Scholarship applications are open October 1 through November 30 at 11:59 p.m. Central for the following year’s Flight and Academic Scholarships. Winners are announced at the Midwinter Gala, usually in early March, and by email. You don’t need to attend to receive an award.
Flight “Solo” Scholarship · Academic Scholarship · Watson Memorial Scholarship · Leadership Grants
Flight “Solo” Scholarship
$1,500 each · up to four awarded every year
The Flight Scholarship is meant to take a cadet to first solo in an airplane (single-engine land). It covers flight training and the supplies that directly support it, such as the aviation medical exam and ground school. The Board may approve another aircraft category case by case. Training beyond solo can’t be paid from scholarship funds.
The four named scholarships:
- Colonel Louisa Morse Flight “Solo” Scholarship
- General Carl A. Spaatz Flight “Solo” Scholarship
- Colonel Doug Roach Flight “Solo” Scholarship
- General Bergman Flight “Solo” Scholarship
Who can apply
- Civil Air Patrol cadets who have earned the Mitchell Award by the date they apply
- At least a 3.0 GPA in high school or college
- No other similar flight scholarship, including current students and graduates of CAP’s Cadet Wings program (enrolled list, graduates)
- You must be a cadet when applications close, and may use the award through the following year
After you’re selected
- Use the funds within one year of being notified, while you remain an active cadet in good standing or after you transition to senior membership.
- Funds are usually paid as a reimbursement. If you attend a CAP nationally recognized solo flight academy, TSA can pay the school directly, up to the remaining scholarship amount.
- Within 90 days of spending the funds, send a progress or completion report (or a news article) and documentation of how the money was used.
Academic Scholarship
$1,000 minimum
For post-secondary study in an aerospace-industry program or leadership education, at an accredited college, university or trade school.
Who can apply
- Civil Air Patrol cadets who have earned the Mitchell Award by the date they apply
- At least a 2.7 GPA in high school, college or trade school
- You must be a cadet when applications close, and may use the award the following year as a cadet or senior member
- You may not have been selected to attend a military service academy
Colonel Gregory “Evil” Watson Memorial Scholarship
Varies each year with available funding
Supports cadet participation in educational, leadership, aerospace and character-development activities, with priority for the Louisiana Wing Summer Encampment. Open to cadets demonstrating financial need; an essay is required.
Leadership Grants
Up to $500 per quarter
Leadership Grants fund projects at the squadron, group, wing, region or national level that directly develop cadet leadership.
Grant deadlines: November 30, February 28 (29 in leap years), May 31 and August 31. Applications are considered every quarter.
INDIVIDUAL
Service projects or leadership training for cadets who hold the Mitchell Award and are in good academic standing. Not for flight training or general academic costs.
UNIT
Squadron, group, wing, region or broader projects centered on cadet leadership. Flight, emergency-services or aerospace activities qualify only with a direct leadership-development component.
SPECIAL
Operating support for qualifying national or headquarters-level cadet programs, not an individual participant’s fee. Follow the unit process and contact us about special requirements.
After an award
- Confirm your contact information so TSA can send the funds.
- Send a short letter of introduction and appreciation for our donors.
- Within 90 days of spending the funds, send a completion report or news article with documentation of how the money was used.
- Use the funds for the approved purpose. Funds not used within 12 months normally go back to TSA. Missing reports or misuse can affect future eligibility.
- Reports are shared with donors, so leave out CAPIDs, birthdays and home addresses. Names and grades are fine.
Questions or support
Questions about scholarships or grants: Beth Blank, Scholarship and Grant Committee Chair, beth.blank@spaatz.org. To fund a scholarship or grant, see How to Give.