Student scholarship program

Beginning in 2025, the Westchester Aircraft Maintenance Association (WAMA) established an annual scholarship program to support students enrolled in local Aviation Maintenance School Programs. The scholarship provides funding equivalent to the cost of required testing to become a certificated Aircraft Maintenance Technician.

Each participating school may nominate one student who exemplifies the professionalism and qualities sought by the aviation maintenance industry. To be eligible, the student must have completed the majority of the testing components—written, practical, and oral—for either the General and Airframe certifications or the General and Powerplant certification.

The nomination and all supporting documentation must be submitted within the 60-day application window and no later than August 1st of each year.

Scholarship Award

• Each scholarship award is in the amount of $2,000.00. (currently, subject to change)
• Each participating school is eligible to receive one award per year, one recipient per award.
• The scholarship awards will be issued in the fall at a WAMA Scholarship dinner.  Recipients will receive prior notice.

Conditions for the scholarship

• Student must be attending a school or learning institute that is a WAMA member at the bronze status or better.
• Student must be recommended by the program director / chair from each school
• Student is eligible at the completion of the practical and oral exams.  This would be a reimbursement after the student passes and receives notification.   Under certain circumstances, if petitioned by the school administrator, an exception may be considered by the committee if the student has already completed all the sections for general, airframe or general power plant and only remaining item left is the oral exam for either Power plant or Airframe.

Student Application Process - 5 steps

1. Application filled out by the student - (online or paper)
2. Student writes a narrative – why they want to become an A&P or desire to be in aviation maintenance.
3. Minimum GPA -  GPA will not be heavily weighted for the process but an indication of commitment and chances favorable success.
4. A letter of recommendation from one of the school administrators, or instructors will be required.   This will be a weighted input for the school administrator.  And will be reviewed by the WAMA scholarship committee. 
5. The student will present the complete packet to the designated school administrator. 

WAMA Scholarship Committee Process

When all recommendations are received, scholarship committee will review and start the process of issuing the awards.   The WAMA treasurer will be notified by the committee.

The scholarship committee will create award certificates for each named recipient.

The scholarship committee will coordinate with the events chair to lock in the venue and date for the Scholarship dinner. Depending on attendees and budget, will determine the venue.

The Scholarship Committee will solicit for sponsors to support the event.

Scholarship Funds

The funds must be raised by donation, The donation is typically generated through corporate sponsors, WAMA events and straight donation that may be made under an individual’s name.

The committee will work in conjunction with other committee to coordinate opportunities to raise money for scholarships.

The current requirements per year is $10,000 total.  This is for 5 participating schools    

The current scholarship balance is $20,000 that is in a CD separate from the WAMA general fund.

WAMA Scholarship Committee Meetings

The committee will meet at various times per year.  It is suggested once per quarter except the month leading up to the Scholarship dinner

The committee is empowered to adjust and make changes to the scholarship amount, conditions and terms.   All decisions must include the treasures input as custodian of the scholarship fund.

The Chair of the Scholarship committee is the head of the committee and will act as moderator during meetings but may delegate any responsibility or task to committee members.

Only members that serve on the committee will have the ability to vote on changes and provide input.

The scholarship committee will provide an update report at each BOD meeting.