Aero Club of New England Scholarship Guide
✈️ Aero Club of New England: Fueling Aviation Careers Across the Northeast
The Aero Club of New England (ACONE) has been a cornerstone of aviation advancement since 1902. Through a robust scholarship program supporting flight training, aircraft maintenance, and aviation management, ACONE empowers aspiring professionals across the industry. With awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, their scholarships help students overcome financial barriers and take off toward successful careers in aviation. Whether you’re pursuing your first solo flight or leading future aviation operations, ACONE is committed to helping you soar.
Scholarship Name: Aero Club of New England
Award Amount: $1000 - $5,000
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents in New England, aged 16+, pursuing a professional aviation career.
Application Period: January to March annually.
Award Notification: June each year
Application Requirements: Completed form, personal essay, two recommendations, transcripts, proof of citizenship/residency, flight training plan.
Video From : https://www.facebook.com/AeroClubOfNewEngland
🎯 Scholarship Overview
The Aero Club of New England Scholarship Program is designed to support aspiring aviation professionals across a wide spectrum of career paths. Whether you’re training to become a pilot, aircraft mechanic, or aviation manager, ACONE offers targeted scholarships to help you reach your goals.
With awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, the program includes over a dozen named scholarships, each honoring leaders in aviation history. These scholarships are open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents living in New England and cover primary flight training, instrument and advanced certifications, aviation maintenance, and management education.
Since its inception, ACONE’s scholarship initiative has awarded over $700,000 to nearly 450 recipients, making a lasting impact on aviation education and workforce development throughout the region.
🎓 Full List of ACONE Scholarships
✈️ Primary Training Scholarships
Hampson Family Scholarship for Women – $5,000
Aero Club of New England Board of Directors Scholarship – $4,500
Honored Member Scholarship (In Honor of David Graham) – $3,000
The Liberty Bell Scholarship – $2,000
The Andrew Channing Cabot Memorial Scholarship – $2,000
The Bauer-Bisgeier Memorial Scholarship – $2,000
The Donald Godfrey Memorial Scholarship – $1,500
The Michael T. Hadik Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
🛫 Instrument Training Scholarships
The Dr. Gary P. Kearney Scholarship – $2,500
The Dean Edmonds Scholarship – $2,500
The Crocker Snow Memorial Scholarship – $1,500
The Joseph Passafiume Memorial Scholarship – $1,500
✈️ Advanced Training Scholarships
The Anne Bridge Baddour Scholarship – $3,500
The Ann Wood-Kelly Memorial Scholarship – $2,500
The Lockhart Smith Memorial Scholarship – $3,000
The David Frawley Memorial Scholarship – $2,500
The John Garabedian Scholarship – $3,000
🔧 Aeronautics & Aircraft Maintenance Scholarships
John T. Griffin, Sr. Memorial Scholarship – $3,000
The Kitty Hawk Maintenance Scholarship – $5,000
The Fred Cormier Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
📊 Aviation Management Scholarship
The David W. Graham Scholarship – $2,500
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Aero Club of New England Board of Directors Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Residency: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in one of the six New England states.
Age: At least 16 years old.
Career Intent: Demonstrate a clear intention to pursue a professional aviation career.
Flight Training: Plan to undertake training at a New England-based flight school.
Financial Need: Provide evidence of financial need.
Medical Certificate: Hold a current FAA Medical Certificate.
Airman Certificate: Possess a current Airman Certificate (except for initial primary flight training applicants).
Flight Time: Have accumulated total flight time of 100 hours, except for primary training applicants who must have at least 10 hours plus solo.
Biennial Flight Review: Have a current Biennial Flight Review (except for initial primary flight training applicants).
📝 Application Process
Applying for an Aero Club of New England Scholarship is a structured, competitive process designed to identify passionate, goal-driven individuals pursuing careers in aviation. The process is largely the same across all scholarship categories—flight training, maintenance, and management—though specific requirements may vary slightly depending on the award.
📅 Application Timeline
Applications Open: January
Submission Deadline: March
Committee Review: April
Interviews Conducted: May
Recipients Notified: June
📄 Required Materials
Completed application form (available at acone.org )
Personal essay outlining your career goals, background, and financial need
Two letters of recommendation
Academic transcripts or training records
Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
Documentation of training program enrollment or plan (flight school, A&P program, or management degree)
Candidates must demonstrate financial need, commitment to an aviation career, and residency in a New England state. Finalists are invited to an interview with the scholarship committee before awards are announced.
Each scholarship has unique eligibility requirements—such as minimum flight hours or FAA certifications—so applicants should carefully review the criteria for each award listed at acone.org/scholarships .
🎓 Impact and Opportunities
The Aero Club of New England’s scholarship program has a far-reaching impact on the aviation industry, opening doors for individuals from all backgrounds to pursue meaningful careers in aviation. Whether recipients are working toward their first solo flight, earning advanced ratings, becoming licensed aircraft technicians, or stepping into aviation management, ACONE scholarships provide both financial support and professional recognition.
Key Benefits:
Reduced Financial Barriers for training and certification
Access to Mentorship and a network of seasoned aviation professionals
Recognition from One of the Nation’s Oldest Aviation Organizations
Improved Career Prospects in both flight and non-flight aviation roles
Many past recipients have gone on to become commercial pilots, flight instructors, maintenance specialists, and aviation executives—proof that ACONE’s commitment to education and opportunity has a lasting effect on the industry.
By investing in passionate individuals, ACONE is not just funding careers—it’s helping shape the future of aviation across the Northeast and beyond.
Who is eligible for the Aero Club of New England Scholarships?
U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 16+ who live in a New England state and are pursuing a career in aviation. Applicants for pilot training must plan to train at a New England flight school.
How much is the scholarship worth?
The Board of Directors Scholarship provides up to $4,500 for primary flight training.
What types of aviation careers does ACONE support?
In addition to pilot training, ACONE also offers scholarships for Aviation Maintenance Technology and Aviation Management students.
Can I apply if I’m already a student pilot?
Yes. If you’ve already soloed or begun training, you are still eligible. However, applicants must meet specific flight hour and certificate criteria.
Do I need a medical certificate to apply?
Yes, applicants for pilot training must hold a valid FAA medical certificate at the time of application.
Is financial need considered?
Yes, applicants are expected to demonstrate financial need as part of the selection process.
When is the application period?
Applications are typically open from January to March, with awards announced in June.
How do I apply for maintenance or management scholarships?
Application requirements for maintenance and management tracks are similar but may vary slightly. Visit acone.org for specific forms and deadlines.
Can I use the scholarship at any flight school?
For pilot training, your selected school must be located in one of the New England states.
Are there interviews as part of the application process?
Yes, selected applicants are interviewed in the spring prior to final award decisions.
🔗 Apply Now
Embark on your aviation journey with the support of an Aero Club of New England Scholarship. Visit acone.org to download the application and learn more about this opportunity to soar into your future.
Note: This blog post is part of a series highlighting aviation scholarships. Stay tuned for our upcoming summary post that will showcase all featured scholarships.
Pilots HQ Staff
The Pilots HQ Staff is a team of aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals dedicated to supporting aviators at every stage of their journey. From sharing expert gear recommendations to highlighting career resources and aviation scholarships, our mission is to keep the skies accessible, informed, and inspired.
