Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Aerospace Center for Excellence Scholarship (awarded through Polk Education Foundation)

Overview:

The Aerospace Center for Excellence Scholarship is awarded to one student per school year who plans to pursue an aerospace or aviation-related major at an accredited college or university. The recipient should demonstrate leadership, scholarship, and service. The award amount is $1000.

Eligibility Requirements:
GPA: 3.00
SAT/ACT: NA
Number awarded: 1 (per school year)
Community service hours required: 100
Scholarship amount: $1000
(based on verification of GPA)

Application Submission Requirements:

• PEF application
• Essay: In 800 -1000 words, discuss your background in aviation, why you are applying for the scholarship, and one of the following: two challenges in the aviation and aerospace industry and how they might be addressed; OR, a recent (last 5 years) innovation in aviation and its impact on the industry; OR a recent (last 5 years) innovation in aviation safety and discuss its impact on the industry.

Apply through the Polk Education Foundation

Application window: January 1-February 15

Previous Winners:

Overview:

The Top Gun Citation of Merit ($5000) is presented to the graduating Senior student who has consistently demonstrated outstanding scholastic accomplishment, exemplary character and motivating leadership during their tenure at Central Florida Aerospace Academy. The Top Gun honoree has been an example to others in not only academic excellence but in service to their community. The Top Gun’s standout performance and work ethic in all areas define them as an influential moving force in the future of the aerospace industry by supporting the Aerospace Center for Excellence’s mission: Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the next generation of aerospace professionals.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA unweighted
• 100 volunteer hours serving aviation-related activities
• Demonstration of sustained extra-curricular activities, e.g. sports, student clubs, community organizations

Application Submission Requirements:

• Application form
• An essay describing their involvement with the ACE programs during their tenure at CFAA and how having the Top Gun Scholarship would help them in their continuing educational goals. The essay should be no longer than one page, 12-point font, 500 words, and single-spaced.

Application window: April 1-15

Completed applications must be submitted to scholarships@flysnf.org with “TOP GUN” and the applicant’s name in the subject line. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Previous Winners

• 2024 Steven Tellman
• 2023 Jacqueline Patton
• 2022 Parker Anthony
• 2021 Aron Yichye
• 2020 Sean Stoltz
• 2019 Andrew Campbell
• 2018 Luke Liptak
• 2017 Jensen Houck
• 2016 Greg Holden
• 2015 Mike Brown
• 2014 Victoria Simmons

Any CFAA Seniors interested in applying for The Top Gun Scholarship should prepare the following two (2) papers:

• An essay describing their involvement with the ACE programs during their tenure at CFAA and how having the Top Gun Scholarship would help them in their continuing educational goals. The essay should be no longer than one page, 12 point font, Times New Roman font and include their name.
• A second paper (not to exceed one page in length) including:
  1. Unweighted GPA
  2. ACT or SAT Scores
  3. Verified volunteer hours at ACE or SUN ‘n FUN (not including the fly-in)
  4. Pilot status (applied for the JCR scholarship, accepted, soloed, or private pilot)
  5. Any additional extra-curricular activities

The completed papers will need to be submitted electronically to scholarships@flysnf.org with the word TOP GUN and the applicant’s name in the subject line. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Overview:

The Wingman Scholarship ($2500) is presented to the graduating Senior student who has consistently demonstrated outstanding scholastic accomplishment, exemplary character and motivating leadership during their tenure at Central Florida Aerospace Academy. The Wingman honoree has been an example to others in not only academic excellence but in service to their community. The Wingman has demonstrated support for the Aerospace Center for Excellence’s mission of “Engage, Educate and Accelerate the next generation of aerospace professionals.”

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA unweighted
• 100 volunteer hours serving aviation-related activities
• Demonstration of sustained extra-curricular activities, e.g. sports, student clubs, community organizations

Application Submission Requirements:

• Application form
• An essay describing their involvement with the ACE programs during their tenure at CFAA and how having the Wingman Scholarship would help them in their continuing educational goals. The essay should be no longer than one page, 12-point font, 500 words, and single-spaced.

Application window: April 1-15

Completed applications must be submitted to scholarships@flysnf.org with “WINGMAN” and the applicant’s name in the subject line. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

• 2024 Isabella Duran
• 2023 Colby Lee and Andrew Rodriguez
• 2022 John McCaskill
• 2021 Juksana Mai Ngam and Landen Kincart
• 2020 Katie Esker

The John “Lites” Leenhouts Scholarship is presented to a student whose achievements and ambitions reflect the same values and interests that are so meaningful to “Lites” both professionally and recreationally.

The scholarship is open to students seeking a degree in Aviation or Engineering subject areas, preferably in management or another administrative discipline or pursuing advanced ratings toward a piloting career. Students must have successfully completed at least two semesters at an accredited post-secondary institution and be actively engaged in a program supported by the Aerospace Center for Excellence.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA unweighted
• 100 volunteer hours serving aviation-related activities
• Demonstration of sustained extra-curricular activities, e.g. sports, student clubs, community organizations

Application Submission Requirements:

• Application form
• An essay describing their career goals and how the goals reflect Lites’ professional accomplishments. The essay should be no longer than one page, 12-point font, 500 words, and single-spaced.
• Current resume that includes aviation-related work experience, volunteerism, and/or earned certifications
• Current academic transcripts
• Logbook reflecting activity within last 60 days of application submission
• Two letters of recommendation from school administrator or teacher, mentor, or professional who can speak to the applicant’s merits

Application window: April 1-15

Completed applications must be submitted to scholarships@flysnf.org with “LITES SCHOLARSHIP” and the applicant’s name in the subject line. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The scholarships guide includes over 200 Aerospace scholarships with a combined value of over $120 Million. Entries are updated regularly to assure accuracy. Welcome to your resource for Aviation and Aerospace Scholarships.  The information concerning each scholarship is presented in a complete and simplified format. Our scholarship team constantly updates and verifies each listing, giving you the most up-to-date information.

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