Scholarships and Organizations

For Cadets

Visit the Cadet Scholarships and Awards page for a complete listing of cadet and aviation scholarships.

  • Cadet activity scholarships

  • Cadet Encampment Assistance Program (CEAP)

  • Cadet flight scholarships

  • Special awards for cadets

  • Scholarships for college and beyond

For Future Pilots

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) offers flight training scholarships.

  • The AOPA Foundation supports passionate aviators and will award various scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $14,000, as of 2022.

  • Minimum age and other pre-requisite requirements vary per scholarship.

Organizations

Air Force Association

The Air Force Association (AFA) is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation.

AFA holds national symposia, publishes Air Force Magazine, and disseminates information through outreach programs. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs.

AFA presents scholarships and grants to Air Force active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve members and their dependents. It also awards educator grants to promote science and math education at the elementary and secondary school level.

The Air Force Association offers Civil Air Patrol members a 2-year free AFA membership, as of 2022. See the full and current details about the relationship between AFA and CAP on the National website.

Blue Origin

Blue Origin is an American privately-funded aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company set up by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos with its headquarters in Kent, Washington. The company is developing technologies to enable private human access to space with the goal to dramatically lower costs and increase reliability. Internship and full-time employment opportunities available.

Questions about internships should be directed to the Outreach Team: internships@blueorigin.com.

Experimental Aircraft Association

CAP is partners with EAA, the Experimental Aircraft Association. When cadets complete their first CAP orientation flight, EAA considers them one of their “Young Eagles.” A cadet's status as a “Young Eagle” comes with zero obligations, but some great benefits, including:

  • FREE access to Sporty's Learn to Fly Course ($199 value).

  • FREE first flight lesson* ($130 value).

  • FREE admission to 300+ science and technology museums.

  • FREE Academy of Model Aeronautics Student Membership

  • FREE electronic copy of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

  • Access to valuable flight training awards, education scholarships, and Air Academy camperships.

* Upon completion of the first three volumes of the Sporty's Learn to Fly Course.

FIRST Washington

FIRST Washington offers four levels of programs to expose, engage and excite young people ages 6-18 in science, technology, engineering, and math skills (STEM). It hosts local event registration for FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition.

Show this to your Aerospace Education Officer and Deputy Commander for Cadets and ask if you can participate in a local FIRST Competition! In order to register for any local event, you must be registered nationally with FIRST.

National Association of Rocketry

The National Association of Rocketry (NAR) is a non-profit tax-exempt scientific organization dedicated to consumer safety, youth education, and the advancement of technology in the hobby of space-modeling (sport rocketry) in the United States. Founded in 1957, the NAR is the oldest and largest space-modeling organization in the world with over 5900 members and 165 affiliated clubs across the U.S.

The NAR has a number of scholarships available annually to students and grants for educators. Student applicants must be a NAR member in good standing between the ages of 17 and 22, who is planning to attend, or is currently enrolled in a college, university or technical school.

Team America Rocketry Challenge

Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the world's largest student rocket contest. Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) TARC is an opportunity for hands-on learning as students design, build and fly model rockets in a national contest while competing for more than $100,000 in cash and scholarships.

The competition is open to teams of 3-10 students grades 7-12. Show this to your Aerospace Education Officer and Deputy Commander for Cadets and ask if you can build a team in your unit!

Women in Aviation International

Women in Aviation International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests. Members are private, commercial, and military pilots, aerospace engineers, air traffic controllers, aviation maintenance technicians, educators and more.