Alberta Aviation Council Scholarships

What you will need

• ✓ Completed online scholarship application form
• ✓ Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• ✓ Aviation certificates (for pilots only)
• ✓ Last two pages of your logbook (digital versions accepted, for pilots only)
• ✓ For Commercial Pilot Advanced Training applicants: proof of holding a Private Pilot License (PPL) at the time of application
• ✓ For Sarah Stahlke Memorial Bursary applicants: a personal essay describing your career change, passion for aviation, and commitment to mentorship

About this award

Most of these awards provide $1,000 for one year. As these are scholarships and bursaries, they are grants, not loans, so you do not have to pay them back. Specifically, the Emerging Aviator Scholarship has two awards of $1,000 each, the UVS Robotics Technology award is $1,000, the Commercial Pilot Advanced Training has two $1,000 awards, the AME/Avionics award is $1,000 per year, the Flight Instructor Rating award is $1,000, and the Sarah Stahlke Memorial Bursary is $1,000. This program is for you if you are an Alberta resident pursuing a career in aviation, whether you are starting your private pilot license, moving into commercial flight, or transitioning into the field after a previous professional career. In the 2025-2026 round, applications for most awards had to be received by March 1, 2026 (the page also says the program accepted applications until April 1, 2026). That round is closed and the next round's dates are not posted yet. For the Sarah Stahlke Memorial Bursary, the page lists a deadline of April 10, 2027. Only the successful candidates will be notified by the Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Council. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Council how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. They will select a total of seven candidates across five distinct scholarships. Scholarship funds are sent directly to your school on your behalf. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Council whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be an Alberta resident attending a post-secondary institution or certified training facility located in Alberta. For the Emerging Aviator Scholarship, you must be enrolled in flight training for your PPL (Private Pilot License). For UVS Robotics Technology, you must be pursuing a Transport Canada Basic or Advanced RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) Pilot Certificate. For Commercial Pilot Advanced Training, you must be working toward your CPL (Commercial Pilot License) or an advanced rating; if you apply for the Mount Royal University specific award, you must be a full-time second-year student in that program. All Commercial Pilot Advanced Training applicants must hold a PPL at the time of application. For AME/Avionics, you must be pursuing a career as an AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer), either through the Air Cadets or registered in the AME program at SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) for 'E', 'S', and 'M' licenses. For the Flight Instructor Rating award, you must hold a CPL and be enrolled in a flight instructor training program. For the Sarah Stahlke Memorial Bursary, this is intended for women and individuals from underrepresented groups who are changing careers to enter aviation.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• ✓ Open to post-secondary students
• ✓ Resident of Alberta
• ✓ Studying aviation, Private Pilot License, Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Pilot Certificate, Commercial Pilot License, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer or Flight Instructor Rating

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

4. 4

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Personal StatementAvoid writing a generic essay about liking planes. Instead, tell the specific story of your career change and how you embody values of lifelong learning and mentorship. Describe exactly how you will support other students in the aviation community.
• ReferencesAvoid providing a generic character reference. Instead, ask a mentor or instructor to specifically highlight your dedication and your actual potential to succeed in the cockpit or hangar.
• StrategyAvoid missing the different deadlines. In the 2025-2026 round the main scholarships closed March 1, while the memorial bursary lists April 10.
• RealismAvoid assuming the funds go directly to your bank account. Since the money is sent to the institution, check with your school's financial office to see how it affects your tuition balance.

Questions students ask

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