The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has helped graduating seniors achieve their dreams since 1970, with individual scholarships starting at $500 each year. This year, $49,500 was awarded to twelve students. Student scholarships are awarded each year thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation donors across the country. AMA has awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships since founding the scholarship program.
Read more about the different scholarships available through the AMA Scholarship Program below:
Awards available to all eligible applicants:
- The Cliff & Nancy Telford Scholarship award ($5,000 value) is given annually to the individual with the best competitive record, based on participation in activities within the AMA and FAI classifications. All students both graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled post-secondary students are invited to apply.
- The Planesmen Aerospace Engineering Degree Scholarship ($5,000) is given to an applicant graduating from high school in the year in which the award is granted or currently enrolled at an accredited university attending a school of engineering.
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The Planesmen Aircraft Technician/Maintenance Program (ATP/AMP) Scholarship ($2,500) is granted to an applicant attending an accredited ATP/AMP school. The applicant must be seeking education in ATP/AMP, Airframe and Powerplant, or Avionics Technician.
Awards available to all eligible graduating
high school senior applicants:
- The Ryan M. Sherrow Memorial Scholarship ($500 value) is based on a graduating high school senior’s overall involvement in the hobby of model aviation.
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The Charles H. Grant (CHG) Scholarship ($500-8000 value) is awarded based on several important criteria. All facets of an applicant's background are taken into consideration. A well-rounded applicant may be more qualified than one who excels only in one aspect. This scholarship is awarded to multiple applicants annually.
Awards available to all post-secondary applicants:
- The Basil & Dorothy Cooper Memorial Scholarship ($500 value) is given annually to an individual applicant.
Award designations are set by the AMA Scholarship Committee, which is made up of model aviation pilots and enthusiasts. The committee evaluates each application and ranks it based on GPA, community involvement, model flying experience, and model flying competition participation. AMA and its Foundation want to thank each family and organization that has contributed to the memorial scholarships, as well as the hundreds of other donors to the scholarship program. Without their generous contributions, these gifts would not be possible.
AMA would like to congratulate the following students who have been selected this year to receive the Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship and other scholarships:
Seth Kirzeder [District 6]
$5,400 CHG Award
$2,500 Planesmen ATP Award
Gabriel Alamov [District 3]
$4,680 CHG Award
$5,000 Telford
Eric Bittman [District 7]
$4,140 CHG Award
Oscar Cytrynowicz [District 9]
$3,780 CHG Award
$500 Sherrow
Stephen Griggs [District 5]
$3,240 CHG Award
Drew Powell [District 5]
$3,240 CHG Award
$5,000 Planesman Engineering Award
Frank Lucci [District 8]
$2,700 CHG Award
Jack Satterfield [District 6]
$2,520 CHG Award
Dugan Doyle [District 9]
$2,340 CHG Award
Hannah Hartigan [District 3]
$2,160 CHG Award
Leah Shutic [District 3]
$1,800 CHG Award
Austin Ray [District 8]
$500 Cooper
There can be no greater contribution to the future of model aviation than the commitment Scholarship Committee volunteers give to the AMA by helping administer this program. Thanks to members Alex Pettifer, Ed Deming, Joe Allen, Red Jensen, Emily Rice, Ashton Lewis, Gwen Mathis, and Terri Stafford, for their service and dedication to the selection process. As with every program in an organization, it takes a team of people, working together, dedicated to a common purpose and who are passionate about excellence to accomplish significant goals. We are grateful for the commitment of all.
Special thanks to Gwen Mathis, who has managed the application process and built an entirely new website this season. Her efforts to streamline the process for both the applicants and the judges have been incredibly helpful, resulting in the largest number of applicants in recent memory.
