Chicago Area Business Aviation Association Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Chicago Area Business Aviation Association

Each year CABAA invests more than $100,000 to encourage students who want to pursue aviation careers. We fund scholarships for graduating high school students entering aviation programs and for undergraduate students, and we offer a variety of professional training awards to help applicants get their “foot in the door.”

What to know now
- The 2026 scholarship application window is open. Carefully review the individual scholarship requirements online before applying.
- Important: applicants who select ALL available scholarships will not be considered. Pick the awards that match your goals and eligibility.
- Finalists selected and interviewed: June 2026
- Recipients notified: July 1, 2026

Eligibility and membership
- Scholarship recipients must be current CABAA members. If you’re a student, CABAA offers free student memberships — sign up online.

Available awards (grouped for clarity)

Financial scholarships (cash awards)
- Ken Johnson Memorial Scholarship — $8,000
- Scott Herwick Memorial Scholarship — $5,500
- CABAA Maintenance Committee Financial Scholarship — $8,000
- CABAA Collegiate Scholarship — $8,000
- CABAA General Financial Award — $5,000

Professional development and training awards
- CABAA Professional Development Award — $2,000
- Aircare FACTS Training Award
- Northrop Aviation FAA Dispatcher Award
- FlightSafety Principles of Troubleshooting Training Award
- FlightSafety and CAE Maintenance Professional Training Award
- FlightSafety and CAE Professional Pilot Training Award — $22,200
- CAE ATP-CTP Award

Next steps
- Read each scholarship’s requirements online, choose the ones that fit you, and submit your application before the window closes. If you’re unsure which award fits best, prioritize alignment with your career goals and eligibility. Good luck — this is a great way to get financial support and real training toward an aviation career.