USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Masters PhD the USA

AIAA Foundation Scholarship 2027 - Aerospace

Deadline January 31, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time 132 days left · Hosted by AIAA Foundation · Published

The AIAA Foundation Scholarship Program helps college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students pay for aerospace-focused study when they hold active AIAA Student Membership. Each year the foundation issues roughly thirty general undergraduate awards worth $2,000 to $2,500, plus named scholarships up to $10,000 for avionics, astronautics, aeronautics, and related fields. You may list two award preferences on one application. For the 2027 cycle, expect the portal to open October 15, 2026, close January 31, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET, and require two online recommendation letters by February 13, 2027. Winners are chosen on merit, with some funds also weighing financial need.

Named and general awards
$2K-$10K
Undergrad and graduate
Sophomore+
Application deadline ET
Jan 31, 2027
US accredited colleges
AIAA Student Member
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the AIAA Foundation Scholarship Program?

The AIAA Foundation Scholarship Program is how the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics invests in the next generation of aerospace engineers, researchers, and industry leaders. Through the foundation, AIAA distributes dozens of awards annually to Student Members enrolled at accredited US colleges and universities, with general undergraduate scholarships in the $2,000 to $2,500 range and specialty funds that climb to five figures for avionics, astronautics, and aeronautics tracks.

If you are a sophomore, junior, or senior with coursework pointing toward aerospace, the program gives you a single portal to compete for multiple named funds at once. Graduate students can pursue separate awards such as the Abe M. Zarem Distinguished Achievement Award when their research aligns with aeronautics or astronautics. The rhythm is predictable: applications open every October 15, close January 31, and depend on two online recommendation letters by mid-February.

Winners are expected to stay involved with AIAA as they progress, and many recipients renew general scholarships until graduation when they maintain eligibility. The process is competitive, but the instructions are straightforward: join as a Student Member, upload complete transcripts, write a focused career essay, and give your references enough time to meet the February deadline.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 6
  • ✓
    Active AIAA Student Member
    You must be a current AIAA Student Member when you apply. Join through aiaa.org before starting the online portal if your membership is not already active.
  • ✓
    Undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior
    General undergraduate scholarships target college sophomores, juniors, and seniors in science or engineering programs tied to aerospace careers. High school seniors use separate K-12 programs listed on aiaa.org.
  • ✓
    Graduate students in eligible programs
    Graduate awards such as the Abe M. Zarem Distinguished Achievement Award serve master's and doctoral students in aeronautics or astronautics. Each named fund posts its own class-level rules on the eligibility page.
  • ✓
    Accredited US college or university
    You must attend an accredited US institution. One digital avionics award serves non-US students at non-US universities, but the bulk of AIAA Foundation funds pay tuition at domestic schools.
  • ✓
    Academic interest matching the award
    Pick primary and secondary awards that match your coursework and career goals. AIAA will not consider you for a specialty fund if your transcript and essay show no related aerospace focus.
  • ✓
    Named awards with extra GPA or region rules
    Special funds may require minimum GPAs, Rocky Mountain Section residency, or underrepresented-background encouragement. Read the eligibility table for Mary W. Jackson, Muellner, Thompson, and section scholarships before you rank them first.
What you get

