Scholarships For Dependents of US Navy Aviation
Scholarships for Navy Aviation Families.
WOASF scholarships support eligible children, spouses, and grandchildren of qualifying U.S. Navy aviation personnel as they pursue college, community college, and trade or technical education.
Scholarships Overview
If you are the child, spouse, or grandchild of qualifying U.S. Navy aviation personnel, a WOASF scholarship may help you pursue college, community college, or trade or technical education.
For decades, WOASF has helped Navy aviation families turn educational goals into opportunities through scholarship support and administered programs.
Who We Serve
- Dependent spouses, children, and eligible grandchildren of U.S. Navy aviation personnel
- Officer and enlisted families
- Active duty, retired, honorably discharged, or deceased sponsors
Eligible Programs
- Trade and technical certification programs
- Community college — AA / AS / AAS / AGS
- Four-year colleges and universities — BS / BA
- WOASF scholarship funds cover tuition and mandatory fees only
Awarded Since 1987
Scholars Supported
Scholarships Awarded in 2026
Eligibility
Are You Eligible?
Eligibility begins with your relationship to an eligible U.S. Navy aviation sponsor, then considers the sponsor’s qualifying service. Review the applicant category that applies to you, followed by the sponsor requirements below.
Military Spouses
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited institution as a full-time or part-time student, taking a minimum of 6 credits per semester.
Children
- Unmarried natural-born, adopted, or stepchild, up to age 23 in the application year
- Graduate or graduating senior of an accredited high school or home-school equivalent, or a current college/trade school student
- Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time at an accredited institution — minimum 12 credits per semester
Grandchildren
- Unmarried natural-born or adopted grandchild, up to age 23 in the application year
- Graduate or graduating senior of an accredited high school or home-school equivalent, or a current college/trade school student
- Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time at an accredited institution — minimum 12 credits per semester
Next, Check Your Sponsor’s Service
Your sponsor must have served:
- At least eight (8) years of active duty, or
- ADSD (Active Duty Special Duty) in a qualifying Navy aviation or subordinate command, or
- A combination of both within the U.S. Navy aviation community.
Qualifying service may be non-consecutive. Time spent in flight school does not count toward the eight-year requirement.
Your sponsor must have served within the U.S. Navy aviation community, including subordinate activities and commands, ashore or afloat, whose primary mission supports Navy aviation.
Qualifying service may include:
- Aviation squadrons — manned or unmanned
- Aircraft carriers
- Aviation Wings and Staffs, including CNATRA
- Naval Air Systems Commands, including headquarters staff, PEOs, and subordinate commands
- Naval Air Station assignments directly related to aircraft operations*
- Non-aviation assignments where the sponsor’s billet directly supported the operation, equipping, instruction, or training of Commander, Naval Air Forces aviation assets*
Additional documentation may be required.
Any spouse, child (natural-born, adopted, or stepchild), or eligible grandchild of a U.S. Navy member who died while on active duty serving within a U.S. Navy aviation command may qualify, regardless of the sponsor’s length of service.
If you pre-qualified in a previous scholarship season, you must still complete Step I: Pre-Qualification by February 1 at 5 PM EST.
You do not need to re-enter your sponsor’s command information or resubmit eligibility documents.
All applicants must complete Step I: Pre-Qualification by February 1 at 5 PM EST.
If your sibling pre-qualified within the last five years, you only need to provide proof of sponsor dependency.
If your sibling pre-qualified more than five years ago, you must provide your sponsor’s command information and eligibility documents.
Administered Scholarships
One Application. More Opportunities.
WOASF administers additional scholarships for specific commands, communities or organizations. These scholarships are offered in addition to WOASF scholarships, so it is possible to be a recipient of a WOASF scholarship and the scholarships below.
To apply for any administered scholarship you must complete the WOASF pre-qualification and scholarship application.
On the application you will have a choice of administered scholarships available, please check all for which you are qualified. You must provide proof of sponsor's service in that command (or community) in order to be considered for administered scholarships.
Maritime Patrol Association Scholarship
For eligible dependents of Navy personnel who served in the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community.
