Expert: David A. NewMyer - 4/13/2009

Question
Sir,i am a young dedicated man aged 19.my name is Derrick,a citizen of Botswana,.Sir i am kndly asking u how i can aquire a sponsership/grant to a flying school..i just completed my cambridge...i dont mind working part time and doing community services or voluntering if i realy have to,.and also if it is vital,.i dnt mind signing a contract of paying back by workn for a specified period of time after completing my trainning..becoming a pilot has been a pilot ever since my childhood,and i stil want to persue my dream career now...thank  u sir..i sincerely hpe to hear from you!..

Answer
Hi, Derrick:

Thank you for your question, I will try to assist!

There are some key sources of information on scholarships for aviation schools and colleges.  They are:

1.  The website of the University Aviation Association, which is www.uaa.aero   This website has a "scholarship" link on the left hand side of the main page.  When you click on that link, it will take you to an aviation scholarship listing (you can not download it but you can view it or you can purchase it from UAA).  Also on this link are current aviation scholarships with links to the applications for these scholarships.

2.  Another source of financial aid and scholarship information would be aviation colleges and universities.  The University Aviation Association website (see above) has available for order a very good listing of aviation colleges and schools entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE.  Also, some of the schools and colleges that offer aviation in the USA are Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach, FL and Prescott, AZ); Western Michigan University; Arizona State University; Purdue University; Parks College of St. Louis University; and, many others.  Some of these schools have aviation scholarships of their own to award.  Simply Google them and then email their financial aid departments to learn more.

3.  Check this website for more aviation financial aid and scholarship information:  www.avscholars.com

4.  Check with your own national government there in Botswana...sometimes there are scholarships and exchange programs funded by your own nation that can help you.

5.  Finally, check on the resources that might be available from the United Nations Development Programme at www.undp.org  The UNDP sometimes has scholarship money available for training for people in developing nations.

Again, thank you for your question.  Best wishes to you.

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
www.aviation.siu.edu