Get to Know the Women in Aviation Scholarship Program

By tamara

Women in Aviation, International (WAI) began in 1990 to encourage women to seek careers in aviation. According to the organization’s website, roughly six percent of all active pilots in the U.S. are women, and less than five percent of all non-pilot aviation jobs are held by women. There are currently more than 11,000 WAI members whose career paths include air traffic controllers, educators, journalists, flight attendants, air show performers, students, business owners, and more.  Although the organization’s primary focus is to advance women in aviation-related careers, men may also be invited to join the organization.

Each year, WAI offers many scholarship opportunities. Some are restricted to female members only, but many are open to all members. The programs include funding for certification, flight school, and aviation-related degree programs. Members may apply to a total of two scholarships per year but may only win one award. In general, the following items are required to apply for any of the available WAI scholarships:

• Become a WAI member prior to November 1.
• Official WAI application form
• Two letters of recommendation
• One 500-word essay
• Professional résumé
• Copies of all aviation and medical certifications
• Last three pages of pilot logbook (if applicable)

This year, WAI has 91 scholarships available. Although the majority of the awards are related to flight training and certification, there are also scholarships for dispatchers, engineers, maintenance and management programs, as well as several general scholarships. Here are just a few that are currently open.

Diane Endres Ballweg Scholarship

This $500 scholarship is open to female members over the age of 30. Applicants must have a desire to learn how to fly or be pursuing an advanced certificate.

Anne Bridge Baddour Aviation Scholarship

Female members with a minimum of 150 hours of flying time may apply for this $2,000 scholarship. Applicants must be pursuing a career as a professional pilot.

Delta Air Lines Engineering Scholarship

Any WAI member who is currently enrolled (college junior or senior) in an aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering program may apply for this $5,000 scholarship. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Airbus Leadership Grant

College sophomores and older may apply for this undergraduate award. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be currently enrolled in an aviation-related program. One $5,000 scholarship is available.

Apply Soon!

Scholarship applications are now being accepted and must be submitted no later than November 17, 2014. Applicants are encouraged to read WAI’s informational PDF, ‘How to Win a Scholarship’ before completing their scholarship application packets and submitting them for consideration. All scholarships, unless otherwise noted, are awarded at the organization’s annual conference in Dallas, Texas in March 2015. Attendance, however, is not mandatory to win.