Scholarships | Funding from Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame

GIVING WINGS TO DREAMS

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Scholarship Program

Next submission period opens in October 2025 for 2026 Awards

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame and our Sponsor Partners are committed to doing our respective parts to encourage individuals to follow their personal dreams of flight. We award scholarships annually during the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Banquet to individuals who are pursuing a career in the aviation industry, or in furtherance of personal aviation-related goals and objectives. There may come a time when one of our scholarship recipients today goes on to make a significant contribution to aviation in Minnesota, and eventually becomes one of our honored inductees in the future. Scholarship values range from $1,000 to $5,000.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Scholarship

The Hinz Family Red Tail Scholarship

The Hinz Family sponsors this scholarship in commemoration and remembrance of Donald E. Hinz, 2007 Hall of Fame Inductee, who lost his life as a re-enactor of the Tuskegee Airmen missions in WWII. Don was piloting a P-51C Mustang painted in the Tuskegee squadron colors with the heralded red tail, at the Red Wing, Minnesota Airshow in 2004. The aircraft suffered an engine failure, which resulted in a crash landing from which Don did not survive. The Don Hinz family has granted this scholarship to honor Don’s life as a naval aviator, airline pilot and businessman, and as a way to encourage young persons entering the aviation field to learn, not only about airplanes, but about aviation history as well.

The Brig Gen George Schulstad Scholarship

A 2017 Hall of Fame Inductee, Brig. General Schulstad holds a master’s degree from The George Washington University. General Schulstad enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 and spent 23 years in service to his country, logging over 6200 hours flying numerous USAF aircraft, everything from an AT-6, to an F-104. George also flew the F-8 Crusader during combat operations in Vietnam through an exchange program with the U.S. Navy. George was a commander of two Fighter Squadrons and two Fighter Wings. The General is proud to have a scholarship offered in his name and one of his favorite sayings is “the youth are our future.”

“Wings of Success” The Chuck & Jody Bartlett Aviation Scholarship

For those pursuing an aviation career success means setting concrete goals and completing what you set out to do. Achieving success requires perseverance, persistence and a firm commitment to doing your best in everything you do. It means not giving up, and in believing that you can, and will, achieve your goals. And ultimately, success means giving back in service and with gratitude for all that life has given you along your journey"

“Fellowship of Aviation” The Randy Sohn Family Memorial Scholarship

2023 Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame inductee Randall “Randy” Lee Sohn had a gift for bringing people together. Whether discussing airplanes, tractors or antique cars, what was most important to Randy was enjoying the fellowship of friends, old and new. Along with a well-earned reputation as a “Pilot’s Pilot” Randy was outgoing and generous, and freely shared his extensive knowledge of airplanes and aviation in its many and varied forms with others in the spirit of fellowship.

The Stevan R. Petrich Memorial Aviation Scholarship Award

Established to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Duluth Minnesota native Stevan R. Petrich. A 2024 Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame inductee, Steve’s life-long passion for aviation serves as an inspiration to countless others to follow their own personal dreams of flight in its many and varied forms. From an early age Steve’s dedication to aviation led him to a distinguished career as a commercial airline pilot and successful entrepreneur. Known for his generosity and mentorship, Steve left a lasting and significant impact on the Minnesota aviation community, and it is through this scholarship that Steve’s mission continues in support of aspiring students of aviation in their educational pursuits. Preference given, but not limited to, applicants from St. Louis County, Minnesota

AirCorps Aviation Scholarship

Funded by AirCorps Aviation, in Bemidji, MN. AirCorps Aviation is an award-winning WWII aircraft restoration shop that also supports the aerospace industry through part manufacturing, part sales, and historic document preservation. This scholarship is awarded to individuals pursuing programs in aviation manufacturing, restoration, maintenance or flight with special consideration for someone intending to pursue a career that involves legacy aircraft.

AWARD CRITERIA

The purpose of the scholarships is to provide funding assistance to aspiring Minnesota students and professionals who are looking to start or continue their training and/or education in the aviation industry. Applicants must be residents of Minnesota, or who have permanent Minnesota-based connections while attending academic programs offered by accredited institutions in any state with Minnesota tuition reciprocity. Areas of interest may include: attaining the private pilot certificate and/or advanced pilot ratings, college-level and/or advanced degrees in aviation related subjects such as aerospace education, aeronautical engineering, professional pilot, aircraft maintenance, flight dispatcher, air traffic control, and aviation management.

Applicants will be assessed on their academic achievements, involvement in extra-curricular activities, and their essay question responses. Selection of scholarship recipients will be based on the overall quality of the application, giving weight to the essay, stated goals and career intentions of the applicant. Those wishing to use the funds for initial or advanced flight training must include in their essay intent to pursue a pathway that leads to the successful accomplishment of their aviation-related goals. Scholarship award funds will be made payable to the school or organization in whose program the applicant is currently enrolled.

PLEASE NOTE: All applications received by the closing date are reviewed and evaluated by the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame scholarship committee whose decision and selection of scholarship recipients is final and not subject to review or negotiation.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame is committed to fostering an unbiased environment which is open to all individuals who seek educational opportunities available through our scholarship program without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, socioeconomic background, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our selection process is designed to ensure that all applicants are evaluated solely on merit, potential for success and adherence to the eligibility criteria outlined in the program. The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame is dedicated to upholding this policy through fair and impartial processes wherein every individual has an opportunity to successfully achieve their full potential.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Cover Letter

Please provide the following information on a separate sheet of 8.5”x11” paper

Your full name.
Your current address.
Your email address.
Your telephone number.
The school or college that you are currently attending and the grade level.
Indicate any aviation related classes or flight training taken to date.
The name, address and student account ID number to which scholarship award funds should be directed in the event that an applicant is declared an award winner.

2. Essay

On a second separate sheet of 8.5”x11” paper, an Essay of 500 words or less on the following Topic: Why do you desire to pursue aviation related interests or a career in aviation, and how do you intend to achieve your aviation goals and aspirations? Be specific as to the field of study in which you are currently enrolled or wish to pursue, and include an outline of the training or schooling that the scholarship will be used for. Essentially, tell us why you should have this scholarship and what you would do with it? What are your aviation-related goals and aspirations?

3. Letters of Recommendation

Two (2) Letters of Recommendation.

4. Submission

All applications should be e-mailed to Michelle Thiem, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee: scholarships@mahof.org

Please note:

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 2025 TO BE CONSIDERED. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE TO THIS POLICY. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE RETURNED AND ARE CONSIDERED THE PROPERTY OF THE MINNESOTA AVIATION HALL OF FAME. WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MARCH 1ST, 2025. SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE MAHOF INDUCTION BANQUET IN APRIL UNLESS OTHERWISE RESCHEDULED. WINNERS MUST BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE THEIR SCHOLARSHIP UNLESS EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST THAT WOULD PRECLUDE THEIR ATTENDANCE.

Additional Scholarships

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame has put together a list of additional scholarships. The downloadable PDF document below contains a list of current Aviation related scholarships located in Minnesota, and North Dakota as well as general scholarships.

Please Note: The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the separate organizations on this list. They are simply providing a general list of aviation-related scholarships with their respective application linked below for those who wish to apply.

PDF LIST OF EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS