Scholarships

Each year, CABAA provides more than $90,000 in funding and support to encourage pursuit of aviation studies. We offer financial scholarships for graduating high school students attending an aviation college and undergraduate college students. For graduating college seniors we offer various professional training awards to help applicants get their “foot in the door.”

The 2024 scholarship application window is now closed. Congratulations to the 2024 recipients who will be recognized on August 12, 2024.

CABAA offers free memberships to students. If you are not already a member, apply here!

CABAA 2024 Scholarship Recipients

  • Derek Canen - CABAA General Financial Scholarship

  • Lillian Fifer - CABAA General Financial Scholarship

  • Cole Greaves - CABAA General Financial Scholarship

  • Gabrielle Green - CABAA General Financial Scholarship

  • Michael Marrella - CABAA General Financial Scholarship

  • Peter Machacek - CABAA Maintenance Committee Financial Scholarship

  • Lauren Rosinsky - CABAA Professional Development Award

  • Gavin Madary - Ken Johnson Memorial Scholarship

  • David Barajas - Professional Pilot Training Award (FlightSafety)

  • Brady Neuhalfen - Professional Pilot Training Award (CAE)

  • Ethan Littel - Professional Maintenance Training Award (FlightSafety)

  • John Taylor - Professional Maintenance Training Award (CAE)

  • Bill Nsangou - Principles of Troubleshooting Award (FlightSafety)

  • Otisha Carter - Aircare FACTS Training

  • Marcia Dansby - Aircare FACTS Training

  • Dani Torres - Aircare FACTS Training

  • Helen Arencibia - Lewis University Financial Scholarship

  • Bianca Fajczyk - Lewis University Financial Scholarship

  • Elle Komar-Landl - Lewis University Financial Scholarship

  • Gil Morales - Lewis University Financial Scholarship

CABAA 2023 Scholarship Recipients

  • Chloe Artus - CABAA General Financial Scholarship

  • Troy Ettenson - CABAA General Financial Scholarship

  • Cole Greaves - CABAA General Financial Scholarship

  • Lillian Fifer - Finish Line Award

  • Eddina Bills - CABAA Maintenance Committee Financial Scholarship

  • Jennifer Chance - CABAA Professional Development Award

  • Ryder Schuch - Ken Johnson Memorial Scholarship

  • Valarie Meyer - Professional Pilot Training Award (FlightSafety)

  • Dylan Mardoian - Professional Pilot Training Award (CAE)

  • Kyle Stengel - Professional Maintenance Training Award (FlightSafety)

  • James Smith - Professional Maintenance Training Award (CAE)

  • Kevin Bisciglia - Principles of Troubleshooting Award (FlightSafety)

Scholarship Descriptions and Requirements

Ken Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Ken Johnson (1958-2013) was a husband, father, son, brother, air traffic controller, adjunct professor, car and motorcycle enthusiast, and a proud CABAA member. Ken started his aviation career at Chicago Center as an air traffic controller. He loved aviation and protecting lives with his expert training. Throughout his career, Ken gave back to the aviation community by teaching ATC at Lewis University and mentoring youth through CABAA. His love of aviation was passed down to his daughter, an A&P mechanic who also gives back by promoting aviation maintenance as a viable career for young women. Ken’s legacy is not only his five children, but his many students who are now professional air traffic controllers, guarding the skies. On behalf of the Johnson family, we encourage you to apply for his memorial scholarship and, in his honor, always remember to give back to your aviation community. Good luck! May the skies be calm and the birds in line.

One $8,000 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior graduating in spring of 2024 and entering college in fall of 2024 seeking a degree in aviation. Scholarship funds will be made out to both the student and their university, to be used to pay tuition or fees for aviation specific programs.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Major in an aviation-related field and have accepted or will accept enrollment at a four-year university or a two-year college

  • Demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field

  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

  • Include an unofficial high school transcript copy

  • Submit a typed essay, double-spaced, maximum of 1,000 words answering:

    ~ What is your outlook on an aviation career?

    ~ How would this scholarship help you get your start in a career in business aviation?

    ~ How will this scholarship help you achieve your goals?

  • Include at least three letters of recommendation (other than relatives or students)

    ~ At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of your professors is preferred.