Funded by the MPA, this scholarship is available to all dependents of Navy personnel who currently or formerly served in the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community. Scholarship money may be used for any college expenses.
Eligible commands include:
Active Units — VP-1, VP-4, VP-5, VP-8, VP-9, VP-10, VP-16, VP-26, VP-30, VP-40, VP-45, VP-46, VP-47, VP-62 (res), VP-69 (res), VX-1, VX-20, VX-30, VXS-1, VQ-1, VPU-2, VUP-11, VUP-19, CPRW-2, CPRW-10, CPRW-11, CPRG, CTF-57, CTF-67 and CTF-72.
Disestablished Units — VP-6, VP-11, VP-17, VP-19, VP-22, VP-23, VP-24, VP-31, VP-48, VP-49, VP-50, VP-56, VP-60, VP-64, VP-65, VP-66, VP-67, VP-68, VP-90, VP-91, VP-92, VP-93, VP-94, VQ-2, VPU-1 and CPRW-5.
Eligibility:
Applicant's sponsor must be a member of the Maritime Patrol Association. All eligibility requirements for WOASF (8 year aviation requirement) must also be met.
Photo credit: MPA Magazine | 2026 Issue 1
Theodore Roosevelt Association Scholarship
For eligible dependents of Navy personnel who served aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) as ship’s company, excluding Airwing.
Funded by the TRA, this scholarship is available to all dependents of Navy personnel who currently or formerly served aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) as ship’s company, not Airwing. Scholarship money may be used for any college expenses.
Eligibility:
Dependent of ship's company (any time - past or current member). The 8 year requirement of aviation service Does Not have to be met to be eligible for this scholarship.
Photo credit: theodoreroosevelt.org
USS Gerald R. Ford Scholarship
For eligible dependents of U.S. Navy personnel who currently serve or formerly served aboard USS Gerald R. Ford, including ship’s company and airwing.
Funded by the USS Gerald R. Ford Commissioning Committee, this scholarship is available to dependents of U.S. Navy personnel who currently serve or formerly served aboard USS Gerald R. Ford, including both ship’s company and airwing. Scholarship money may only be used for tuition and mandatory fees charged by the college or university.
Eligibility:
Dependent of sponsor serving aboard (any time - past or current member). The 8-year requirement of aviation service does not have to be met to be eligible for this scholarship.
Photo credit: USS Gerald R. Ford Public Affairs | Navy.mil
VAW/VRC Merit Scholarships
For eligible spouses and college-age children of current and former VAW/VRC community members.
VVOSA has partnered with the Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation (WOASF) to streamline the application process for students, allowing students to draft and submit one consolidated online application that can be used for several military dependent scholarship opportunities. VVOSA merit scholarship applications will be selected/approved by VAW/VRC community members. Also, VVOSA decides the amount and number of scholarships each year. Scholarship money may only be used for tuition charged by the college or university.
Eligibility:
Any spouse or college-age child of current and former members (officer and enlisted) of the VAW/VRC community is eligible to apply (see eligible squadrons below). The 8 year requirement of aviation service Does Not have to be met to be eligible for this scholarship.
Candidates submitting applications must be graduates of an accredited high school or equivalent thereof and must plan to attend an accredited vocational or academic institution. Applicants and recipients from previous years may reapply. An individual may be awarded the scholarship twice.
Applicants must be pursing their FIRST undergraduate degree at a college or university or attending technical/vocational school. Any students currently in a Reserve Officer Candidate Program (ROTC) are not eligible. For more information:
Website: www.vvosa.org
Contact: Julie Swanson, vvosascholarship@gmail.com
Eligible VRC/VAW Commands:
VAW: VAW 120- Greyhawks (Training Squadron), VAW 121- Bluetails, VAW 123- Screwtops, VAW 124- Bear Aces, VAW 125- Tigertails, VAW 126- Seahawks, VAW 112- Golden Hawks, VAW 113- Black Eagles. VAW 116- Sun Kings, VAW 117- Wallbangers, VAW 115- Liberty Bells
VRC: VRC 40- Rawhides; VRC 30- Providers
Photo credit: VAW/VRC/VUQ Foundation website
Important Dates
Mark Your Calendar to Stay on Track
Pre-Qualification Opens
The application window begins. Start early to give yourself time to gather documents.
