Scholarships & Graduate Awards

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Scholarship applications are being accepted from 1 October to 31 January


Undergraduate Scholarships

The recipient of the scholarship will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

  • College/University Transcripts* (if you’ve attended more than one College/University, transcripts for all graduate level work from ALL schools must be provided), including all graduate work completed through the most recent Fall term. Transcripts should be uploaded as one .pdf document via your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, however, if you are offered a scholarship or graduate award you will be asked to send copies of your official transcripts* to AIAA for grade and GPA verification.**

    We do not accept high school transcripts.

  • Assessment of a 500-1,000 word essay specifying the applicant’s career objectives and an outline of the academic program required to achieve the career objectives.

  • Assessment of award or scholarship-specific writing prompt if applying for a TC or Section-sponsored award.

  • Two (2) professional letters of recommendation. These letters should be from any combination of academic or career references (advisors, supervisors, bosses, cohort leaders, etc.) and must be submitted via the online application system. Letters of recommendations may not be submitted by relatives.

  • Resume or CV highlighting any professional experiences, extracurricular activities, awards/certifications, etc.

*An official transcript is the University's certified statement of your academic record. The official paper transcript is printed on security sensitive paper and contains the University seal and signature of the University Registrar.


Graduate Awards

The recipient of the award will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

  • College/University Transcripts* (if you’ve attended more than one College/University, transcripts for all graduate level work from ALL schools must be provided), including all graduate work completed through the most recent Fall term. Transcripts should be uploaded as one .pdf document via your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, however, if you are offered a scholarship or graduate award you will be asked to send copies of your official transcripts* to AIAA for grade and GPA verification. **Please do not submit undergraduate transcripts if applying for a graduate award.

  • Assessment of a 500-1,000 word typewritten essay, specifying the applicant’s career objectives and an outline of the academic program required to achieve the career objectives

  • Assessment of award or scholarship-specific writing prompt if applying for a TC or Section-sponsored award.

  • A research description

    • Must be 1-3 pages, double-spaced
    • Descriptions over 3 pages will not be accepted
    • Should clearly define any research hypotheses, approach, objectives and benefits of research
    • The applicant should be able to succinctly describe their research and research objectives
  • Two (2) professional letters of recommendation. These letters should be from any combination of academic or career references (advisors, supervisors, bosses, cohort leaders, etc.) and must be submitted via the online application system. Letters of recommendations may not be submitted by relatives.
  • Resume or CV highlighting any professional experiences, extracurricular activities, awards/certifications, etc.

*An official transcript is the University's certified statement of your academic record. The official paper transcript is printed on security sensitive paper and contains the University seal and signature of the University Registrar.

    **How does AIAA calculate cumulative G.P.A.? Cumulative G.P.A. is calculated using the following formula:

    (# of credit hours from previous college X GPA at previous college) + (# of credit hours completed so far at current college X GPA at current college) = SUM

    THEN

    SUM divided by total credit hours from both colleges = combined G.P.A.

Judging:

  • Judging for AIAA Foundation-sponsored awards and scholarships is done by the Scholarship Selection Subcommittee of the Student Activities Committee.
  • Judging for Section or Technical Committee-sponsored awards and scholarships is done by sponsoring Technical Committees or Sections.
  • All decisions made by the scholarship selection committee are final.
  • If a selection committee determines there is not a qualified applicant for a particular year, the scholarship will not be awarded.
  • Plagiarism – any essay responses or collateral materials should be the original work of the applicant. Any portion of an application that is found to be plagiarized will disqualify the application from any further review.

Deadline:

  • Online applications must be submitted by 31 January 11:59PM EST
  • Letters of recommendation are due by 2359 hrs EST, 14 February
  • In order for an application to be considered complete, all materials must be submitted by the deadline.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to make exceptions to these rules.