Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship Guide
✈️ Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship: Empowering Tomorrow’s Aviators
The Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship is a beacon of hope for young aspiring pilots, offering comprehensive support to help them achieve their aviation dreams. This scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also embodies the spirit and passion of Matthew Shope, a dedicated aviator whose legacy continues to inspire.
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The Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship supports young aspiring pilots aged 16–21.
Covers up to 50 hours of aircraft rental and 60 hours of instruction.
Includes FAA exam fees, online ground school, and a $150 Pilotshq.com gift card.
Open to U.S. citizens enrolled in high school, trade school, or college.
Applications require an essay, transcripts, medical certificate, and flight school details.
Funded in part through Pilotshq.com’s affiliate program and gift card.
Apply or learn more at flyhighmps.org
🕊️ Honoring the Legacy of Matthew Shope
The Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life and passion of a remarkable young aviator, Matthew Shope. Born in Long Beach, California, Matthew had a deep-rooted love for aviation from an early age. He soloed in a glider at just 15 and earned his single-engine pilot’s license at 16—well before most teenagers even drive a car.
Matthew was not only a Certified Flight Instructor but also an active Civil Air Patrol member. His dedication, maturity, and leadership were apparent to everyone who knew him. Tragically, his life was cut short at the age of 18 in a plane crash while on a cross-country solo flight.
To ensure Matthew’s legacy lives on, his family and community launched the Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship, which supports young people with the same passion for flight.
🎯 Mission and Purpose of the Scholarship
The core mission of the scholarship is to eliminate financial barriers for youth ages 16–21 who are committed to pursuing private pilot certification. Recognizing that flight training can be prohibitively expensive, this scholarship covers nearly all training-related costs.
The program doesn’t just offer money — it provides opportunity, structure, and a powerful message: that with support, dreams of flying are achievable.
What the Scholarship Covers
Up to 50 hours of aircraft rental for training
Up to 60 hours of certified flight instruction
FAA Written Exam and Check-Ride Fees
Online Ground School access via FlightInsight
A $150 Gift Voucher from Pilotshq.com for gear and books
By including items like Pilotshq.com gift cards, the program ensures recipients are fully equipped with professional-grade headsets, logbooks, charts, and other tools necessary for success.
✅ Who is Eligible?
To maintain accessibility while ensuring commitment, the scholarship has clear eligibility guidelines:
Age Requirement: 16–21 years old
Residency: Must be a U.S. citizen
Education: Currently enrolled in high school, trade school, or full-time college/graduate program
Medical: Must obtain a valid FAA 3rd Class Medical Certificate
Flight School: Applicants must identify a Part 61 or Part 141 certified flight training program
In addition to meeting these requirements, applicants must submit:
A compelling personal essay
Two letters of recommendation
Academic transcripts
Flight school cost documentation
✍️ Application Process
he application window typically opens during fall or early winter. Here’s a step-by-step overview:
Download and Review the Application Packet from the official website.
Prepare your Essay: Focus on your aviation goals, challenges you’ve faced, and how the scholarship will help.
Identify Your Flight School and Instructor: Include their hourly rates and contact information.
Submit Documentation: Transcripts, recommendations, and medical certificate.
Application Review: A committee evaluates candidates based on merit, passion for aviation, and readiness to train.
Visit flyhighmps.org for the current deadline and application form.
Who can apply for the Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship?
U.S. citizens aged 16–21 who are enrolled in high school, trade school, or full-time college programs and are pursuing private pilot certification.
What expenses does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship covers aircraft rental, flight instruction, FAA written and check-ride fees, online ground school access, and a $150 voucher for training materials from Pilotshq.com.
How do I apply for the scholarship?
Applications are available through the official website, flyhighmps.org . Applicants must submit an essay, references, transcripts, and flight school details.
Do I need a medical certificate to qualify?
Yes, applicants must obtain an FAA 3rd Class Medical Certificate within 30 days of starting flight training.
Can I choose any flight school?
Yes, as long as the school is a certified Part 61 or Part 141 training facility and can provide aircraft and instruction within scholarship budget guidelines.
What if I’ve already started flight training?
Previous hours must be disclosed in the application. Eligibility may be affected based on how recently and how many hours you’ve already completed.
🎁 How Pilotshq.com Supports the Scholarship
As part of our mission to give back to the aviation community, Pilotshq.com partners with the Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship to provide gift vouchers to every scholarship recipient.
Recipients use these vouchers to buy:
Ground school books
E6B flight computers
Headsets
Flight bags
Logbooks and checklists
Through our affiliate marketing program, the scholarship also earns $300–$400 per month in additional funding. Supporters who shop through the affiliate link directly contribute to the fund — making this a self-sustaining model for growth.
Want to help fund a student pilot’s dreams? Shop through their affiliate link, or use coupon "FLYHIGHMPS", and a portion of your purchase goes to the scholarship!
📢 Why This Scholarship Stands Out
Unlike many aviation scholarships that offer a flat stipend, the Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship provides structured training support tailored to each student. Here’s what makes it unique:
Comprehensive Coverage: From rental to instruction, recipients avoid the piecemeal stress of covering individual costs.
Resource Integration: Partnerships with Pilotshq.com and FlightInsight ensure training is not just possible, but optimized.
Direct Community Impact: Every affiliate sale supports a new generation of pilots.
🧭 Final Thoughts
The Matthew Shope Memorial Scholarship is more than just financial aid — it’s a transformative opportunity. Backed by a legacy of passion and purpose, and supported by aviation partners like Pilotshq.com, this scholarship empowers future aviators to rise above financial obstacles and fly high.
Whether you’re an aspiring pilot or someone looking to give back to aviation, this program is a model for how the industry can support its next generation.
Ready to apply or support? Visit flyhighmps.org to learn more.
Interested in joining the affiliate program? Contact us today .
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.