Pre-Qualification Deadline
5:00 PM ESTMust be submitted electronically. No paper submissions or late entries accepted.
Final Application Deadline
5:00 PM ESTAll materials due electronically. Transcripts may be mailed if postmarked by this date.
Application Process
What You’ll Need to Apply
The scholarship process has two required steps. Complete Pre-Qualification first so WOASF can verify your relationship to the sponsor and the sponsor’s service. Approved applicants receive an Applicant ID to continue to the Scholarship Application.
Pre-Qualification
Pre-Qualification verifies the applicant’s relationship to the sponsor and the sponsor’s service requirements. Approved applicants receive an Applicant ID.
What You'll Need for Pre-Qualification
Accepted documentation includes:
- For Active-Duty Aviation Rated Personnel (AE, AO, ABE): proof of rating and one re-enlistment
- DD 214
- Electronic Training Jacket
- Front page of detaching FITREP(s) from aviation/subordinate commands only
- History of Assignments
- Officer Data Card
- Officer Personnel Summary Records
- Performance Summary Report
Applicants only need enough documentation to verify the required eight years (96 months) of qualifying aviation or subordinate-command service—not the sponsor’s entire career.
Provide the applicable eligibility documentation listed above, plus the sponsor’s Annual Retirement Point Record to verify activated reserve time.
Grandchild applicants must provide documentation verifying their relationship to a qualifying U.S. Navy aviation sponsor and the sponsor’s qualifying Navy aviation service.
Additional documentation may be required to verify eligibility.
Scholarship Application
After Pre-Qualification approval, complete the Scholarship Application using your Applicant ID.
- Academic information and official transcript
- One recommendation submitted through the online form
- Two essays
- Activities and extracurricular involvement
- Community service
- Work experience
Selection Process
A Fair and Impartial Review
WOASF uses a blind selection process. Identifying information is removed before applications are reviewed.
Applications are evaluated based on:
WOASF Scholars
Celebrating the 2026 Scholarship Recipients
WOASF and its administered scholarship partners recognize the 2026 recipients for their academic achievements and the paths they are
pursuing at colleges and universities nationwide.
Emily Anderson
Georgia Institute of Technology · Aerospace Engineering
Italy
WOASF Alumni
Where Are They Now?
Scholarship support can be one chapter in a much longer journey. See where education and opportunity have taken members of the WOASF community.
Rachel Herrera
Class of 2017 · Princeton University
After graduating from Princeton, Rachel completed a Fulbright Fellowship in Mexico before joining Deloitte Consulting, where her work included projects supporting Military Health Systems, the Defense Health Agency, and disaster recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
Resources
Explore helpful tools for scholarship searches, college planning, and additional student opportunities.
Scholarship Search Tools
Explore trusted scholarship search engines and additional funding opportunities.
Learn More →
Student Resources
Find helpful tools for applications, college planning, and financial aid.
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Partner Internships
Explore internship opportunities available through WOASF partners.
Learn More →
Questions? Start Here
Scholarship FAQs
Find answers about eligibility, sponsor service, applications, documents, scholarship awards, and administered scholarships.
- ELIGIBILITY
- APPLICATION PROCESS
- AWARD DETAILS
- SELECTION PROCESS
- IMPORTANT DATES
- CONTACT
Who is eligible to apply?
WOASF scholarships are available to eligible:
- Children (natural born, adopted, or stepchild) of qualifying U.S. Navy aviation personnel
- Spouses of qualifying U.S. Navy aviation personnel
- Grandchildren of qualifying U.S. Navy aviation personnel
This includes officer and enlisted families who are active duty, retired, honorably discharged, or deceased. Specific requirements can vary depending on applicant type — including relationship to the sponsor, enrollment status, and the sponsor's qualifying Navy aviation service.
How many years must my sponsor have served?
