Building the Future of Aviation — One Student at a Time

At Choose Aerospace, we believe the future of aviation depends on creating opportunities for the next generation of skilled technicians, mechanics, and aviation professionals. In its first year partnering with SKILLED Nation (formerly SkillPointe Foundation), the Choose Aerospace Scholarship program confirmed something powerful: students across the country are eager to pursue aviation careers — they simply need access and support to get there.

This year alone, the program reached more than 1,600 students and received 586 eligible scholarship applications from individuals pursuing aviation maintenance and technical training. Applications came from 44 states and more than 120 school campuses, reflecting growing national interest in aviation workforce careers.

Behind those numbers are students working hard to build better futures for themselves and their families. More than half of applicants came from households earning under $50,000 annually, and nearly three-quarters reported household incomes below $75,000. These figures highlight the real financial barriers many students face while pursuing technical education — and why scholarship support can make all the difference.

Many scholarship recipients are expected to complete their programs and enter the workforce within the next one to two years, helping address the growing aviation maintenance workforce shortage. In fact, nearly 70% of recipients are projected to graduate in 2027, signaling a strong incoming wave of aviation talent entering the industry.

At the same time, the first-year outcomes reveal just how much unmet need still exists. With 586 eligible applicants competing for only 20 scholarships, demand far exceeded available funding. Currently, only 1 in 29 applicants receives scholarship support, representing more than $6.5 million in unmet student need.

Choose Aerospace is committed to helping more students access aviation training and build meaningful careers in the industry. Together with schools and industry partners, we’re working to create more opportunities for the next generation of aviation professionals.

Organizations and individuals interested in helping expand scholarship opportunities and support the future aviation workforce can learn more about supporting the program here: www.chooseaerospace.org/support

For students considering this path: aviation needs talented people who are ready to learn, work hard, and help shape the future of the industry.
​
The 2027 Choose Aerospace Scholarship application portal will open November 1. Students are encouraged to watch for application announcements and prepare to apply for the next round of scholarship opportunities here: www.chooseaerospace.org/scholarship