Wings Over America Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Wings Over America Scholarship Fund

Our Purpose and History

Purpose: Since 1987, the Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation (WOASF) has honored Navy aviation families by expanding access to education. Navy aviation service can involve deployments, frequent moves, changing schools, interrupted careers, and missed milestones, affecting entire families. For students, that mobility can make it harder to build the local connections that some scholarship opportunities rely on. WOASF aims to ensure that a life shaped by service does not limit educational opportunity.

History of the Award: President Bush knew Navy aviation service firsthand. At 18, he joined the U.S. Navy and became a naval aviator, flying combat missions in the Pacific during World War II. His aircraft was shot down in September 1944 while he was completing a combat mission. He later served as the 41st President of the United States.

• WOASF has supported Navy aviation families since 1987.
• The foundation recognizes the impact of service on the entire family.
• Its purpose is to expand access to education.

Our Approach and Impact

WOASF helps students and families move forward through scholarships, partnerships, and a community committed to giving back. Its work recognizes the sacrifices of Navy aviation families, supports spouses and children pursuing higher education, and connects generations of those families. Together with its administered scholarship partners, WOASF turns community support into educational opportunity for Navy aviation families across the country.

• Honors the service and sacrifices of Navy aviation families.
• Supports spouses and children pursuing higher education.
• Builds connections across generations of Navy aviation families.

Scholarships

Application Timeline: Applications are open for the 2026–2027 cycle. A WOASF scholarship may help eligible applicants pursue college, community college, or trade and technical education. Applicants should review available opportunities, eligibility requirements, and required documents before applying. Scholarship funds cover tuition and mandatory fees only.

• Applications are open for the 2026–2027 cycle.
• Eligible study options include college, community college, and trade or technical education.
• Funds cover tuition and mandatory fees only.

Who We Serve and Eligible Programs

Eligibility Overview: WOASF serves dependent spouses, children, and eligible grandchildren of qualifying U.S. Navy aviation personnel. Eligible sponsors may be officers or enlisted personnel who are active duty, retired, honorably discharged, or deceased. Scholarships may support education at accredited institutions. Qualifying programs include trade and technical certifications, community college, and four-year college or university study.

Eligible Programs:

• Trade and technical certification programs.
• Community college programs: AA, AS, AAS, or AGS.
• Four-year college and university programs: BS or BA.

• Applicants must be a dependent spouse, child, or eligible grandchild of qualifying U.S. Navy aviation personnel.
• Eligible sponsors include officers and enlisted personnel, whether active duty, retired, honorably discharged, or deceased.
• Scholarship support is available for eligible trade, technical, community college, and four-year programs.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility depends on the applicant’s relationship to a qualifying U.S. Navy aviation sponsor and the sponsor’s service. Applicants must also meet the requirements for their category and planned enrollment. Spouses may study full-time or part-time, while children and grandchildren must plan to enroll full-time. Review the applicable requirements below before applying.

• Military spouses: Must be enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited institution as a full-time or part-time student, taking at least 6 credits per semester.
• Children: Must be unmarried and a natural-born, adopted, or stepchild, up to age 23 in the application year. Applicants must be a graduate or graduating senior of an accredited high school or home-school equivalent, or a current college or trade school student. They must be enrolled or planning to enroll full-time at an accredited institution, taking at least 12 credits per semester.
• Grandchildren: Must be unmarried and a natural-born or adopted grandchild, up to age 23 in the application year. Applicants must be a graduate or graduating senior of an accredited high school or home-school equivalent, or a current college or trade school student. They must be enrolled or planning to enroll full-time at an accredited institution, taking at least 12 credits per semester.