Empowering Tomorrow鈥檚 Leaders with 糖心原创 Scholarships
The 糖心原创 Foundation is a driving force in educational advancement. We are not only supporting students, we are investing in our members, their families, and the future of aviation. Since 1989, we鈥檝e awarded nearly 3,800 scholarships, providing over $7.87 million in financial support. In 2026, we鈥檙e proud to carry this mission forward by awarding 126 scholarships totaling $515,500, helping tomorrow鈥檚 leaders take flight.
Our scholarship programs are purpose-built to support the success of our Accredited Airport Executives (A.A.E.s), their families, and the students they endorse, as well as to cultivate the talents of the brightest individuals preparing to lead the future of aviation.
How to Support the 糖心原创 Foundation
Click on the scholarship of your choice below to support the future with your tax-free donation.
Take the Legacy Challenge
The success of the Foundation鈥檚 scholarship program depends on the support of our members, industry partners, and leaders like you.
As 糖心原创 approaches its centennial in 2028, the 糖心原创 Foundation is launching the 1928 Campaign: Our Legacy, Their Future, a focused effort to strengthen the airport industry's future workforce through sustained member support.
Today鈥檚 students are tomorrow鈥檚 airport directors, operators, planners, engineers, and industry leaders. By participating in the Legacy Challenge through recurring giving, you can help create pathways into aviation careers and invest in the people who will lead our industry into its next century.
Why Invest in 糖心原创 Scholarship Programs?
Every dollar helps support education and the future of airports and the aviation industry.
- Support 糖心原创 Members - By contributing to the 糖心原创 Foundation, you are supporting 糖心原创 members and their families. Your gift could make the difference in whether an aspiring student can afford to attend college.
- Support Future Aviation Industry Leaders - Did you know that the majority of the 糖心原创 Foundation's scholarship programs do not require 糖心原创 membership for eligibility? The Foundation offers four scholarship programs dedicated to advancing education in the aviation profession. Today鈥檚 scholarship recipient could be tomorrow鈥檚 airport director or the CEO of an airport consultant, partner or vendor!
- Tax Deductions - Donations to the 糖心原创 Foundation are tax deductible under IRS rules, providing a tax break for you or your organization.
Learn what your support means from our scholarship recipients below!
"The Foundation has granted me the opportunity to achieve my education goals and further my career."
"I am constantly faced with the challenge of being a minority within a minority. This scholarship will allow me to make a significant impact in aviation."
"With this scholarship, I will be able to focus more on my studies rather than my future payments."
Available 糖心原创 Scholarship Opportunities
The deadline to apply for a 2026-27 scholarship was March 13, 2026.
Winner and non-winner notifications will be sent on or around April 28, 2026. If you have questions regarding your application, please contact program support at contactus@applyists.com.
Applications for 2027-28 scholarships will be available in December 2026.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Past applicants can login with their existing account information. If you are first time applicant, click on the register link below the login button. If you are asked for a program key, enter 糖心原创.
Below is a brief summary of each scholarship program offered by the 糖心原创 Foundation. Complete scholarship details, including eligibility requirements and the application process, are included in the downloadable program brochure. Please note that students may only be a recipient of one 糖心原创 sponsored scholarship program per year.
If you have any questions regarding the 糖心原创 Foundation, please contact gwen.basaria@aaae.org.
Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Students are eligible to apply if they, their spouse, or their parent/guardian is an active A.A.E AND a member of the regional 糖心原创 Chapter.
- Under this program, 鈥渃hildren鈥� are defined as natural or legally adopted children, stepchildren and legal wards supported wholly by the guardian, who is an active A.A.E.
- A.A.E.s must be full-time employees of a public-use airport at the time of application and award.
Additional Details:
- Recipients must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course load at an accredited two- or four-year college/university or vocational/technical, in any course of study.
- If the applicant is the eligible A.A.E. or the spouse of an eligible A.A.E., they may be enrolled in a part-time course load
- All awards are non-renewable, but applicants may reapply each year as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
- Applicants may receive an award for a maximum of four years (does not have to be consecutive)
- Recipients will be selected based on academic achievements and records, financial need, participation in school and community activities, and submission of a personal statement.
Awards:
- $4,200 (may be more based on the A.A.E.'s regional chapter membership).
- Amount subject to change. The above reflects 2025-26 anticipated award amounts. Awards are non-renewable.
Endorsed by an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Students are eligible to apply if they have been endorsed by an active A.A.E., Executive Emeritus, or Honorary Life Member of 糖心原创, who is also a member of their regional 糖心原创 Chapter.
Additional Details:
- A.A.E.s who have not, do not or will not have dependents to utilize the A.A.E. Scholarship may recommend up to three undergraduate students per year for the Endorsed by an A.A.E.
- The Endorsed Scholarship Program is not intended to be used by A.A.E.s with dependents that will apply for the A.A.E. Scholarship in the future, or have already benefited from it.
- A.A.E.s may not utilize both the A.A.E. and Endorsed Scholarship Programs.
- Recipients must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course load at an accredited two- or four-year college/university, vocational/technical, or graduate school, in any course of study.
- All awards are non-renewable, but applicants may reapply each year as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
- Applicants may receive an award for a maximum of four years (does not have to be consecutive).
