Scholarship Tips

So, you want to fly? Great. Be prepared for one of the most exciting - and expensive - endeavors out there. To help ease some of the expense, there a dozens and dozens of scholarships available to help fund the gamut of aviator hopefuls, from the student pilot to the pro looking for a new type rating. Once you’ve identified a flight scholarship, it helps to have an idea of what will move your application to the top of the list of candidates:

Make Sure You’re Really Qualified: This piece of advice might seem obvious enough, but you’d be surprised. Many intelligent aviators assume that they can apply for a scholarship for which they do not meet basic qualifications. Perhaps you’ve got your eye on a multi-engine scholarship that asks applicants to have a minimum of an instrument rating; the problem is, you just got your private certificate. On the flip side, maybe you’re an ATP looking for some extra cash and think your pro career entitles you to money meant for beginners.

Dot the i’s, Cross the t’s: This comes down to following basic instructions. Again, those items that seem obvious enough are often the very things that get overlooked. If an organization requests a picture, include it. If you need to show photocopies of your logbook (or a record of the electronic logbook) then don’t leave it out. Make sure your reference letters are formatted correctly. Make sure that you deliver the application exactly as requested (by mail, electronically, etc). There’s no faster way to get your application tossed out than to leave something out. The same goes for making sure you apply as instructed.

The Essay Matters: Once you’ve met basic qualifications and made sure that you’ve gathered all pertinent information requested, what will separate you from other applicants? The essay, of course, and your reference letters. You don’t need to be Hemingway to get your essay noticed. Be honest, and make sure to highlight those items that the funding organization requests, if applicable. Make sure you have at least one other person read your essay, someone you trust to provide realistic advice to help you improve. Read your writing out loud to help catch mistakes. Take your time to edit, if necessary and, of course, double-check your grammar. If your reference letter(s) is full of errors, politely ask the writer to send another.

Skip the Extras: Some ambitious applicants believe that if they include extra information that they will have a better chance of getting the scholarship. Nope. In fact, the reviewers likely have many applicants to review, and they want to make sure you’ve followed directions (i.e., not included more or less than requested). As stated in #3 above, showcase your extras in the essay and references and not in creating more work for reviewers. If no one requests a cover letter, do not include one. Same goes for extra images, reports, letters, etc.

When in Doubt, Ask: Perhaps part of the application isn’t clear; in that case, it’s well within your rights to contact the organization or reviewer and ask for clarification. Don’t hesitate – after all, you want to get it right! However, don’t get fooled into thinking that contacting the funding agency will somehow get your application noticed. Let your work, writing, and organization in the application speak for itself.

Check out V1 Management’s newest scholarship for New England residents: The Patriot Scholarship