Resources & opportunities
Announcements
OBAP 50th Annual Conference
August 12-14, 2026
Some of our students attended the OBAP conference in Tacoma, Washington last year, and had a wonderful time. We highly recommend students attend the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)’s 50th conference in Chicago, Illinois to celebrate the organization’s legacy and mission as a community.
UAA 79th Collegiate Aviation Education Conference
Dates Coming Soon!
We highly recommend students attend the University Aviation Association (UAA)’s conference in Dallas, Texas.
Internships
Our students participate in a variety of internships over the course of their time at Hampton University. These internships include working in airport management, air traffic control, airline operations, and more! All aviation students are required to complete a minimum of one internship in order to satisfy graduation requirements.
Internships provide students valuable hands-on experience, networking, and vast opportunities in the industry. Below is a list of some of the organizations where our students have completed internships:
- Black Girls Drone
- Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
- Dulles International Airport
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
- Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA)
- Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF)
- Richmond International Airport (RIC)
- Southwest Airlines
- Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
- United Airlines
Scholarships
Education is expensive, so ensure you continuously apply for scholarships to alleviate costs. Many of our students are previous winners of the funds listed below.
General Aviation Scholarships
Lawrence C. Frontier Memorial Scholarship
Students enrolled half- to full-time in a program leading to a bachelor’s degree or higher in an aviation-related course of study. Learn more on the ATCA website.
Usual Deadline: May
Amount(s) Awarded: one scholarship valued at $2,000-$10,000
Criteria:
- Applicant must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited college or university and planning to continue enrollment the following year.
- Coursework leads to a Bachelor’s Degree or advanced degree.
- Must have a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours still to be completed before graduation.
- Two letters of recommendation in support of the application for the ATCA Scholarship Program.
Laura Taber Barbour Scholarship Fund
Awards accomplished students enrolled in aviation career studies at accredited aviation schools, nominated by their professors and selected by the Scholarship Committee. Nominations are based on a student’s commitment to a career in aviation, scholastic excellence indicative of success in the future, a strong interest in and aptitude for aviation safety and commendable character, professionalism and integrity. Learn more here.
Usual Deadline: April
Amount Awarded: $2,000 annually, non-renewable
Criteria:
- Must be a rising senior.
- Must be nominated by a professor.
Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund
In the memory of Captain Jason Dahl, and with respect to all the victims of the events of 9/11/2001, this fund supports future generation of pilots, young people yearning to fly and who wish to attend accredited commercial flight schools in the United States. Learn more here.
Usual Deadline: April
Amount Awarded: $2,000 annually, non-renewable
Criteria:
- Full-time student having completed at least one semester at an accredited 4-year college/university program located within the United States.
- Majoring in Aviation or an equivalent field.
RACCA Scholarships
A visionary leader who redefined global logistics, Mr. Smith’s impact continues to shape the aviation industry and inspire future generations. This new scholarship embodies RACCA’s commitment to investing in the next wave of aviation professionals. Together, we celebrate this exciting milestone and pay tribute to a true industry pioneer—supporting the innovators and leaders who will carry Frederick W. Smith’s legacy of excellence into the skies of tomorrow. Learn more here.
Amount Awarded: $2,500 annually, non-renewable
Criteria:
Be a college student currently enrolled in an accredited aviation program.
Be a citizen of the United States.
Currently carry a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
*Candidates will be considered without regard to race, gender, religion, disability or national origin
ICAS Foundation/GAMA Scholarship
The ICAS Foundation has joined with GAMA to provide assistance to students seeking an aviation-related degree. Eligible students are those who are enrolled in an aviation-related degree program, such as professional pilot, maintenance/engineering, or aviation business. The applicant must have completed at least two semesters in an aviation-related declared major, with a demonstrated ability and intention to complete their degree. Learn more here.
Usual Deadline: December 31st of every year.
Amount Awarded: $2,000 annually, non-renewable
Criteria:
Be a college student currently enrolled in an accredited aviation program.
Be a citizen of the United States.
Completed at least two semesters in an aviation-related declared major.
ATCA/Leidos Scholarship for Aviation Innovation
Students enrolled half to full-time in a program leading to a bachelor’s degree who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to advancing the future of aviation. Learn more on the ATCA website.