In most cases, your sponsor must have served at least eight years of active duty, ADSD (Active Duty Special Duty — for example, a reservist called to work full-time for a set period), or a combination of both within the U.S. Navy aviation community.
What if my sponsor died while on active duty?
If your sponsor died while on active duty serving within a U.S. Navy aviation command, the standard eight-year service requirement may be waived — you can still qualify regardless of how long they served.
Do I have to meet the 8-year rule for every WOASF scholarship?
No. Some administered scholarships — such as those tied to specific squadrons or commands (for example, VAW/VRC-affiliated awards) — waive the 8-year aviation service requirement entirely. Eligibility for these depends on your sponsor's specific command or community rather than years served.
What type of school can I attend?
WOASF supports students pursuing trade and technical certification programs, community college (AA/AS/AAS/AGS), and four-year colleges or universities (BA/BS). Funds cover tuition and mandatory fees only.
What's the application process?
The process has two steps:
- Pre-Qualification — establishes your eligibility based on your dependent status and your sponsor's service. Must be submitted electronically by February 1st at 5:00 PM EST. No paper submissions accepted.
- Full Application — once you're approved, you'll receive an applicant ID and complete academic information (transcripts), two recommendations, two essays, and details on activities, community service, and work experience. Due electronically by March 1st at 5:00 PM EST.
What documents do I need to apply?
You'll need proof of your sponsor's eligibility, a completed application form, records of community service, a personal essay, a personal photograph, and a transcript.
Can transcripts be mailed instead of submitted online?
Yes. Transcripts may be mailed, but they must be postmarked by March 1st to be considered on time.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship at once?
Yes. WOASF administers additional scholarships tied to specific commands, communities, or organizations, offered in addition to the standard WOASF scholarship. On your single application, you can select every administered scholarship you qualify for — it's possible to receive a WOASF scholarship and one or more administered scholarships in the same year.
What happens after I submit my application?
Applications go through a blind selection process, meaning all identifying information is removed before review. Reviewers evaluate applicants on academic achievement, community service, extracurricular involvement, and character.
How much is the scholarship worth?
Each scholarship is $5,000. Some scholarships are renewable, meaning recipients can receive the award again in future years. Award amounts for administered scholarships may vary.
What can the scholarship money be used for?
Funds can only be used for tuition and mandatory fees at an accredited institution. They do not cover housing, books, meal plans, or other living expenses.
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
WOASF awards a minimum of 50 scholarships annually, funded entirely through individual and corporate generosity.
Are renewable, multi-year scholarships available?
Yes. Each $20,000 donation funds a four-year renewable scholarship. This gives recipients financial security for all four years of school without needing to reapply and compete each cycle.
How are scholarship winners chosen?
WOASF uses a blind selection process — all identifying information (name, school, location, etc.) is removed from applications before they're reviewed, so decisions are based solely on the content of the application.
What criteria are applications evaluated on?
Reviewers evaluate each application based on:
- Academic achievement
- Community service
- Extracurricular involvement
- Character
Is financial need considered in the selection process?
Financial need was not listed among the published evaluation criteria on woasf.org — selection is based on academic achievement, community service, extracurricular involvement, and character. If you'd like this confirmed directly, it's worth checking with the Scholarship Administrator.
When does the application process open?
Pre-Qualification opens on October 1st each year.
When is the Pre-Qualification deadline?
Pre-Qualification must be submitted electronically by February 1st at 5:00 PM EST. No paper submissions are accepted, and late submissions will not be considered.
When is the full application due?
The full application deadline is March 1st at 5:00 PM EST. Transcripts may be mailed instead of submitted online, but they must be postmarked by this date.
What happens if I miss a deadline?
Both the Pre-Qualification and full application deadlines are firm. Applicants are encouraged to begin early and read all instructions carefully to avoid missing a step.
Contact the WOASF Scholarship Administrator with questions about Pre-Qualification or scholarship eligibility.
Melissa Garrison | Scholarship Administrator
scholarship@woasf.org
757-228-3532
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Your opportunity starts with Pre-Qualification. See if you're eligible and begin your application.