King Schools opens 2026 CFI scholarships program For over a decade a fortunate group of pilots have benefited from the King Schools scholarship program provided in partnership with two very influential organizations: Women in Aviation International (WAI) and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). In 2026, King Schools will continue its tradition of supporting aspiring and developing instructors to add to the 19 well-deserving scholarship award winners that have already been identified. Each award is valued at over $20,000 and consists of lifetime access to the entire King Schools library plus $5,000 in cash. Applicants must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, or an existing CFI certificate. The scholarships can be used for an initial Flight Instructor Certificate or any CFI add-on rating. In conjunction with WAI, King Schools awards the WAI Martha King Scholarship for Female Flight Instructors. The application window is open now and the deadline for applications is Wednesday, October 15, 2025. The winner will be honored at the 2026 WAI Conference in Grapevine Texas. For more information go to https://www.wai.org/scholarship-listings?id=155. Applications for the NAFI/King Schools Scholarship are also now being accepted and the deadline for applications is January 7, 2026. The NAFI Scholarship winner will be honored at the 2026 SUN ‘n FUN Airshow in Lakeland, Florida. For more information go to https://kingschools.com/king-schools-nafi-scholarship-information “Awarding these scholarships has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience for John, me and all King Schools employees,” said Martha King. “Many of the winners have stayed in frequent contact with us and we have visited with each other quite often. We feel that getting to know these very motivated and achieving pilots has been a great benefit for us. I am happy to call many of them friends as well as esteemed professional connections.” Scholarship recipients have come from across the nation, are of all ages, and each of them has a unique story to tell. You can read about them at KingSchools.com/scholarship. “Judging by the quality of our applicants every year, I believe the future of aviation is in very good hands,” added John King. “We are so happy to be able to contribute something that helps these aspiring aviators reach their dreams. And every single one of our scholarship recipients is certain to make a positive difference in this community we love so much.” More information on applying for the King Schools scholarships can found on the website – KingSchools.com/Scholarship
