How Does $5,000 Sound to Help Someone Pursue Their Dream of Becoming a Professional Ag Pilot? 

Thanks to the generous support of BASF and Thrush Aircraft, $20,000 in aid is available under the 2024 NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship program to support aspiring agricultural pilots in their training needs. The scholarship program will award up to four $5,000 scholarships to deserving, qualified students for flight training or aviation or ag-related coursework at a university, college, community college or other institution of higher learning.

The application is closed for 2024

Purpose

To bring new pilots into Agricultural Aviation and help fund their training. Scholarship is to be used for flight training or aviation or ag-related coursework at a university, college, community college or other institution of higher learning.

Amount

The NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship program will award up to four (4) one-year scholarships to deserving, qualified students participating in one or more of the following programs:

  1. A flight training program
  2. An NAAA Operator-sponsored flight-training apprentice program
  3. An aviation or aviation vocational program for a second-year or later students enrolled at a U.S. 2-year or 4-year program of study at an accredited junior college, college or university.
  4. An agriculture, agribusiness or ag vocation program for a second-year or later student(s) enrolled at a U.S. 2-year or 4-year program of study at an accredited junior college, college or university.

Four $5,000 scholarship awards have been established to support aspiring agricultural pilots in their training needs. Scholarships are awarded based on the merits of the application. NAAA reserves the right not to award all four scholarships if it is not merited based on the pool of applicants. One award per applicant. All funds are in U.S. dollars. 

For Applicants: 

  • Applicant must be sponsored by an NAAA Operator Member in the Operator dues category.
  • Applicants may only apply for one NAAA pilot-training scholarship a year—either the NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship or the Charles Stokes Memorial Turbine Training Scholarship, but not both in the same year.
  • ​Prior “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” or NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarship winners are not eligible.
  • Paid employees of NAAA, BASF and Thrush Aircraft and immediate members of their families are not eligible.

For Sponsors:

  • Each applicant must be sponsored by an NAAA Member Operator in the Operator dues category.
  • An NAAA Operator Member may sponsor only one ”NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow Scholarship applicant per year.

Applicants must apply using NAAA’s online application. A link to the online application is available  below. The applicant will fill out ALL applicant and sponsor information. The NAAA Operator Sponsor must write a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. Upload all required material noted in the Application Checklist and any additional supporting documentation using the NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship’s online application portal. The deadline to apply is Aug. 31, 2024.

Application Checklist

  • Completed application.
  • One (1) letter of recommendation from the NAAA Operator Member sponsoring the applicant. In the sponsor’s letter, please comment on the applicant’s agricultural or flying background as well as their general character, focusing on why you believe the applicant will become a good ag pilot and what the applicant should do to further his or her training and development.
  • Essay of 250 words or less explaining how you would use the NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship to further your education and training.
  • One-page résumé or list of activities detailing all agricultural and aviation experiences, education and training.

Plus:

If scholarship proceeds are for flight training:

  • Provide proof you are enrolled or have been accepted for enrollment in a flight training program (ag or otherwise).

If scholarship proceeds are for an Operator-sponsored apprentice program:

  • Provide a brief but detailed explanation of the apprentice program.

If scholarship proceeds are for aviation or ag-related coursework at a college or university:

  • Submit an official transcript from applicant’s college, junior college or university. (GPA must be 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale at the time of application to be eligible for NAAA scholarship.) The Registrar’s Office can mail your official transcript to NAAA or place it in a sealed envelope for you to mail it to:
    • NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship
      1440 Duke Street
      Alexandria, VA 22314
    • Email school transcript to information@agaviation.org
    • (GPA must be 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale at the time of application to be eligible for NAAA scholarship.).
  • Provide proof you are seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree in an aviation or aviation vocational field, or an agricultural, agribusiness or ag vocation field (transcript may suffice; consult your registrar or department office for more information).

All applications must be received by August 31 to be eligible for scholarship funds available for the following calendar year (January–December).

  • All applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
    • Need
    • Prior experience
    • Likelihood of retention in the aerial application industry
    • Strength of operator’s recommendation letter
    • Strength of applicant’s essay
  • Applications will be reviewed and winners chosen during the Fall NAAA Board Meeting by the NAAA Membership Committee.
  • Winners will be notified by November 1. Scholarship recipients will be publicly announced at the 2024 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo in November.
  • The decision of the NAAA Membership Committee is final.

Payment: A tuition bill must be presented verifying enrollment of the applicant. Except in cases where scholarship proceeds are being used for an operator-sponsored apprentice program, checks will be made payable to the education or training institution before the recipient’s training/coursework begins or resumes. Any funds paid directly to the applicant as part of this award not used for approved higher education or apprenticeship expenses must be returned to NAAA. Paid receipts for tuition or higher education expenses must be provided. A signed statement from the Operator providing the apprenticeship will serve to verify those expenses. Scholarship recipients must provide proof of expenses to NAAA by June 1 of the year following the award. Apprenticeship payments used for living expenses may be taxable.

Revisions: NAAA reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship program and make changes at any time.

The NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship is funded by educational grants provided by BASF and Thrush Aircraft and administered by the National Agricultural Aviation Association.