As part of its commitment to the celebration of model aviation, the Academy of Model Aeronautics has always strongly believed that not only is our hobby fun and rewarding personally, but also offers an exciting path to a career in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and even the arts. To support this pathway, the AMA Foundation makes several academic scholarships available every year. To date, the AMA has distributed over $1.3 million to scholarship recipients nationwide! Whether college is the next chapter in your academic journey or one you are currently in the middle of, the AMA wants to invest in both your future and the future of our shared passion.
To be eligible for any scholarship, the applicant must:
- Have been an AMA member for 36 continuous months prior to the application deadline.
- Be graduating from high school in the year in which the award is granted or be currently enrolled as a college or university student for the coming academic year.
- Indicate an anticipated major and colleges and universities to which the applicant has applied.
Please note that to be considered, all applicants must submit their scores for SAT and/or ACT tests
All applications are evaluated by the AMA Scholarship Committee that makes a recommendation to the AMA Education Director, and ultimately, the AMA’s Executive Council.
The Charles H. Grant Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors each year. The number of scholarships awarded each year, and the amount each recipient is awarded, depends upon the number of applicants and their qualifications. You can read more about Charles H. Grant by visiting this page from our National Model Aviation museum biographies section.
Several important criteria are taken into consideration. To have the best chance of success, applicants should be academically superior as well as participants in many aspects of school, modeling, and the community. High achievement in all the categories is of course important for the maximum amount to be awarded to an individual.
However, a person who is not at the top of his or her class academically may still win a significant scholarship award if he or she is active in the community, in aeromodeling, or both. Applicants’ backgrounds in their entirety are taken into consideration, and a well-rounded person may well be more qualified than one who excels only in school grades or in modeling!
Graduating high school seniors also have the option to apply for two additional scholarship opportunities. Only one applicant will be selected for each of the following scholarships:
The Cliff & Nancy Telford Scholarship award for $5,000 is given annually to the graduating senior with the best competitive record, based on participation in the following classifications:
- AMA National Aeromodeling Championships (“Nats”) – AAAAA
- National Championships – AAAA
- FAI Team Selection Contest
- AMA Record Trials
- FAI World Championships
- FAI World Cup
- FAI Continental Championships
- FAI Open International and Limited International
- FAI Record Attempt
You can learn more about Cliff and Nancy Telford by visiting this link from the National Model Aviation Museum Biographies section.
Note: The specific events flown must have been run in strict accordance with the rules contained in the official AMA Competition Regulations or FAI Sporting Code documents. Events of a “fun-fly” nature or other rule derivatives will not be considered.
The Ryan M. Sherrow Memorial Scholarship is based on a graduating high school senior’s overall involvement in the hobby of model aviation, including building, flying, competing, participating in club events and activities, mentoring, assisting others and general promotion of the hobby. A $500 scholarship is awarded each year.
AMA members Debbie and Clay Sherrow created this scholarship to honor the memory of their son, Ryan. A talented radio-control pilot and dedicated club member, Ryan was always willing to help others learn about model aviation until his sudden and tragic passing at the age of 14.
You can read more about Ryan by visiting this article from the Tucson news.
Finally, the Basil & Dorothy Cooper Award is given annually to an applicant currently enrolled in an undergraduate program. This award is granted to a current college student pursuing an engineering or technical degree at an accredited four-year institution. Scholarship founder Basil Cooper Jr. established this $500 scholarship in memory of his parents, Dorothy and Basil Cooper Sr.
The application process for this scholarship consists of essay questions, so be prepared to describe your involvement with aeromodeling, your community, and extracurricular activities in detail to have the best chance of success.
You can read more about Basil and Dorothy Cooper by visiting this link from the National Model Aviation Museum biographies section.
Required Information for:
Charles H. Grant Scholarship
- Personal information (name, address, etc.) including AMA number
- Information about high school(s) attended
- Information about the college you expect to attend
- School/community activities
- Work experience
- Aeromodeling experience
- An Official Secondary School Report, which must be completed by a designated authority at your high school, and will consist of:
- GPA
- Transcript
- ACT/SAT score
- Evaluation of your motivation, ability, judgment, originality, and potential
Cliff & Nancy Telford Scholarship
- All Charles H. Grant Scholarship requirements
- Classifications, dates, and events flown as part of your competitive participation
Ryan M. Sherrow Memorial Scholarship
- All Charles H. Grant Scholarship requirements
- 1-3 letters of recommendation from other modelers, club officers, Leader Members or AMA officers documenting the applicant’s involvement and contributions to the hobby.
Basil & Dorothy Cooper Scholarship
- Personal information (name, address, etc.) including AMA number
- Current enrollment at an accredited four-year college or university
- Pursuit of a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degree
- Transcript of college coursework as of your most recently completed semester
- Modeling experience that has influenced your career goals
- Extracurricular/community experience that has influenced your academic and career goals
Scholarship applications are accepted until February 5th and can be found at https://modelaircraft.secure-platform.com/a/page/scholarships