ISA+21 Scholarships Guide for Future Women Airline Pilots

The International Society of Women Airline Pilots (ISA+21) offers scholarships to support women pursuing careers as airline pilots. Since 1988, ISA+21 has awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships, including type ratings, financial assistance, and memorial scholarships.

ISA+21 offers two prestigious Type Rating Scholarships each year, each valued at $10,000, for a B737 or A320 type rating. These scholarships provide critical training for women ready to take the next step toward an aviation career, in partnership with Flight Training International in Miami, Dallas, or Denver.

Prerequisite Information

Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Hold an ATP (or ICAO equivalent) license.

• Have a minimum of 2500 hours total flight time.

• Have at least 500 multi-engine turbine hours included in total time.

• Hold a current first-class medical certificate.

• Be in pursuit of a career as an airline pilot.

Conditions:

• Only one Type Rating Scholarship is allowed in a lifetime.

• Applicants may apply as many times as they wish.

• Winners have 18 months to complete training.

• Funds are paid directly to the approved flight school

• Winners are responsible for travel, housing, and personal expenses.

• Open to female applicants, as indicated on their pilot certificate

This scholarship presents an exceptional opportunity for experienced female pilots to acquire critical type rating credentials and advance confidently toward a seat in the airline cockpit.

Conditions:

• Only one Francesca Norris Memorial Scholarship Award is allowed in a lifetime.

• Applicants may apply for both the FNMS & ISA+21 Financial Scholarship in a given year.

• Applicants may apply as many times as they wish

• Training will be conducted at the US Aviation Academy or an approved flight school.

• Funds are paid directly to the approved training organization

• Winners are responsible for travel, housing, and personal expenses

• Open to female applicants, as indicated on their pilot certificate

This scholarship ensures Francesca’s legacy lives on by helping women enter the flight instruction field—building hours, experience, and confidence for airline careers.

The International Conference Scholarship by ISA+21 provides a $5,000 award every two years to a female pilot from the region hosting the non-U.S. ISA+21 conference. The 2025 event will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland, offering aspiring airline pilots in that area a valuable opportunity to advance their training.

Prerequisite Information

Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in an advanced flight training program; or

• Have completed ab-initio flight training

• In pursuit of a career as an airline pilot

• Hold a current first class aviation medical certificate

• Live in the region where the Non-US conference is being held

• The 2025 ISA+21 Conference will be held in Reykjavic, Iceland

Conditions

• Only one International Conference Scholarship Award is allowed in a lifetime

• Applicants may apply as many times as they wish

• Scholarship funds to be used towards an advanced flight training program

• Funds will be paid directly to the approved flight training organization

• The winner is responsible for travel, housing, and personal expenses during training

• Training must be completed within the following 12 months

• Open to female applicants, as indicated on their pilot certificate

ISA+21 awards a minimum of two Financial Scholarships of $5,000 each year to be used toward advanced flight training. These scholarships are designed to support women who are progressing toward airline pilot careers and need financial assistance to complete crucial steps like earning CFI, CFII, or MEI ratings.

Prerequisite Information

Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Currently be enrolled in an advanced flight training program; or

• Have completed ab-initio flight training

• Must hold an FAA Commercial Pilot License or equivalent

• In pursuit of a career as an airline pilot

• Hold a current first-class medical certificate

Conditions:

• Only one Financial Scholarship Award is allowed in a lifetime

• Applicants may apply as many times as they wish

• Scholarship funds must be used for advanced flight ratings such as CFI, CFII, and MEI.

• Funds will only be paid directly to the approved flight training organization.

• The winner is responsible for covering their own travel, housing, and personal expenses during training.

• Training must be completed within the following 12 months

• Open to female applicants, as indicated on their pilot certificate

These financial scholarships offer a significant boost to women preparing for careers in commercial aviation. ISA+21 continues to invest in the futures of female aviators with a commitment to both excellence and equity.

• Deadline: November 1st annually (August 1st for International Conference Scholarship)

• Submission: Email required documents to scholarship@isa21.org or fill out the form at: https://isa21.org/apply/

• Requirements:

  • Completed application form

  • Essay

  • Resume

  • Pilot and medical certificates

  • Logbook pages

  • Letters of recommendation

  • Transcripts

  
  
  
  For more information and to apply, please visit the ISA+21 Scholarship Application Page.

Maria’s story exemplifies the transformative impact of ISA+21’s support, demonstrating how the organization’s scholarships can help women from diverse backgrounds achieve their dreams in aviation.

ISA+21’s scholarships programs play a crucial role in supporting women pursuing careers as airline pilots. By providing financial assistance and fostering a supportive community, ISA+21 helps aspiring female pilots overcome barriers and achieve their professional goals.