The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame is committed to doing our respective part to encourage individuals to follow their personal dreams of flight. We are pleased to announce the availability of scholarships to be awarded annually during the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Banquet. Scholarships are offered to individuals who are pursuing a career in the aviation industry, or in furtherance of personal aviation-related goals and objectives.

Funded by numerous generous and anonymous Hall of Fame donors, the MAHOF scholarship is awarded to encourage individuals to pursue their personal dreams of flight, and to explore aviation in its many and varied forms.

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.

Awarded to an aviation student in honor of Kenneth Dahlberg, 1997 Hall of Fame Inductee. From humble beginnings on a Wisconsin farm to a WWII AAF fighter pilot and “Ace” flying P-51s and P-47s, Ken truly was a member of the “Greatest Generation.” After the war Ken started a small business producing hearing aid devices, which he directed and managed as it grew and prospered into a very successful international corporation, which became known as “Miracle Ear.” Besides his love of aviation, Ken had a life-long passion for learning. The Dahlberg family hopes that recipients of this scholarship, awarded in Don’s honor, are encouraged to pursue life with an intellectual curiosity that leads them on to achieve success and a rewarding sense of accomplishment.

A 2017 Hall of Fame Inductee, Brig. General Schulstad was born in Grand Forks, ND and was raised and attended school in the Climax-Mentor, MN area. He holds a master’s degree from The George Washington University. George enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 and spent 23 years in service to his country. During that time he logged 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.”

Established and sponsored by The American Aviation Heritage Foundation, Inc. to honor the life and legacy of Faribault Minnesota native Elizabeth “Betty Wall” Strohfus, WWII WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots), and to celebrate her place in history as an aviation pioneer, patriot and veteran of the U.S. uniformed services, whose unbridled passion for aviation and joyful enthusiasm for flight continues to inspire countless Americans to explore aviation in its many and varied forms.. Betty was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in April, 2001.

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 and career intentions of the applicant. PLEASE NOTE: Those wishing to use the funds for initial or advanced flight training must include in their essay a stated intent to pursue a career pathway that leads to the 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.