Naval Helicopter Association Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Naval Helicopter Association

Mission

The Naval Helicopter Association Scholarship Fund provides targeted scholarships to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard rotary‑wing and tiltrotor community, as well as their families. It recognizes service while investing in the next generation of leaders through annual awards and selective criteria. The program focuses on vertical‑lift personnel and maintains robust selection and review processes to ensure fairness and alignment with community needs.

Description: Scholarships support students connected to the naval vertical‑lift community, honoring service and promoting educational advancement.

• Supports Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard rotary‑wing and tiltrotor communities.
• Awards are granted annually following committee review.
• Prioritizes service‑connected applicants and family members.

Apply for a Scholarship

The fund awards 15 scholarships each year through an online application system that allows applicants to save progress and complete the application across devices. The current cycle is the 2026–27 application period and applications open on a regular annual schedule. The application process is streamlined to collect sponsor information, academic records, and recommendation letters.

Description: Applicants create a profile, complete the online application, upload documents, and submit before the deadline.

• 15 scholarships awarded annually.
• Online, save‑as‑you‑go application accessible on any device.
• Applicants must submit all materials by the stated deadlines.

Eligibility

Eligibility is based on service connection to the naval vertical‑lift community and relationship to an NHA member sponsor, with specific exemptions for certain enlisted personnel and first‑tour officers. Applicants may be active, reserve, or prior USN/USMC/USCG rotary‑wing aviators, aircrew, or maintenance/support personnel, or their child, grandchild, or spouse. Service Academy appointees and recipients of fully funded ROTC scholarships are not eligible.

Eligibility: Requires either an NHA member sponsor (with membership tenure rules) or, for enlisted E‑6 and below, a Command Verification of Eligibility; educational enrollment is also required.

• Connection to an NHA member sponsor is typically required; exceptions apply for enlisted E‑6 and below.
• Open to active, reserve, or prior rotary‑wing personnel and immediate family members.
• Service Academy appointees and fully funded ROTC scholarship recipients are ineligible.

Application Timeline

The annual cycle begins September 1 when the application portal opens and follows a set schedule through spring notification of recipients. Applicants may start and build their application anytime after the portal opens, but first‑time applicants must begin by the January deadline and all materials must be complete by the end of January. The Scholarship Committee reviews completed applications in February and recipients are notified in spring.

Application Timeline: Opens Sep 1, ongoing build period, first‑time applicant start deadline in January, complete submission by end of January, committee review in February, notifications in spring.

• Applications open Sep 1; save and resume any time.
• First‑time applicants must start by the January deadline.
• All materials must be submitted by the end of January for review in February.

How it Works

The application process proceeds through six clear steps: create a profile, complete the application, upload documents, submit before the deadline, committee review, and notification/award. The system issues an applicant ID at profile creation and accepts transcripts and recommendation letters securely within the application. The Scholarship Committee reviews every complete application and recipients are announced with their consent.

Description: Six steps guide applicants from profile creation to award notification, with secure document uploads and committee review.

• Create an applicant profile and receive an applicant ID.
• Complete the application and upload transcript and recommendation letters.
• Submit by the deadline for committee review and spring notification.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare sponsor details and academic materials before beginning the application to streamline submission. Required items include the sponsor’s name, NHA member number and membership‑since date, any lifetime member number, an official transcript in PDF format, and letters of recommendation. Having these documents ready reduces the risk of incomplete applications and missed deadlines.

Description: Collect sponsor identifiers, official transcript (PDF), and recommendation letters prior to starting the application.

• Sponsor full name, NHA member number, and membership‑since date.
• Official transcript (PDF) and one or more letters of recommendation.
• Lifetime member number if applicable.

Support the Fund

The Scholarship Fund is supported by tax‑deductible gifts; NHASF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Donations directly underwrite scholarship awards and help sustain the program for the naval vertical‑lift community. Contributors enable continued investment in service members and their families pursuing higher education.

Description: Tax‑deductible donations fund scholarships and support program continuity.

• NHASF is a 501(c)(3); donations are tax‑deductible.
• Gifts directly fund scholarship awards for the vertical‑lift community.
• Support sustains the program and amplifies educational opportunities.