The Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT) announces the recipients of its Fall 2025 PPOT Scholarships.
“My aviation journey began at age six after helping a hot air balloon crew, and that experience sparked a lifelong passion for flying. I earned my Private Pilot License during high school and am now a Commercial Aviation student at the University of North Dakota, working toward my instrument and commercial ratings while staying involved in aviation clubs and leadership programs. As a first-generation pilot paying for my own training, mentorship and support have played a huge role in my growth. This PPOT scholarship helps relieve financial pressure so I can focus on flying, leadership, and service. Right now, that means volunteering in elementary classrooms to introduce kids to aviation, staying active in campus organizations, and continuing to serve my community. Giving back and helping others has always been part of who I am, and I’m grateful to PPOT for supporting my journey as I work toward becoming a professional pilot.”
“Since a mentor introduced me to flying by taking me for a flight from my local airport, I have had a passion for aviation. I earned my private pilot certificate for gliders and powered aircraft, then recently my airframe and powerplant mechanic certificates. Now I am working as an aircraft mechanic for a regional air carrier in Nome, Alaska. This scholarship will help me achieve my goal of completing my instrument, commercial, and certified flight instructor certifications sooner while also paying off my student loans. I am so thankful for this opportunity to keep moving through my flight training in a timely manner, achieve my goals, and most importantly, be continually more helpful as a mentor and volunteer.”
This scholarship season received over 245 applications, which were carefully reviewed by our dedicated team of over 30 volunteer scholarship graders, using an in-house multi-point rubric system.
In 2025, PPOT awarded a record $10,000 to 4 scholarship recipients, and we look forward to continuing to increase our scholarship funding with generous donations from our partners, our volunteers, and our members. Since 2019, PPOT has awarded a total of $29,000 to 16 recipients and is entirely merit based.
