Flight Training Scholarships

Now is a great time to enter the field of aviation as career opportunities expand across the industry, especially for pilots.   Hiller Aviation Museum offers the chance for highly motivated individuals between the ages of 16-18 to obtain a $15,000 scholarship to apply toward flight training costs culminating in obtaining the FAA Private Pilot Certificate.   The program is funded by Ray Foundation and other contributors.

Application Process

Online forms are due by March 28, 2025.  Provide all of the information required.

Also required in the application process:

• A brief 200-word essay on the subject of “Why I Wish to Pursue Flight Training” is also required.
• Signed Liability Waiver. Form can be signed within application, uploaded to application, or emailed.
• Unofficial Transcript from latest academic institution. (Can be signed within application, uploaded to application, or emailed.)

Awarding of Funds

Scholarship funds will be released only after the full completion of the listed Program Requirements.  Scholarship funds up to $15,000 will be made directly to the flight school where training is conducted, or other arrangements as required by circumstances, to cover flight training expenses, only.  Awardees must submit copies of tuition receipts and/or invoices from the flight school with which they are enrolled to the scholarship program administrator.   Expenses beyond $15,000 must be covered by the Awardee.

Program Requirements

Applicant must be between 16-18 years old as of May 9th, 2025. Applicant must live in the San Francisco Bay Area (limited to these 11 counties:  San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, San Benito). Flight training must be conducted at a Part 61 or Part 141 flight school in the San Francisco Bay Area. The award of a scholarship is considered preliminary until completion of all funding requirements.  Prior to the activation of scholarship funds, the applicant must perform the following important tasks:

• Participate in a 1-hour evening or weekend orientation session at Hiller Aviation Museum.
• Schedule and conduct a discovery flight with a local flight school, if not done already.
• Successfully complete and obtain an FAA 3rd Class Medical exam.
• Visit and select a flight school for training.
• Submit a Flight Training plan, including an approximate timeline for completion of goals such as solo, first cross country, etc. Flight training must be completed within 9 months after the awarding of the scholarship.
• Pass the FAA Airman’s Private Pilot Written Exam.

Scholarship recipients will be assigned a liaison for administering the scholarship.   Recipients must regularly communicate progress reports to their assigned liaison. Awardees will be guests at the Hiller Aviation Museum’s annual Benefit Gala, typically held in the fall.

Get Excited!

This is the real deal!   If you have already formulated a vision for yourself as a pilot, and are seriously committed to following the aviation path, this program can help make your dreams of flight come true.