The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Flight Training Scholarship: Eligibility and Application Guide

The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation encourages and supports young men and women who wish to pursue aviation careers, as professional pilots. In honor of LeRoy W. Homer Jr., the First Officer on Flight 93, which tragically crashed in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, the foundation provides flight instruction scholarships to potential students, in order to obtain private pilot certification. The mission of The Foundation is to continue LeRoy’s love of flight by encouraging young men and women who wish to pursue aviation careers as professional pilots.

Who Was LeRoy W. Homer Jr.?

LeRoy Homer was the First Officer on Flight 93, which was hijacked and crashed in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. foundation was established to continue LeRoy’s love of flight by encouraging young men and women who wish to pursue aviation careers as professional pilots.

Scholarship Overview

The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Flight Training Scholarship is designed to assist young people with obtaining a private pilot’s license. If you’re a young adult passionate about becoming a pilot, you are encouraged to apply.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Flight Training Scholarship, applicants must meet several basic requirements:

Age: Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 23. To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be sixteen as of the deadline (January 31st.) If you are not sixteen by the deadline, you will need to apply the following year.
Citizenship: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.
Legal Record: Applicants must never have been charged or convicted of any misdemeanors or felonies.
Language Proficiency: Applicants must be fluent and literate in English.
Medical Certificate: Applicants must be able to attain an FAA third-class medical certificate. Note that this certificate will only be requested once an individual has been selected for a scholarship and does not need to be included with the initial application.
Transportation and Time: Applicants must have dependable transportation and sufficient time available to complete training at the nearest Cessna Pilot Training Center.
Private Pilot Written Ground School: Applicant must have completed or commit to complete a Private Pilot Written Ground School with authorization to take the written exam BEFORE an award will be granted. (Applicant will need the written passed or authorization to take the exam completed prior to May 15, 2025 to be eligible to receive an award.
Training Availability: Applicant must be available for training May 2025 through December 2025 with limited absences. (A two week family vacation can be accommodated.

Additional Considerations for Eligibility

Current Pilot Training: If you are already studying to become a private pilot on your own, and not enrolled in a college, university aviation program, you are eligible for this scholarship. The scholarship does not provide loans for any college or university tuition, even if you are in an aviation program.
Existing Pilot License: If you have already obtained your private pilot license, you are not eligible to apply. This scholarship applies only to obtaining a private pilot license and does not apply to instrument ratings or any other aspect of flight training.

Application Process

Application Period

The Scholarship Application window opens each year October 31st to the following January 31st. Based on previous application cycles, this scholarship is expected to reopen in December 2026.

How to Apply

Application must be filled out online at www.leroywhomerjr.org. Please do not send letters requesting applications.

Required Documents and Information

While a FAA Medical Certificate or IACRA Login is not required at the time of application, to accept a flight training scholarship award you will be required to get an FAA Medical Certificate and your flight instructor will initiate your entry into the FAA IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) system as required for flight training.

When entering your extracurricular activities, summarize your involvements beyond the classroom. Please include leadership roles and community service/volunteer involvement as well as sports participation and other organizations you are involved with. Same advice for entering your honors and awards:We would like to learn about achievements you have earned.

Transcripts: An unofficial transcript will be accepted with your application.
Letters of Reference: Two letters of reference are required for your application to be scored. If you have three, please send only the best two letters. It is the responsibility of The Applicant to track and ensure this is complete by deadline.
Essays: There are three essay prompts where the foundation wishes to learn most why you wish to become a pilot and what inspired you to reach for the sky. The foundation wants to hear your original thoughts. The foundation is NOT interested in synthetic or AI/ChatGPT generated content. If flagged as unoriginal essays your answer to the prompt will likely not be considered. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ChatGPT or similar technology to author essay answers is strongly discouraged and may impact your application score.

Important Considerations During the Application Process

Completeness: Ensure all required information is received on time.
Originality: Provide original thoughts in your essays. Avoid using synthetic or AI-generated content, as it may negatively impact your application score.
References: Ensure that two letters of reference are on file for your application to be scored.
Extracurricular Activities: Summarize your involvements beyond the classroom, including leadership roles, community service, sports participation, and other organizations.
Honors and Awards: Share achievements you have earned.

Training Timeline

This scholarship awards each spring in May. The intent of the scholarship is to deliver training from May to December each year when weather conditions are best and students are finished with school/academic obligations and available to fly most days. Reasonable absences for a family vacation or camp/internship/leadership experience of two weeks can be accommodated. Multiple or longer absences may render and applicant ineligible due to limited availability. Training will be provided at an approved flight school in the local vicinity of the scholarship recipient.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

While the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Scholarship is a significant opportunity, aspiring pilots should also consider other avenues for financial aid:

AOPA Scholarship Program: The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) offers an annual scholarship program funded by the AOPA Foundation and its donors. Any student pilot who has not completed their initial Private Pilot rating is qualified to apply.
Women in Corporate Aviation Scholarships: Women in Corporate Aviation offers more than $100,000 in scholarships. Scholarships are open to men and women in corporate aviation.
Flight Path Learning Center and Museum at LAX: Annual scholarship program information and applications for the Clay Lacy Scholarship ($5000) and the Charles “Pete” Conrad, Jr., Scholarship ($2000) are available through the Flight Path Learning Center and Museum at LAX.
Southern California Opportunities: Must live in Southern California. Click on the link, scroll down, find the scholarship information, and apply.

Contact Information

For any questions regarding this scholarship application, please contact The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation directly through their website. Questions or comments on this scholarship profile? Create your Scholarships360 account to confirm your eligibility for the The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Flight Training Scholarship.

Reapplying

If you applied for the scholarship and were not a recipient, you are encouraged to reapply. Because the foundation receives so very many worthy applications and can only award a limited number of recipients. Applicants are encouraged to reapply, making sure all required information is received on time. Please revisit your application and ensure it was submitted/completed.

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