GE Aerospace-Reagan Workforce Readiness Scholarship

The GE Aerospace-Reagan Workforce Readiness Scholarship supports students pursuing practical, industry-aligned education pathways that lead to high-demand careers in aerospace, technology, and advanced manufacturing. This program will annually award numerous scholarships of up to $20,000 each to high school seniors planning to enroll in eligible technical or two-year degree, industry certification, or skilled-trade training programs. More

Key Dates

March 1, 2026: Application Opens

May 1, 2026, NOON CST: Application Closes

May 6, 2026, NOON CST: Deadline for Recommendations

By June 15, 2026: All Applicants Notified of Status

June 24, 2026: Deadline for Semifinalists Submit Additional Materials

By July 31, 2026: Recipients Notified

There are no exceptions to application deadlines and extensions will not be granted. Please plan accordingly for potential challenges due to weather, technology, illness, or other circumstances. Note: submission processing time can be delayed into the final hours before the deadline so please submit early and do not wait until the last minute. Request your recommendation early!

Eligible applicants who submit a complete application prior to the deadline will be notified of their status via email by June 15, 2026. Semifinalists will be instructed to submit additional materials, including an essay response and verification of additional information, by June 24, 2026. Not all applicants will be selected as semifinalists. Not all semifinalists will be selected as finalists. Not all finalists will be selected as recipients. No application feedback will be given.

Award Information

A minimum of 10 recipients will be selected annually to each receive a maximum of $20,000 over two years based on cost of attendance. Twenty-five percent of scholarships will be awarded to students from military families, pending qualified applicants.

This scholarship is designed for high school seniors pursuing workforce-readiness programs, including:

• Technical degrees

• Industry-recognized certifications

• Skilled-trade and technical training programs

• Two-year degrees aligned with aerospace needs

• Career and technical education pathways

• Other post-secondary programs that prepare students for workforce entry in engineering-adjacent or technology-driven fields

Eligibility

Candidates must:

• Be current high school seniors attending high school (including homeschool) within the United States (including any U.S. territories or commonwealths) and graduating in Spring 2026

• Plan to enroll in either a community college or a technical/trade program beginning no later than January 31, 2027 to pursue an eligible skilled technical career path, including:

  • Advanced manufacturing and machining

  • Aviation maintenance technology

  • Welding and fabrication

  • Electrical and industrial technology

  • Computer-aided design (CAD)

  • Quality control and inspection

  • Supply chain and logistics

  • Other technical fields aligned with aerospace and advanced manufacturing

• Be citizens of the United States of America

Competitive candidates should demonstrate significant evidence of a passion for and a commitment to their chosen discipline. They aspire to advance themselves, their families, and their communities through their work while representing the program values: 

• Technical excellence: I take great pride in my work. I am committed to exceptional results, innovation, and safety. 

• Reliability: I have demonstrated follow through and will always be an asset to those whom I work for and with. 

• Positivity: I am driven by a spirit of gratitude and am motivated to seek out opportunities for growth and improvement personally and for my community. 

Twenty-five percent of scholarships will be awarded to students from military families, pending qualified applicants.

Ineligible candidates include employees and Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) who administer the Ronald Reagan Library, and Kaleidoscope and their immediate families, as well as members of the GE Aerospace-Reagan Workforce Readiness Scholarship selection committee and their immediate families. 

This program is scheduled to be active for five award years beginning in 2026. Kaleidoscope administers this program according to guidelines established by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and GE Aerospace. The program sponsors reserve the right to review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship program and to make changes at any time, including termination of the program.

Follow the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on social media @RonaldReaganEDU for news about this and other student programs.