarship was established by Frasca International, a manufacturer of flight training equipment for airlines, flight schools and military organizations worldwide. Founded in 1958, Frasca has delivered over 2,400 devices to over 70 countries, including simulators in the SIU Transportation Education Center. The Frasca family has a long history with the SIU Aviation programs. Several members of the family have attended classes at SIU and participated in the Flying Salukis. The link to the Scholarship application is listed below:

To apply for this scholarship, log into the Saluki Scholarship Portal at https://siu.academicworks.com/.

This application due date is February 15, 2024.

To honor Mr. Howell’s substantial contributions to the aviation field (particularly related to airport management and planning), an endowment fund was established at SIUC in his memory in April 1982. The link to the Scholarship application is listed below:

To apply for this scholarship, log into the Saluki Scholarship Portal at https://siu.academicworks.com/.

This application due date is February 15, 2024.

This scholarship was established to honor LuAnn Gatewood, a former flight instructor in the SIU Aviation Flight program, and her sister, Gina Gatewood Trover. It was established to assist students who are currently enrolled in the Aviation Flight, Associate of Applied Science degree program through the College of Applied Sciences and Arts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The link to the Scholarship application is listed below:

To apply for this scholarship, log into the Saluki Scholarship Portal at https://siu.academicworks.com/.

This application due date is February 15, 2024.

The Scholarship is dedicated to recognizing students with a strong involvement or commitment to overcoming adversity. The scholarship’s namesake, Ryan McShane is a successful aviator at the top of his career and fighting every day to overcome Stage 4 colon cancer. Instead of giving up, Ryan has charged forward using a positive attitude to beat this life-threatening disease. All he asks is for his story to inspire others. The link to the Scholarship application is listed below:

To apply for this scholarship, log into the Saluki Scholarship Portal at https://siu.academicworks.com/.

This application due date is February 15, 2024.

WTS Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship

The WTS Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship is given to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field. The Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship through the Greater Chicago Chapter is $3,000. The winner of the Greater Chicago Chapter scholarship will be nominated for the WTS International Foundation scholarship of $5,000.

Read more and download the application.

WTS Paula Hammond Leadership Legacy Scholarship

Through this award, the Greater Chicago Chapter provides $3,000 scholarship to an outstanding young woman pursuing graduate studies working toward a career in transportation or a related field, and who demonstrates a specific interest in advancing transportation innovation. The winner of the Greater Chicago Chapter scholarship will be nominated for the WTS International Foundation scholarship of $5,000.

Read more and download the application.

WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates

The WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field who demonstrate leadership skills, ability, and interest. The Molitoris Leadership Scholarship through the Greater Chicago Chapter is $2,000. The winner of the Greater Chicago Chapter scholarship will be nominated for the WTS International Foundation scholarship of $5,000.

Read more and download the application.

WTS Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship

The WTS Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship is awarded to women pursuing graduate studies in transportation or a related field. The Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship through the Greater Chicago Chapter is $5,000. The winner of the Greater Chicago Chapter scholarship will be nominated for the WTS International Foundation scholarship of $10,000.

Read more and download the application.

WTS Chicago Diversity in Transportation Scholarship

The Diversity in Transportation Scholarship is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in transportation or a related field who demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement and diversity/inclusion. The Diversity in Transportation Scholarship through the Greater Chicago Chapter is $2,000.

Read more and download the application.

WTS Chicago Executive Partnership Scholarships

WTS Greater Chicago Chapter is offering special scholarships for the 2022-23 School Year. We are excited to announce nine Executive Partner Scholarships*. These scholarships will be for $2,000 each and will honor exceptional students who demonstrate a continued interest in a career in the transportation industry upon graduation.

Read more and download the application.

This year’s financial scholarships include the Ken Johnson Memorial Scholarship, CABAA Maintenance Committee Financial Scholarship, and the CABAA General Financial Scholarship; each scholarship being set at $8000 for this year. We have also added a new CABAA Professional Development Award set at $2000. This award is not specifically tied to college, and could be applicable to staff, alumni, or really anyone interested in a business aviation career.

The training awards this year include two pilot type ratings with the FlightSafety/CAE Professional Pilot Training Awards, two initial jet maintenance training with the FlightSafety/CAE Professional Maintenance Training Awards, and continued maintenance training with the FlightSafety Principles of Troubleshooting Training Award.

The applications can be downloaded here: https://www.cabaa.com/applications

Current students are also encouraged to sign up for a FREE CABAA student membership.

The Ninety-Nines offer aviation scholarships through local chapters and through the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund (AEMSF, an endowed trust fund of more than $5.5 million which provides significant scholarship aid to women pilots and student pilots. The Fund has awarded over 1,100 scholarships providing over $11.5 million in scholarship aid for initial ratings, advanced ratings, academic degree and Research Scholar Grants, helping hundreds of women achieve their aviation dreams.

Entering students, as well as advanced students, who don’t yet have a pilot’s license may be also be interested in applying for AEMSF Fly-Now Awards, semi-annual grants of up to $6,000 toward an initial pilot rating for women who are learning to fly. Since October 2013, AEMSF has awarded over 225 Fly Now Awards. For the spring 2020 Fly Now Awards, applicants need to join the 99s as student members by January 1 and submit their applications by April 1. For the fall 2020 Fly Now Awards applicants need to join the 99s by July 1 and submit applications for the Fall Fly Now Awards by October 1. Additional Information and rules for applying for Fly Now Awards are available at https://www.ninety-nines.org/scholarships.htm . 

In addition to the Fly Now Scholarships, the AEMSF also offers scholarships to complete an additional pilot certificate, rating or pilot training course, including instrument, multi-engine, commercial, ATP, flight instructor, emergency maneuver training, tail wheel endorsements and all kinds of type ratings, including jet type ratings.  What is unique about these scholarships is that they cover the full cost of the training. Most of the scholarships in this group require prior membership in the 99s. The Fund also offers scholarships for college students majoring in aviation-related fields.

Additional information about scholarships offered by the AEMSF can be found at https://www.ninety-nines.org/scholarships.htm .

The University Aviation Association (UAA) awards thousands of scholarships every year either directly or through UAA affiliates. Check the links often to check for updated deadlines and new scholarships. If you have any questions or need the SIU UAA number contact Gail Avendano.

https://www.uaa.aero/affiliated_scholarships.php

https://www.uaa.aero/uaa_scholarships.php

There are a variety of scholarships available at https://www.atca.org/scholarship.

www.atca.org