CABAA Maintenance Committee Financial Scholarship

One $8,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student seeking a degree in aviation maintenance. This scholarship is open to both high school seniors graduating in 2024 and current college-level students. Scholarship funds will be made out to both the student and their university, to be used to pay tuition or fees for aviation specific programs.

Preference is given to Chicagoland area residents/students.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Major in an aviation-related field like aerospace engineering, aircraft maintenance, avionics/aircraft electronics, etc.

  • Demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field

  • Have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale

  • Include an unofficial high school transcript copy

  • Submit a typed essay, double-spaced, maximum of 1,000 words answering:

    ~ What is your outlook on an aviation career?

    ~ How would this scholarship help you get your start in a career in business aviation?

    ~ How will this scholarship help you achieve your goals?

  • Include at least three letters of recommendation (other than relatives or students)

    ~ At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of your professors is preferred.

CABAA Financial Scholarship

Multiple $8,000 scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors graduating in 2024 or current college-level students seeking a degree in aviation. Scholarship funds will be made out to both the student and their university, to be used to pay tuition or fees for aviation specific programs.

Preference is given to Chicagoland area residents/students.

Requirements

  • Major in an aviation-related field like aerospace engineering, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, aviation administration/management, aviation flight, etc.

  • Demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field

  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

  • Include an unofficial high school or college transcript copy

  • Submit a typed essay, double-spaced, maximum of 1,000 words answering:

    ~ What is your outlook on an aviation career?

    ~ How would this scholarship help you get your start in a career in business aviation?

    ~ How will this scholarship help you achieve your goals?

  • Include at least three letters of recommendation (other than relatives or students)

    ~ At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of your professors is preferred.

CABAA General Financial Award

One $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to aid a person wishing to begin or continue a professional career path not tied to a university. Applicants should be actively pursuing employment or currently employed in business aviation. This award will be issued to the winner as well as the institution where the training is being conducted. This scholarship is intended for any future aviation professionals including, but not limited to pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians, dispatchers, etc.

Preference is given to Chicagoland area residents/students.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field

  • Submit a typed essay, double-spaced, maximum of 1,000 words answering:

    ~ Why have you chosen business aviation as a career path?

    ~ How will you use the award to advance your career?

  • Include at least three letters of recommendation (other than relatives or students)

    ~ At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of your professors is preferred.

CABAA Professional Development Award

One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to aid a person opting for a professional career path not tied to a university or a current professional looking to diversify their skills. Funds can be used for professional development or continuing education such as: training courses, certifications, conferences, etc. (as approved by CABAA for fund disbursement). This award is intended for advanced development and is not geared toward primary flight training, as other CABAA awards specifically address those needs. Applicants should be actively pursuing employment or currently employed in business aviation.

Preference is given to Chicagoland area residents/students.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field

  • Submit a typed essay, double-spaced, maximum of 1,000 words answering:

    ~ Why have you chosen business aviation as a career path?

    ~ How will you use the award to advance your career?

  • Include at least three letters of recommendation (other than relatives or students)

    ~ At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of your professors is preferred.

Aircare FACTS Training Award

A training scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who wishes to begin or enhance their career as a flight attendant. This award may be used toward the Aircare FACTS Initial Training (3 day) or Aircare FACTS Recurrent Training (2 day) and can be used at any available FACTS Training location.

Preference is given to Chicagoland area residents/students.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field

  • Submit a typed essay, double-spaced, maximum of 1,000 words answering:

    ~ Why have you chosen business aviation as a career path?

    ~ How will you use this award to advance your career?

  • Include at least three letters of recommendation (other than relatives or students)

    ~ At least one recommendation letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of your professors is preferred.

FlightSafety and CAE Maintenance Professional Training Award

CABAA, together with independent vendors FlightSafety and CAE, will award two applicants with advanced training toward a career in business aviation. One recipient will receive the FlightSafety Maintenance Initial course (Citation or similar). One recipient will receive the CAE Maintenance Initial Course (Citation or similar). This course is designed to meet the training requirements of aviation maintenance professionals maintaining each respective aircraft.

CABAA will provide partial reimbursement to assist with travel expenses. This will not cover all associated travel costs, and recipients will be responsible for remaining expenses. Preference given to Chicagoland area residents/students.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must hold or will hold a current A&P license

  • Demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field

  • Submit a typed essay, double-spaced, maximum of 1,000 words answering:

    ~ Have you graduated from a college or university offering an aviation program?

