Expert: David A. NewMyer - 11/3/2011

Question
i am a student at the university of dar es salaam pursuing a degree in electrical power engineering,i am a freshman,flying has been my life dream but aviation fees are very high my family can not afford,where can i get a sponsor or scholarship to help me to become a pilot?

Answer
Hi,

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

There are several possible sources of financing for flying, particularly if you pursue flying in a college or university environment.  They are:

1.  Direct subsidy from your home government (assuming that your nation needs pilots to be trained and that they have a program via your ministry of transport to support such scholarships);

2.  From the United Nations Development Programme or www.undp.org  They sometimes have scholarships and educational support for students from developing nations who need training and education in specialized fields like aviation.

3.  From the institutions themselves where you intend to go to school.  In the USA, for example, there are two or three universities with a large number of international aviation students, including:

A.  Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which is on the web at www.erau.edu

B.  University of North Dakota, which is at www.aviation.und.edu

C.  Western Michigan University, which is at www.wmich.edu/aviation

4.  The University Aviation Association has a publication entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP LISTING and it is available to purchase at www.uaa.aero  for $25 US plus shipping.  Credit cards are accepted.

5.  This website has some good aviation financial aid and scholarship information:

www.avscholars.com

I hope that this answer has been of assistance to you.

Best wishes,

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