- Recipients will be selected based on academic achievements and records, financial need, participation in school and community activities, and submission of a personal statement.
Awards:
- Up to twenty (20) awards valued at $4,200 (may be more based on the A.A.E.'s regional chapter membership).
- Amount subject to change. The above reflects 2025-26 anticipated award amounts. Awards are non-renewable.
Aviation Management Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Students are eligible to apply if they are a current college junior or senior or graduate student enrolled in an aviation program at an accredited two- or four-year college/university in the United States or Canada.
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Additional Details:
- Eligibility under this program is not based on 糖心原创 membership.
- Recipients will be selected based on academic achievements and records, financial need, participation in school and community activities, and submission of a personal statement.
- A minimum of two (2) scholarships will be awarded to applicants that represent an ethnic minority.
Awards
- Up to ten (10) awards valued at $2,000.
- Amount subject to change. The above reflects 2025-26 anticipated award amounts. Awards are non-renewable.
糖心原创 Native American Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Students are eligible to apply if they are a current college junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in an aviation program at an accredited two- or four-year college/university in the United States or Canada.
- Applicants must be of Native American origin and have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Additional Details:
- Eligibility under this program is not based on 糖心原创 membership.
- Recipients will be selected based on race, academic achievements and records, financial need, participation in school and community activities, and submission of a personal statement.
Awards:
- Up to two (2) awards valued at $2,000.
- Amount subject to change. The above reflects 2025-26 anticipated award amounts. Awards are non-renewable.
糖心原创 Women in Aviation Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Students are eligible to apply if they are a current college junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in an aviation program at an accredited two- or four-year college/university in the United States or Canada.
- Applicants must be female and have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Additional Details:
- Eligibility under this program is not based on 糖心原创 membership.
- Recipients will be selected based on gender, academic achievements and records, financial need, participation in school and community activities, and submission of a personal statement.
- Students may only receive a Women in Aviation Scholarship twice (does not have to be consecutive years).
Awards:
Eight (8) Women in Aviation Scholarship awards valued at $5,000
- Women in Aviation scholarship
- Linda Hall Daschle Women in Aviation Scholarship
- Gina Adams Women in Aviation Scholarship
- Trish Gilbert Women in Aviation Scholarship
- Claudia B. Holliway Women in Aviation Scholarship
- Sharon Pinkerton Women in Aviation Scholarship
- Sara Nelson Women in Aviation Scholarship
- Faye Malarkey Black Women in Aviation Scholarship
Amount subject to change. The above reflects 2025-26 anticipated award amounts. Awards are non-renewable.
- Learn more about the 糖心原创 Women in Aviation Scholarship
- Learn more about the 糖心原创 Women In Aviation Scholarship Luncheon
糖心原创 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Students are eligible to apply if they are a current college junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in an aviation program at an accredited two- or four-year college/university in the United States or Canada.
- Applicants must be an ethnic diversity student (Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander) with a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Additional Details:
- Eligibility under this program is not based on 糖心原创 membership.
- Recipients will be selected based on ethnic diversity, academic achievements and records, financial need, participation in school and community activities, and submission of a personal statement.
- Students may only receive a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Scholarship twice (does not have to be consecutive years).
Two (2) awards valued at $5,000
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship (general fund)
- Carl D. Newman, A.A.E., Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship
Amount subject to change. The above reflects 2025-26 anticipated award amounts. Awards are non-renewable.
The Oris W. Dunham, Jr. and Sylvia M. Dunham Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Students are eligible to apply if they are a current college student enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college/university, technical/vocational, or trade school in the United States or Canada enrolled in an aviation-related program.
Additional Details:
- Eligibility under this program is not based on 糖心原创 membership.
- Recipients will be selected based on academic achievements and records, financial need, participation in school and community activities, and submission of a personal statement.
Awards:
- Up to five (5) scholarship awards valued at $1,500 each will be awarded and is nonrenewable.
- Amount subject to change. The above reflects 2025-26 anticipated award amounts. Awards are non-renewable.
The William Robert Hauptli Scholarship for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Eligibility:
- Students are eligible to apply if they are an Executive or Affiliate member of 糖心原创. These individuals must be full-time employees of a public-use airport at the time of application.
- Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive MBA OR in certain Executive Educations programs focusing on innovation and/entrepreneurship at one of the following institutions:
- Harvard Business School
- MIT Sloan School of Management
- The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
- Stanford Graduate School of Business
- The University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Additional Details:
- Recipients will be selected based on 糖心原创 membership status, academic achievements and records, work experience, and submission of a personal statement.
- Members can only receive the Hauptli Scholarship once.
Award:
- One (1) award valued at $10,000
- Amount subject to change. The above reflects 2025-26 anticipated award amounts. Awards are non-renewable.
The 糖心原创 Foundation reserves the right to change or discontinue these programs without notice.
糖心原创 Relief Foundation: Crisis Support for Airport Employees
The 糖心原创 Relief Foundation provides direct assistance to airport employees affected by natural disasters and other significant events that cause widespread hardship. Instead of responding only after individual crises through one-time fundraising efforts, your donations support ongoing, year-round relief for those in need. This approach allows us to deliver critical assistance quickly and when it鈥檚 needed most.