AWPA Scholarships and Awards
Each year, AWPA makes available a range of scholarships and awards that create opportunities for all ages and levels of experience.
All scholarships and awards have eligibility requirements and are awarded on merit. Assessments of applications are made by panels – one for each scholarship – of 3 to 5 people appointed for their appropriate experience/expertise.
Applicants can apply for as many scholarships as they wish, however they can only win one scholarship. The successful applicants are announced at the presentation event usually held in conjunction with the AWPA annual conference.
Most Applications for 2023 are now closed, there are some scholarships detailed below that are still open.
AWPA Scholarships Something for Everyone
This scholarship is to assist an AWPA member to obtain an Instructor Rating or an Instrument Rating, either fixed-wing or rotary, to further a career in aviation. Criteria include being a permanent resident of Australia, holding an Australian CPL, being a financial member of AWPA, and having been an AWPA member for at least two years prior to application.
Value: Up to $8,000 paid on a ‘dollar-for-dollar’ basis.
To assist four women with flight training costs associated with gaining any level of flying proficiency from the early stages of training through to the Commercial Pilot Licence.
Category 1: Applicants must have achieved their first solo in an aeroplane or helicopter (two scholarships).
Category 2: Applicants must have a minimum of five hours cross-country flight time as pilot in command (two scholarships).
An applicant must be at least 15 years of age and must be a financial member of AWPA.
Value: Up to $8,000 per scholarship
The scholarship is to assist with flight training costs associated with completing the navigation component of a Private or Commercial Pilot Licence flying a fixed-wing powered aircraft.
Scholarship applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 24 and must be a financial member of AWPA.
Value: $7,000.
This scholarship is to assist a female pilot with gaining either a Formation or Aerobatic Endorsement. The applicant must hold at least a Private Pilot Licence (A) or provide written certification that such an equivalent level has been attained.
Scholarship applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 24 and must be a financial member of AWPA.
Value: $2,500.
This scholarship is available to a trainee or licensed women pilots who have been inspired to pursue a career in aviation by either:
- A personal experience in aviation assisting the delivery of medical service, or
- The example of another female pilot, either historical or contemporary, involved in the delivery of medical service. While the scholarship aims to assist pilots in training, it is also open to licensed pilots who wish to advance their expertise, particularly where they are focused on how to use their aviation skills in the delivery of medical services in rural and remote areas.
- AWPA membership is not required at the time of application, but the successful applicant will be expected to join AWPA if not already a member.
- The scholarship could be used by the recipient to assist with gaining, retaining, or furthering a flying qualification, endorsement, or rating.
Value: $1,000.
To provide financial assistance for a conversion from an RA-Aus Recreational Pilot Certificate to Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
Value: Up to $3000. On a dollar for dollar basis.
Sponsored by Schofields Flying Club
Supporting women to undertake flight training in Australia in partnership with the Australian Women Pilots’ Association (AWPA).
Applicants must: be female, be an Australian Citizen, or meet the eligibility requirements for a VET Student Loan, be a member of AWPA or have submitted their member application by the time of commencing the course with SFC, be enrolled in the Double Diploma of Aviation | AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane) & AVI50519 Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating)
More information on the scholarship and application information can be found here:
This flight scholarship is to assist a woman with flight training costs associated with gaining flying proficiency in either fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft, in their commercial pilot training block. Criteria includes being at least 17 years of age, have begun or show suitable commitment to Commercial Pilot Licence flight training and hold a current CASA class 1 or 2 medical. Membership of AWPA is not required.
Value: Up to $10,000
Theory Scholarships & Awards Mental Challenges
One scholarship is offered for a female CPL holder to provide assistance towards the cost of the ATPL theory course. Membership of AWPA is not a requirement.
Applicants must hold an Australian CPL with a minimum of 300 hours total time.
Value: $1,000 on a dollar for dollar basis.
Donated by the Ninety Nines Inc. Australian Section
This award is to assist a member of the 99s or AWPA in defraying costs of CASA exam fees, study material and equipment associated with the attainment of licenses or ratings required for a career or commercial involvement in aviation.
