The Grumman Owners and Pilots Association (GOPA) seeks young people who wish to apply for a scholarship of up to $2,500 USD to assist them in obtaining a Private Pilot license or equivalent, for single engine airplanes. The applicant must be 16 to 22 on the application deadline date, February 1. Candidates may be from any country and need not be a relative of a GOPA member.

If you know of a deserving young person who might be interested in applying for a flight training scholarship, please encourage him or her to download the printer-friendly application form. (The link is at the end of this article) The sky is waiting!

Eligibility

The GOPA Scholarship Fund is open to young people from any country, and the application process is not complicated. Candidates must submit their applications and supporting documents to the fund administrator no earlier than January 1 and by February 1 of each year. The scholarship recipients will be notified by approximately March 31 whether or not they have been selected.

Qualified applicants will be assessed by the scholarship committee on the following criteria:      

• A strong interest in general aviation, as demonstrated by having logged flight hours and/or completed/started ground school.
• A proven self-starter, willing to earn his/her way.
• Ability to learn as demonstrated by most recent academic records or job training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Grumman Owners & Pilots Association

Application

 Three (3) letters of recommendation are required: two (2) from non-relatives and one (1) from your flight instructor. Though not mandatory, we encourage applicants to seek out a reference from a GOPA member. Expenditures for training will be approved by the fund administrator and submitted to the Executive Director for payment. The funds will not be paid out as a lump sum. Payments for training will be made in two or three installments, as the training occurs, to the flight school or private instructor. Progress reports will be required from the flight school/instructor prior to each advance.

Candidates' applications are evaluated by the GOPA scholarship committee, led by the fund administrator. The scholarship committee consists of GOPA’s past president and four GOPA members.

Donations & Support

The GOPA Scholarship Fund promotes youth in aviation.  Funding for the awards comes solely from contributions of GOPA members and corporate friends of the GOPA, not from dues or any other GOPA funds. The members and corporate friends of the GOPA have been generous supporters of this fund since 2002 and have donated in excess of $120,000 to make scholarships possible to over 60 young pilots. Members are encouraged to support the fund through a charitable contribution. 
If you wish to make a contribution, donate directly using the form below  or contact our Executive Director, 1 (530) 556-5548. or by, E-mail Thank You.

THE GUY WARNER CELEBRATION OF LIFE SCHOLARSHIP

Guy Warner was a proud member of the GOPA since 1992.  His commitment and service to GOPA was long and passionate. Guy served as both president and vice president multiple times, he was a part of establishing the GOPA scholarship, served on the GOPA Scholarship committee, he was an active volunteer at annual conventions, a Lauren Larson award winner, and was awarded a Life Time Membership. Guy passed away after a short battle with cancer in March of 2023.  He and his wife Heidi flew many thousands of miles in their Grumman Tiger including Coast Guard Auxiliary search and rescue and flying hundreds of children in the Young Eagles program. Guy also flew eagles and other injured birds to specialists in his role as an environmental educator. They have been great supporters of the GOPA Scholarship and now in Guys’ memory, Heidi and her family have established the Guy Warner Celebration of Life Scholarship, through GOPA. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Guy, please complete the donation form below and indicate by clicking on Guy Warner Celebration of Life Scholarship, or contact the GOPA at 1 (530) 556-5548  or by E-mail 

Applications for this scholarship will remain the same as the GOPA scholarship.

Thank you for your support. Scholarship Application Form