Calgary Foundation · Regional
James Roach Memorial Award
About this award
Get $1,000 for your tuition if you are a Canadian student entering your second year or beyond in a full-time pilot or aircraft maintenance program — apply by June 1, 2026.
You can receive one award valued at $1,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are passionate about aviation and have spent significant time leading others through long-term volunteer work. You must apply by June 1, 2026. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — email, portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Calgary Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. The money is applied directly to tuition. Confirm with your school's financial aid office how this credit appears on your account so you can plan your payments. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Calgary Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
- Post Secondary — study level
- Studying Pilot, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer — field of study
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Draft and revise your essays~10 hours
Use the STAR framework. Be specific, show impact, proofread twice.
Submit by Jun 1, 2026~1 hour
Double-check every field, save a copy, and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
The biggest mistake is listing a few random events you attended.
Winners instead show a deep commitment to one or two causes over several years.
List the specific number of hours you volunteered and the exact impact you had on the organization.
The biggest mistake is providing a generic character reference.
Winners instead get letters from aviation instructors or flight school managers who can vouch for their technical aptitude and professionalism in the cockpit or hangar.
The biggest mistake is focusing only on your grades.