Value: $500
Contact: Cathy Hobson
Sponsored by the family of the late Nancy-Bird Walton
This trophy is for the most noteworthy contribution to aviation by a woman of Australasia. Membership of AWPA is not a requirement. Nominations must be in writing, with a seconder – nominations can only come from within AWPA, either from financial individual members or from state or territory branches.
Recreational & Gliding Pilots Awards & Scholarships
Sponsored by AWPA
This scholarship aims to assist a female sailplane pilot to enhance her cross-country skills. Scholarship funds can be used for but are not limited to assisting a sailplane pilot with towing charges, glider hire or retrieval costs.
- Applicants must be a permanent resident of Australia; hold a silver C badge and a current Glider Medical Certificate.
- Membership of AWPA is not a requirement.
Value: $1000 on a dollar for dollar basis.
Sponsored by AWPA
This award is made for the most meritorious gliding flight carried out by a female glider pilot during the previous year, or for an outstanding contribution to the advancement of gliding in Australia.
- Membership of AWPA is not a requirement.
- Perpetual trophy and personal memento (Albatross).
State Funded Scholarships Supporting Members
This scholarship is open to all eligible members of AWPA and may be used for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, gliding, or balloon flight. The intended use of the scholarship could include multi-engine class rating, design feature endorsement, Flight Review, PPL training, CPL training, Private Instrument Rating (PIR), flight activity endorsement, cross country gliding rating, aircraft type endorsement.
It is intended that the scholarship be used for the attainment of one qualification and only for the intended purpose nominated on the application form.
Note: This scholarship is not intended to be used to obtain an Instrument Rating (IR), Flight Instructor Rating (FIR) or Night Visual Flight Rules rating (NVFR).
Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months membership of AWPA, hold a current medical, have completed GFPT (or equivalent for gliding or ballooning) or hold a Recreational Pilot Licence or higher, hold the appropriate licence or rating to undertake the proposed flight training, and for PPL, CPL or PIR, passes in the appropriate theory examinations (evidence to be provided).
Value: $2,500 on a dollar for dollar basis.
To assist a woman of 45 years or more with ab-initio training, Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL), PPL, CPL, Private Instrument Rating (PIR), Night VFR, Flight Review, training or endorsements in Aerobatic Retractable or Tailwheel flying.
Open to any female pilot who is a permanent resident of Australia and is at least 45 years of age. The successful applicant will be required to join AWPA if not already a member.
Value: Up to $1,500 on a dollar for dollar basis.
The grant is to provide assistance of up to $1,000 towards the cost of a rating or endorsement to support the advancement of practical flying skills.
- Applicants must be a resident in Australia, and not be currently undertaking the rating or endorsement being applied for.
- Applicants must hold a RPC or RPL and have a minimum of 50hrs flying experience on powered aircraft.
- Applicants must have been a financial member of AWPA for a minimum of 12 months immediately prior to application for the award.
Value: $1,000 on a dollar for dollar basis.
To assist in the advancement of practical and/or theoretical training. An applicant must be a permanent resident of Australia and have a minimum of 50 hours in a powered aircraft. The award must be used within 12 months.
Membership of AWPA is a requirement, for a minimum of twelve months immediately prior to application for the award.
Value: $2,000 on a dollar for dollar basis.
The award is up to an amount of $2,500 on a dollar for dollar basis to assist a member to undertake practical flight training in a helicopter.
- Applicants must be a permanent resident of Australia and hold a current CASA Medical Certificate.
- Applicants must have a minimum of 5 hours experience in a helicopter.
- Applicants must have been a financial member of AWPA for a minimum of 12 months immediately prior to application for the award.
Value: $2,500 on a dollar for dollar basis.
State Based Scholarships Working for Members
Applicants must have a current aviation medical (as applicable to the relevant aviation sector), be a resident of SA or NT, and have been an AWPA member with a minimum of 24 months in the SA-NT branch.
Value: Variable.
An applicant must have been a WA resident for at least the preceding 12 months and hold a current aviation medical. Membership of AWPA is not a requirement.
Value: $2,000 on a dollar for dollar basis.
The Australian Aerobatic Club Award is designed to financially assist a current AWPA member with a full National and State Chapter AAC membership as well as provide an aerobatic trial introductory flight to experience the thrill and challenge of competition aerobatic flight.