AYA Scholarship Fund Information

Scholarship Program

The next deadline is February 1, 2021.

The AYA seeks young people who wish to apply for a scholarship of up to $2,500 USD to assist them in obtaining a Private Pilot license or equivalent, for single engine airplane. The applicant must be 16 to 25 on the application deadline date, February 1. Candidates may be from any country and need not be a relative of an AYA member.

           If you know of a deserving young person who might be interested in applying for a flight training scholarship, please encourage him or her to download the printer-friendly application form. (The link is at the end of this article) The sky is waiting!

           The AYA Scholarship Fund is open to young people from any country, and the application process is not complicated. Candidates must submit their applications and supporting documents to the fund administrator by February 1 of each year. The scholarship recipients will be notified by approximately March 31 whether or not they have been selected.

Qualified applicants will be assessed by the scholarship committee on the following criteria:

• A strong interest in general aviation, as demonstrated by having logged flight hours and/or completed/started ground school.

• A proven self-starter, willing to earn his/her way.

• Ability to learn as demonstrated by most recent academic records or job training.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the American Yankee Association.

           Three (3) letters of recommendation from non-relatives are required. Though not mandatory, we encourage applicants to seek out a reference from an AYA member. Expenditures for training will be approved by the fund administrator and submitted to the secretary/treasurer for payment. The funds will not be paid out as a lump sum. Payments for training will be made in 2 or 3 installments, as the training occurs, to the flight school or private instructor. Progress reports will be required from the flight school/instructor prior to each advance.

           Candidates' applications are evaluated by AYA's scholarship committee, led by the fund administrator. The scholarship committee consists of AYA's past president and four AYA members.

           The AYA Scholarship Fund is used to promote youth in aviation.  Funding for the awards comes solely from contributions of AYA members and corporate friends of the AYA, not from dues or any other AYA funds. The members and corporate friends of the AYA have been generous supporters of this fund since 2002 and have donated in excess of $76,000 to make scholarships possible to over 40 young pilots. Members are encouraged to support the fund through a charitable contribution. If you wish to make a contribution it can be made directly using the form below, or to the Secretary/Treasurer, (530) 295-7158 or by, Email

Thank You.