Congratulations to the 2025 Aviation Scholarship winners!

2025 Aviation Scholarships Available

Montana is fortunate to have many generous individuals and organizations who support aviation by offering scholarships to qualified persons. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Aeronautics Division helps to match these scholarships to qualified applicants, and encourages individuals interested in aeronautics to apply for scholarships. The scholarships are offered to help defray costs of education (e.g., flight instruction, aircraft airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic school, etc.). Recipients will be announced in January 2025 and awards will be presented at noon on February 28, 2025, at the Montana Aviation Conference in Missoula. Winners will be provided a complimentary aviation conference registration and a free Friday lunch (sponsored by the Aviation Organizations of Montana) for themselves and up to two guests.

How To Apply

Email completed applications to MDTADXYZMTABCGOV by November 15, 2024.

Attention: Adobe Acrobat Reader can be used to view and fill out the Application PDF form listed below. Visit Adobe's website.

Download the application. Right click on "Download the application" and choose "Save link as". Go to the folder location to rename the file as shown below, fill out the form, and save the changes.

Essential Reminders:

  • Attach multiple applications in a single email.
  • We cannot accept or open Google doc files. Please attach emailed application as a single pdf file. The file must be named with the scholarship name followed by your first and last name.
    Example:“OrganizationsOfMontanaFlightTrainingScholarship_JohnSmith”
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered
  • Scholarship applications must be submitted by email on or before 11:59 p.m. MST, November 15, 2024.
  • Winners will be announced and notified in January and awards will be presented at the Montana Aviation Conference.
  • The Montana Ninety-Nines scholarships are reimbursement awards only. You must provide them your eligible receipts for up to the dollar amount you were awarded within 12 months. *
  • The same application can be used or multiple scholarships, but candidates must submit a separate application for each individual scholarship name. Applicants applying for multiple scholarships should limit their submissions to a single email containing multiple PDF attachments. Tailoring each application to the specific scholarship you are applying for is highly recommended.
Aviation Organizations of Montana Flight Training Scholarship
Aviation Organizations of Montana (AOM) has established two $2,000 scholarships to financially assist a student pilot and an aircraft mechanic student in obtaining their FAA certificates.
Briar Creek Scholarship
This $4,000 scholarship is open to an active student or pilot who has considerable interest in aviation and is seeking advanced flight training or pursuing a profession in aviation. Applicant must be a Montana resident.
Edwards Jet Center Scholarship
Edwards Jet Center, a full-service Fixed Based Operator, Part 135 Charter Operator, and Part 145 Repair Station based at Logan International Airport in Billings, is offering a $2,000 scholarship to help defray the costs of flight instruction or A&P mechanic school.
Mike and Julie Meloche Flight Training Scholarship
Three $2,000 scholarships are open to an active student pilot, already rated pilot, or aircraft mechanic student (1 available for mechanic training) who has considerable interest in aviation and is seeking advanced flight training or pursuing a profession in aviation. Applicants must be a Montana resident. Pilot applicants must have already solo’d and preference will be given to applicants enrolled in a collegiate professional pilot program. Aircraft mechanic applicants must be enrolled in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Helena College.
Bob and Kathy Dewante Flight Training Scholarship
The recipient of this $3,000 scholarship is chosen for outstanding interest in aviation and demonstrated academic achievement. The recipient must be a Montana resident and previously soloed. Preference is given to younger applicants who are new pilots or pursuing a profession in aviation.
Montana Antique Aircraft Association Scholarship
The Montana Antique Aircraft Association is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, use, and knowledge of antique airplanes. MAAA’s motto is: "Keep the antiques flying." Their $4,000 scholarship is to help a Montana resident defray the cost of flight training and must be used at either Ridgeline Aviation location. Applicants must have at least passed their FAA Private Pilot written exam to be eligible to apply for this scholarship. (Funds will be paid directly to Ridgeline Aviation).
Montana Ninety-Nines Scholarship
The Montana Ninety-Nines offer this scholarship to qualified female candidates interested in and passionate about aviation. The dollar amount of this scholarship is dependent on candidate goals, not to exceed $5,000, and must be used within 12 months of date awarded. Candidates must be residents of Montana to be considered for this scholarship.
Montana Pilots Association Mike Ferguson Flight Training Scholarship
(formerly Air Safety and Education Foundation Flight Training Scholarship)
-This $4,000 scholarship is open to an active pilot who has considerable interest in aviation and is seeking advanced flight training or pursuing a profession in aviation. Applicant must be a Montana resident.
Montana Pilots Association (MPA) Junior Pilot Scholarship
-The recipient of this $4,000 scholarship is chosen for outstanding interest in aviation, citizenship in their community, and demonstrated academic achievement. The recipient must be a Montana resident and previously soloed. Preference is given to younger applicants who are new pilots or pursuing a profession in aviation.
Montana Pilots Association Central Montana Flight Training Scholarship
-This $4,000 scholarship is open to an active pilot who has considerable interest in aviation and is seeking advanced flight training or pursuing a profession in aviation. Applicant must be a Montana resident.
Montana Pilots Association Aviation Maintenance Scholarship
-This $2,000 scholarship is to be used for aviation mechanic training. Two available
Montana Pilots Association Arlin Wass Memorial Maintenance Technician Scholarship
-This $2,000 scholarship is to be used for aviation mechanic training. Applicants must be a Montana resident. Applicants must outline a financial plan to achieve their aircraft mechanic certifications and must demonstrate how their achievements of becoming a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic will impact aviation in Montana.
Theresa (Nistler) Colley Flight Scholarship
The Theresa (Nistler) Colley Flight Scholarship is sponsored by the Nistler family. This scholarship is to honor the memory of Theresa, who loved flying and was working toward her private pilot certificate. This $2,000 Aviation Scholarship will be awarded to a student pilot actively working toward a private pilot certificate.
Stuart Smishek Memorial Scholarship
This $2,500 scholarship is to honor the memory of Stu, who was a highly regarded Montana pilot from Billings. A $2,500 flight training scholarship is available to a Montana resident who holds at least a private pilot certificate and a first or second-class medical, and who is looking to further advance themselves toward a pilot career in aviation with additional flight training. Multiple scholarships may be available.
Brett Thoft Memorial Foundation Scholarship
Two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded in memory of pilot Brett Thoft. The awards will be given to those who best demonstrate financial need, and a financial plan of action, and a detailed outline of their aviation goals.
38 North Aviation, LLC Aviation Training Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is available to help defray the costs of flight instruction in pursuit of a pilot rating, certificate, endorsement or A&P mechanic school. Applicants must be Montana Residents.
Ridgeline Aviation Flight Training Scholarship
This $2,000 scholarship is available to help defray the costs of flight instruction in pursuit of a pilot rating, certificate, endorsement. Preference will be given to applicants who choose to peruse their flight training at either Ridgeline Aviation location. Applicants must be a Montana resident.
Aerotronics Maintenance Training/Avionics Technician Scholarship
This $2,000 scholarship is available to help defray the costs of aircraft mechanic certifications. Preference will be given to applicants interested in pursuing a career as an avionics technician. Applicants must be a Montana resident.

* Additional opportunities might become available. Please check our website for the most up-to-date list of scholarships.