Application Opens: Spring 2026
Usual Deadline: May
Amount(s) Awarded: One scholarship valued at $2,000-$10,000
Criteria:
- Applicant must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited college or university and planning to continue enrollment the following year.
- Coursework leads to a Bachelor’s Degree or advanced degree.
- Attendance is equal to at least half-time (6 semester hours or the equivalent).
- Must have a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours still to be completed before graduation.
- Two letters of recommendation in support of the application for the ATCA Scholarship Program.
Air Traffic Control Scholarships
Gabriel A. Hartl Scholarship
Students enrolled half- to full-time in a two- to four-year air traffic control program at an institution approved and/or licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration as directly supporting the FAA’s college and training initiative. Learn more on the ATCA website.
Usual Deadline: May
Amount(s) Awarded: One scholarship valued at $2,000-$10,000
Criteria:
- Applicant must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited college or university and planning to continue enrollment the following year.
- Coursework leads to a Bachelor’s Degree or advanced degree.
- Must have a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours still to be completed before graduation.
- Two letters of recommendation in support of the application for the ATCA Scholarship Program.
Buckingham Memorial Scholarship
U.S. citizens, children of air traffic control specialists enrolled half- to full-time in a program leading to a bachelor’s degree or higher. Learn more on the ATCA website.
Usual Deadline: May
Amount(s) Awarded: One scholarship valued at $2,000-$10,000
Criteria:
- Applicant must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited college or university and planning to continue enrollment the following year.
- Coursework leads to a Bachelor’s Degree or advanced degree.
- Attendance is equal to at least half-time (6 semester hours or the equivalent).
- Must have a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours still to be completed before graduation.
- Two letters of recommendation in support of the application for the ATCA Scholarship Program.
ATCA Full-Time Employee Student Scholarship
Full-time employees enrolled in advanced study programs to improve their skills in air traffic control or an aviation discipline. Learn more on the ATCA website.
Usual Deadline: May
Amount(s) Awarded: One scholarship valued at $2,000-$10,000
Criteria:
- Applicant must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited college or university and planning to continue enrollment the following year.
- Coursework leads to a Bachelor’s Degree or advanced degree.
- Attendance is equal to at least half-time (6 semester hours or the equivalent).
- Must have a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours still to be completed before graduation.
- Two letters of recommendation in support of the application for the ATCA Scholarship Program.
Flight & Pilot Scholarships
Pioneers of Flight Scholarship
College Sophomore or Junior students enrolled in a full-time aviation degree program at an accredited four-year college/university. Learn more on the NATA website.
Usual Deadline: No later than the last Friday in December
Amount(s) Awarded: Two scholarships valued at $1,000 each.
Criteria:
- Applicant must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited college or university and planning to continue enrollment the following year.
- High academic achiever with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Able to demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in general aviation.
- Complete transcript (one original and three photocopies).
- Paper/Resume indicating career goals in general aviation.
- Essay on general aviation.
- A letter of recommendation.
Sheltair & Avfuel: Future Takes Flight Scholarship Program / Learning to Fly or Advanced Pilot Ratings Scholarship
Sheltair and Avfuel aim to re-invest into the community by financially supporting aviators who are pursuing business aviation. These funds can be used for coursework or flight lessons for students pursuing their private pilot certificate, adding a type training (multi-engine, commercial, etc.), adding to their certificate with an ATP, completing a Bachelor’s degree, working towards a CAM certification, or completing upset recovery training. Learn more here.
Application Opens: January 2, 2026
Usual Deadline: June
Amount(s) Awarded: Two scholarships valued at $5,000 each.
Criteria:
- Recipients chosen based on essay submissions and special consideration given to those facing financial hardship.
OBAP Scholarships
The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) supports minority interests and placement in aerospace careers, and these funds allow award recipients to advance or pursue diverse aviation-related careers.
