Are you planning to attend college, university, trade school, or another post-secondary program? The AMA Foundation may be able to help!
Each year, the AMA Foundation awards scholarships to students who are pursuing their education and have a connection to model aviation. Nearly $40,000 is available through the AMA Scholarship program, with qualified students eligible to receive up to $15,000 in financial aid for the 2027–2028 academic year.
The application window is October 1, 2026, through February 1, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Who Can Apply?
The AMA Foundation is looking for well-rounded students who are involved in their schools, communities, workplaces, and the hobby of model aviation.
Basic eligibility requirements include:
- AMA membership for at least 36 months out of the past 48 months prior to the application deadline
- Graduating high school students in the Class of Fall 2026 or Spring/Summer 2027 OR currently enrolled post-secondary students
- Students attending a college, university, trade school, or other eligible post-secondary program
- Involvement in the community, workplace, school, or other activities outside of model aviation
- A demonstrated commitment to their education and future goals
Applicants will have the opportunity to share more about their experiences, including job experience, volunteer work, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and other accomplishments. Academic performance is considered as part of an applicant's overall background, but applicants do not need to have perfect grades to be considered.
Some scholarships also have additional eligibility requirements based on factors such as competitive performance, pursuit of a technical degree or certification, or recommendations from AMA club officers and leaders.
Available Scholarships
You can apply for any scholarship for which you are eligible.
- The Cliff & Nancy Telford Scholarship Award ($5,000) is given annually to an individual with a strong competitive record based on participation in AMA and FAI classifications. Both graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled post-secondary students are eligible to apply.
- The Planesmen Aerospace Engineering Degree Scholarship ($5,000) is awarded to an applicant graduating from high school in the year in which the award is granted or a currently enrolled student attending an accredited university and pursuing an engineering degree.
- The Planesmen Aircraft Technician/Maintenance Program (ATP/AMP) Scholarship ($2,500) is awarded to an applicant attending an accredited ATP/AMP program. Applicants must be seeking education in ATP/AMP, Airframe and Powerplant, or Avionics Technician training.
For Graduating High School Seniors
- The Ryan M. Sherrow Memorial Scholarship ($500) is based on a graduating high school senior's overall involvement in the hobby of model aviation.
- The Charles H. Grant Scholarship ($500–$8,000) considers several aspects of an applicant's background. A well-rounded applicant may be more qualified than one who excels in only one area. This scholarship is awarded to multiple applicants annually.
For Currently Enrolled Post-Secondary Students
- The Basil & Dorothy Cooper Memorial Scholarship ($500) is awarded to an eligible post-secondary student pursuing a STEM-related field of study.