    ~ Are you currently employed within business aviation or do you have a desire to begin a career in business aviation?

    ~ What does the phrase “Business Aviation” mean to you?

    ~ How have you prepared yourself for a career in business aviation thus far, and how will you use this training award to advance your career?

  • Include at least three letters of recommendation (Other than relatives or students)

    ~ At least one letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of your professors is preferred.

  • Able to participate in a face-to-face interview with the selection committee in June/July 2024

FlightSafety and CAE Professional Pilot Training Award

CABAA, together with independent vendors FlightSafety and CAE, will award two applicants with advanced training toward a career in business aviation. This year, both awards will be a Citation series SIC course. The retail value of each award is approximately $22,200 per scholarship. This award cannot be upgraded to a PIC type rating.

CABAA will provide partial reimbursement to assist with travel expenses. This will not cover all associated travel costs, and recipients will be responsible for remaining expenses.

Preference given to Chicagoland area residents/students.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Hold or will hold a current Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating and 250+ hours total time

  • No history of aircraft accidents

  • Demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field

  • Submit a typed essay, double-spaced, maximum of 1,000 words answering:

    ~ Have you graduated from a college or university offering an aviation program?

    ~ Are you currently employed within business aviation or do you have a desire to begin a career in business aviation?

    ~ What does the phrase “Business Aviation” mean to you?

    ~ How have you prepared yourself for a career in business aviation thus far, and how will you use this training award to advance your career?

  • Include at least three letters of recommendation (other than relatives or students)

    ~ At least one letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of your professors is preferred.

  • Able to participate in a face-to-face interview with the selection committee in June/July 2024

FlightSafety Principles of Troubleshooting Training Award

CABAA, together with FlightSafety, will award an applicant with a FlightSafety Principles of Troubleshooting course. This course addresses the unique needs of individuals serving or planning to serve as corporate aircraft maintenance technicians. The course is designed to provide individuals with practical information, which will enable them to function as integral members of the corporate maintenance team. Coursework includes analysis of maintenance faults, aircraft systems logic, corrective action selection, as well as time and expense analysis.

CABAA will provide partial reimbursement to assist with travel expenses. This will not cover all associated travel costs, and recipients will be responsible for remaining expenses.

Preference is given to Chicagoland area residents/students.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Demonstrate commitment to aviation and a desire to work in the business aviation field

  • Submit a typed essay, double-spaced, maximum of 1,000 words answering:

    ~ Have you graduated from a college or university offering an aviation program?

    ~ Are you currently employed within business aviation or do you have a desire to begin a career in business aviation?

    ~ What does the phrase “Business Aviation” mean to you?

    ~ How have you prepared yourself for a career in business aviation thus far, and how will you use this training award to advance your career?

  • Include at least three letters of recommendation (other than relatives or students)

    ~ At least one letter from an individual currently involved in business aviation outside of your professors is preferred.

  • Able to participate in a face-to-face interview with the selection committee in June/July 2024

Multiple training courses have been provided by our partners:

FlightSafety works diligently to maintain and enhance their reputation for customer service and the industry’s best, most comprehensive safety training. They deliver more than a million hours of professional instruction each year to pilots, air-craft maintenance technicians, flight attendants, and flight dispatchers. FlightSafety trusts CABAA with finding them the best applicants possible and donates the cost of this award in its entirety.

For over 40 years, Aircare FACTS Training has been the innovative leader in human factor-based emergency procedures training for pilots, flight engineers, flight attendants, other cabin crew and executive frequent flyers. Aircare FACTS Training offers a variety of research-based programs, specifically designed to meet the needs of business aviation and public/military aircraft, especially those looking to meet the cabin safety requirements outlined in FAR Part 135.331.

Backed by 70 years of experience, CAE is the training partner of aviation professionals, airlines, business aviation operators, and aircraft manufacturers over the world. Every year, CAE graduates over 1,000 cadets, and trains more than 220,000 airline pilots, business aviation pilots, maintenance technicians, and cabin crew. CAE trusts CABAA with finding them the best applicants possible and donates the cost of this award in its entirety.

Scholarship Submission Form

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