The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Flight Training Scholarship 2026

LeRoy Homer was the First Officer on Flight 93, which was hijacked and crashed in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. 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. The Foundation will award flight instruction scholarships to potential students for private pilot certification.

Submit your application by January 31st, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.

*Please do not use Internet Explorer to complete your application. Internet Explorer is not supported and you will not be able to start or submit this application using that browser.

• US citizen or resident alien

• Between the ages of 16-23 as of 1/31/2026 (application closing date.)

• Must not have been charged or convicted of any misdemeanors or felonies

• Must read, write and speak English to FAA standards

• Award of scholarship will require student to acquire an FAA Medical Certificate and be eligible under FAA IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) requirements to undergo flight training.

• If you have already achieved/received your FAA Private Pilot Certificate you are NOT eligible for this scholarship.

• Recipient 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 should ensure that is completed prior to May 15, 2026 to be eligible for an award. Sporty's, King Schools, Jeppesen are examples that offer online options.)

• Recipient must be available for training May 2026 through December 2026 with limited absences. (A two week family vacation can be accommodated. Multiple absences over the training window cannot.)

• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ChatGPT or similar technology to author essay answers is strongly discouraged and may impact your application score. We wish to hear your original thoughts in your own words.

• A scholarship award provides ground and flight training with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) for completion of a Private Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Training will be provided at an approved flight school in the local vicinity of the scholarship recipient. (Cessna Pilot Centers are an example.) The scholarship provides a six-month training window to complete certification.

• A scholarship award will allow for approximately 45-65 hours of total flight time at an expense below $17,000 unless circumstances require otherwise. Basic course materials (books, charts, manual E6-B computer) are included. The cost of one Private Pilot Written Exam (if not already completed) and one Private Pilot Certificate Check Ride with an FAA Pilot Designated Examiner will be provided.

• No reimbursements are made for prior training or exams already completed.Optional equipment (headsets, iPads, subscriptions, electronic flight computers) are not provided or covered and will be at the student’s discretion/expense.

Be sure you review our Application Tips and Scholarship FAQ page on our website!