The AMA Foundation offers several different scholarships each year, and this year is no different!
Nearly $40,000 is made available for the AMA Scholarship program, and RIGHT NOW qualified students are eligible to receive up to $15,000 in financial aid for the academic year beginning in the fall of 2025! The application portal can be found here.
The application window for AMA Scholarships is October 1, 2025 to February 2, 2026 at 11:59 EST.
The basic criteria for consideration includes:
- Up-to-date AMA membership for the past 36 months
- Graduating high school student in the Class of 2025/2026 OR a currently enrolled post-secondary student (college, university, and trade school students are all eligible!)
- Actively participate in your community outside of model aviation
- Strong academic record
However, specific scholarships are available based on factors such as competitive performance, pursuit of a technical degree or certification, and recommendations from AMA club officers and leader members. You can read more about the different scholarships that are available below:
You can apply for any of the following for which you are eligible:
- 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.
- 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.
If you are a graduating high school senior:
- 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.
- The Charles H. Grant 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.
If you are a currently enrolled as a post-secondary student:
- The Basil & Dorothy Cooper Memorial Scholarship ($500 value) is given annually to an individual applicant.
