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

Deadline: December 12, 2024

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.

2025 Applications are due no later than Friday March 7th, 2025 by 5pm ET.

JSfirm.com will make an annual charitable gift of $1,500 to the Aerospace Center for Excellence a 501 (c) (3) to establish an annual scholarship. The scholarship will be designated for students attending the Central Florida Aerospace Academy, a Polk County, FL public school. The scholarship is designated for the selected student to continue their education in the field of aerospace mechanics. The Donor has pledged $1,500, annually. The scholarship will be awarded upon the pledge payment.

JSfirm.com leadership will review applications and select the award recipient. This scholarship is a one-time award to the selected student and will be established criteria listed below:
● Applicants must be enrolled in the airframe and general track at the Central Florida Aerospace Academy.
● Applicants must have accumulated 100 hours of community service during high school. Only 50 hours of time volunteered during the SUN ‘n FUN International Expo and Fly-In may be used to meet this criteria.

Additional consideration may be given to volunteer time during Aerospace Center for Excellence related programs.

● Applicants must plan to attend Traviss Career Center, a Polk County School, with the intention of carrying on with their Power Plant Certification.
● Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
● Two (2) letters of reference required from non-family members.
● Additional essay required “How have personal, school and community activities and achievements helped to prepare you for the future and why you should be awarded this scholarship.” This essay should be no longer than 300 words, 12 point Times New Roman font.

Applicants should submit all documentation in ONE file to scholarships@flysnf.org.

The READY. SET. SOAR Scholarship recognizes an exemplary female graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance, exceptional leadership skills, sustained community service, and a pursuit toward a career in the aviation industry, including but not limited to aviation management and administration, aeronautical engineering, aviation maintenance, and professional pilot.

The award amount is $7500 to be used for tuition, fees, training, and/or course materials at an educational institution of the recipient’s choice. The READY. SET. SOAR Scholarship is generously funded by Lisa Holland, President of Sheltair Aviation Services.

For more information about the application submission, click here.

The women ACEs Scholarship Application affords female, graduating seniors the opportunity to receive one of the two scholarships: Exploration Scholarship and Donna-Lee Nattrass Scholarship.

The Exploration Scholarship recognizes a young woman pursuing a career in aviation. The scholarship recipient would exemplify service and scholarship by demonstrating excellence in her academic pursuits and commitment to community and volunteerism. Applicants must exhibit a strong interest in “Exploration” of the aviation industry. The scholarship amount is $500 and is generously sponsored by Dreiling Aviation Services (DAS). Located in Salina, Kansas, DAS offers aviation business consulting services and operational services for small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems. The scholarship funds will be applied to activities and experiences that support aviation exploration.   

The Donna-Lee Nattrass Scholarship recognizes a young woman pursuing a career in aviation. The scholarship recipient would exemplify service and scholarship by demonstrating excellence in her academic pursuits and commitment to community and volunteerism. The scholarship is named in honor of Donna-Lee Nattrass whose career in the aviation industry spans more than fifty years. Nattrass began her career at Piper Aircraft serving in a number of roles including working on the final assembly line; her experience and passion for aviation took her to work on warbird restoration and aircraft re-location; after mastering the planning and logistics of aircraft re-location, she eventually became the President of Worldwide Aircraft Recovery. Additionally, Nattrass has volunteered for SUN ‘n FUN since the first fly-in. The scholarship amount is $2,000 and is generously sponsored by the family of Donna-Lee Nattrass. The scholarship funds will be applied to tuition and fees of the aviation maintenance training institution the recipient selects.

For more information about application submission, click here.

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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