Application Opens: April
Usual Deadline: July
Amount(s) Awarded: $500-$10,000
High Schoolers
GAMA Edward Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is an international trade association
dedicated to fostering and advancing the general welfare, safety, interests, and activities of the
global business and general aviation industry. GAMA represents over 140 of the world’s leading
manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics, and components, as well as
operators of maintenance facilities, fixed base operations, aircraft fleets, and pilot and training
facilities. GAMA offers the Edward W. Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award annually as part of
its commitment to advancing careers in general aviation. Learn more here.
Usual Deadline: April
Amount(s) Awarded: $2,500, nonrenewable.
Criteria:
- Be a current student at a U.S. high school, graduating in the Spring of 2025.
- Be accepted to and enrolling in an institution for an aviation-related degree program (e.g.,
flight training, aviation management, aerospace engineering, aviation maintenance). - Have a 3.0 or better grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).
The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides a multi-faceted experience designed to not only address the financial needs of students who aspire to attend college but to guide them through the process of higher education. Learn more here.
Usual Deadline: January 7th, 2026.
Amount(s) Awarded: $500-$4,000 per semester, renewable.
Criteria:
- Graduating high school senior.
- Be a United States citizen.
- Present evidence of financial need (FAFSA).
- Demonstrate a record of academic excellence.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a dedication to community service.
- Plan to attend an accredited and JRF approved 4-year college/university within the United States or affiliated with a United States based college or university.
- Have not accrued more than 25% of credits needed to graduate from college.
Hiller Aviation Museum Flight Training Scholarship
The Hiller Aviation Museum offers a $15,000 flight training scholarship to obtain an FAA Private Pilot Certificate, which is funded by the Ray Foundation and other contributors. This scholarship is for those who have already developed flight ambitions; who have done their homework and are personally knowledgeable about the process and practices to obtain their license, and have already take their first steps. This is not a full-ride; it covers majority of expenses yet recipients must be able to incur some costs prior to receiving funds. Most importantly, scholarship funds cannot be released until the FAA Airman’s Private Pilot Written Exam is completed, so this key task must be accomplished early. Learn more here.
Deadline: April 10, 2026
Amount(s) Awarded: $15,000; nonrenewable.
Criteria:
- Must be 16-18 years old as of May 8th, 2026.
- Must live in the San Francisco Bay Area (limited to 11 counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, and San Benito).
- Flight training must be conducted at a Part 61 or Part 141 flight school in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The applicant must complete the following before receiving funds:
- Participate in a 1-hour evening or weekend orientation session at Hiller Aviation Museum.
- Schedule and conduct a discovery flight with a local flight school, if not done already.
- Successfully complete and obtain an FAA 3rd Class Medical exam.
- Visit and select a flight school for training.
- Submit a Flight Training plan, including an approximate timeline for completion of goals such as solo, first cross country, etc. Flight training must be completed within 9 months after the awarding of the scholarship.
- Pass the FAA Airman’s Private Pilot Written Exam.
Scholarship recipients will be assigned a liaison for administering the scholarship. Recipients must regularly communicate progress reports to their assigned liaison. Awardees will be guests at the Hiller Aviation Museum’s annual Benefit Gala, typically held in the fall.
The Coca Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. Learn more here.
Usual Deadline: September
Amount(s) Awarded: $20,000, renewable.
Criteria:
- Currently enrolled high school/home-schooled students attending school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools who will graduate high school during the 2025-2026 academic school year (students graduating from an American or expat school abroad are not eligible for this award; individuals who have already graduated from high school are not eligible).
- U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, or Humanitarian Parolees – based on the guidelines utilized by U.S. Department of Education for Federal Financial Aid eligibility.
- Expecting to receive high school diploma during current academic year.
- Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.
- Able to verify a minimum overall B/3.0 GPA in high school coursework
Applicants may not be:
- Children or grandchildren of current employees, officers, or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions, or subsidiaries.
- Children or grandchildren of former employees who are currently receiving retirement benefits based on their previous employment with Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions, or subsidiaries.
- International students (with the exception of students at DoD schools).
- High School Graduates
- Temporary Residents
The Gates Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Learn more here.
Usual Deadline: September
Amount(s) Awarded: Varies.
Criteria:
A high school senior.
Pell-eligible.
U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
In good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
Must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university.
An ideal candidate will have:
An outstanding academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class).
Demonstrated leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities).
Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.).