Benefits

  • General AIAA Foundation scholarship $2,000-$2,500
  • Named undergraduate funds Up to $10,000 (varies by award)
  • Renewal General awards may renew annually until graduation
  • Number of general awards About 30 per cycle
  • Tuition and fees Paid toward accredited US study
  • Room and board or stipend cash Not a universal benefit of every fund
  • Abe M. Zarem Graduate Award Two recipients (aeronautics and astronautics)
  • Other graduate funds Varies by named award on the portal
  • Application window (Zarem example) January 2 - May 3, 2026 for some cycles; check portal
  • Membership requirement AIAA Student Member
  • Living expenses guarantee Not covered unless award terms say so
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 7
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    Online AIAA Foundation application
    Submit the unified application through the portal linked from aiaa.org/get-involved/university-students/undergraduate-scholarships-graduate-awards/. List a primary and optional secondary award preference.
  • ✓
    College transcripts as one PDF
    Upload unofficial transcripts from every college or university attended, including all coursework through the most recent fall term. High school transcripts are not accepted.
  • ✓
    500-1,000 word career essay
    Explain your aerospace career objectives and the academic plan that supports them. Specialty awards may add their own short writing prompts.
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    Resume or CV
    Summarize internships, research, competitions, leadership roles, certifications, and extracurricular work that show preparation for the aerospace industry.
  • ✓
    Two professional recommendations
    Ask academic or workplace references who are not relatives. They must upload letters through the online system by February 13, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
  • ✓
    Official transcripts after selection
    If you receive an offer, AIAA may request official transcripts to verify grades and cumulative GPA before funds release.
  • ✓
    AIAA Student Membership confirmation
    Keep membership current through review. Missing membership is a common reason incomplete files are rejected.
Step by step

How to apply

Verify you are a sophomore, junior, senior, or eligible graduate student in an aerospace-related program. Match your coursework to the primary and secondary awards you will request.
Create or renew Student Membership at aiaa.org so your status is active before reviewers open your file.
When the 2027 cycle opens around October 15, 2026 at noon ET, start the online form early so essays and transcript uploads are not rushed.
Combine all college transcripts into one PDF, draft the 500-1,000 word career essay, and attach a current resume highlighting aerospace experience.
Enter reference contact information immediately so they can submit letters before the February 13, 2027 deadline. AIAA does not grant late exceptions.
File the application by 11:59 p.m. ET on January 31, 2027. Track reference status in the portal until both letters arrive.
If selected, send official transcripts or other proof when AIAA asks so summer disbursement can reach your school before the next term.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
January 31, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
132 days left
Oct 15, 2026
Application portal opens at 12:00 p.m. ET for undergraduate and many graduate funds.
Oct 2026 - Jan 2027
Draft essays, compile transcripts, and secure AIAA Student Membership.
Jan 31, 2027
Online applications due by 11:59 p.m. ET.
Feb 13, 2027
Two recommendation letters due through the portal.
Spring 2027
AIAA reviews complete files and verifies GPAs for finalists.
Summer 2027
Award notifications and disbursements toward the upcoming academic term.
Questions

FAQ

What is the AIAA Foundation Scholarship Program?

It is the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation portfolio of merit scholarships and graduate awards for Student Members studying aerospace-related fields. General undergraduate scholarships pay $2,000 to $2,500 and may renew, while named funds reach higher amounts for avionics, astronautics, aeronautics, and regional sections.

When is the AIAA Foundation Scholarship deadline for 2027?

AIAA follows an annual window from October 15 through January 31. For the 2027 award year, plan to submit by January 31, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET and ensure references upload letters by February 13, 2027. Confirm exact dates on aiaa.org when the portal goes live.

Do I need to be an AIAA member to apply?

Yes. Applicants must hold current AIAA Student Membership. Membership is separate from the scholarship fee and must stay active while your application is reviewed.

How much is an AIAA Foundation undergraduate scholarship?

The standard undergraduate awards are $2,000 to $2,500 each, with about thirty recipients per cycle. Named scholarships such as the Mary W. Jackson or Muellner funds can reach $5,000 to $10,000 when you meet specialty criteria.

Can freshmen apply for AIAA Foundation scholarships?

General undergraduate scholarships are limited to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. First-year college students should explore AIAA K-12 and incoming-student programs linked from the same scholarships hub.

How many AIAA scholarships can I apply for at once?

You submit one application but may rank a primary award and a secondary award preference. Choose two funds that genuinely match your major and career plan so reviewers see consistent aerospace focus.

Are AIAA Foundation scholarships need-based or merit-based?

Selection is primarily merit-based using transcripts, essays, recommendations, and resume quality. Some funds also ask financial need questions, and those responses remain confidential within the need-based review process.

Can international students receive AIAA Foundation scholarships?

Most awards require study at accredited US institutions and AIAA Student Membership. One digital avionics scholarship specifically supports non-US students at non-US universities; all other funds target domestic enrollment.

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Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.

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