Aviation & Transportation Scholarships

Legal U.S. residents who have lived in Alaska for at least two of the past three years and have no felony convictions may apply for Alaska Airmen spring aviation scholarships. Categories include piloting, maintenance, air traffic control, airport management, and other aviation pursuits. Scholarships are worth up to $10,000. The number of awards varies. High school seniors should include acceptance letters from aviation schools or recommendation letters from a certified flight instructor. Submit the spring application between January 1 and March 3. The Alaska Airmen partner with aviation legends to support the next generation of aviators in Alaska's diverse aviation industry.

Women and non-binary graduate students with a 3.0 or higher GPA enrolled in transportation-related fields such as engineering, planning, finance, or logistics who plan transportation careers may apply for the Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship through their local WTS chapter. One national award of $10,000 is selected from chapter nominees. Scholarships are competitive and weigh transportation career goals, academic record, and transportation-related activities. Apply through your local WTS chapter by its posted deadline. National winners are announced at the WTS Annual Conference.

Full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at an Indiana college or university with career goals in transportation engineering, planning, or construction management may apply. Undergraduate awards reach up to $8,000 ($4,000 per semester) and graduate awards up to $4,000 ($2,000 per semester) for the academic year. Multiple recipients are selected annually; the top scorer receives the Jim Loew Award. Applications are due February 20 each year. The application includes educational history, employment, activities, and a faculty recommendation. The Indiana Section of ITE renamed this award in 1999 to honor Edward J. Cox, a longtime section leader.

Minority graduating high school seniors from the Dallas/Fort Worth area pursuing transportation-related careers may apply for COMTO North Texas scholarships. Five awards are granted annually with amounts up to $5,000. Funds may cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Eligible fields include engineering, business, logistics, urban planning, and other transportation-related studies. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum 2.5 GPA. College students are not eligible. COMTO North Texas supports minorities building careers in the transportation industry.

Female-identifying undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited Maryland college or university with a 3.0 or higher GPA who plan a transportation-related career may apply. The WTS Baltimore Chapter awards one $5,000 scholarship. Submit a resume, current college transcript, recommendation letters, and a personal statement through the chapter application by November 17.

Female graduate students pursuing transportation or related fields who demonstrate leadership and community service may compete for this national scholarship after winning at the chapter level. One $5,000 Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship is awarded annually. Eligible fields include transportation engineering, planning, finance, communications, and logistics. Applicants need a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applications are submitted through local WTS chapters. Chapter deadlines vary. Submit academic records, relevant experience, and a personal statement.

Women with a 3.0 or higher GPA enrolled in undergraduate or graduate transportation-related programs at schools in Oregon or southwest Washington may apply. The WTS Portland Chapter awards three Gail Achterman Leadership Scholarships of $5,000 each. Eligible programs include transportation engineering, planning, finance, communications, operations, and logistics, as well as junior college and trade school pathways. Submit an application highlighting transportation goals, academic achievements, and transportation-related activities. Chapter deadlines vary.

Women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field may compete for this national scholarship after winning at the chapter level. One $5,000 Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded. The fund honors Sharon D. Banks, former general manager of the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District. Applications are submitted through local WTS chapters with transcripts, recommendation letters, and a personal statement. Chapter deadlines vary.

Freshman through graduate students at an accredited university with a minimum 3.4 GPA and a major or course of study relevant to transportation, travel, or tourism (broadly interpreted) may apply. ABA and non-ABA members are eligible. Two $5,000 scholarships are awarded. Apply through the buses.org account portal.

High school seniors and college students planning or attending accredited avionics or aircraft maintenance programs may apply for multiple named AEA scholarships. Separate funds also support AEA member employees, dependents, and flight training for technicians. Individual named awards range from about $1,000 to $5,000 or more (Gogo, Davis, Tarbox, Kevin Miesbach, Garmin, and others). Some member-linked awards cover convention registration and travel. Apply online by April 1 each year for the upcoming academic year. The 2026-27 deadline passed April 1, 2026; applications reopen in October for 2027-28. The Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million to future avionics and AMT technicians since inception.