Music Students Can Win Sponsored Flight Training

High school juniors and seniors interested in aviation can be nominated by a music teacher or director before the Jan. 31, 2027 deadline.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Scholarships

Music Students Can Win Sponsored Flight Training

The Flying Musicians Association has opened nominations for its 2027 FMA Solo Program, which offers flight training scholarships to high school music students pursuing aviation. Nominations close Jan. 31, 2027, and recipients will serve as FMA youth ambassadors for their regions.

Why it matters

The program pairs music and aviation, giving students who are nominated by a music director or teacher a route to flight training that would otherwise carry a significant cost. Applicants should note that the eligibility window is tied to specific 2027 dates, including a minimum age of 16 by March 31, 2027.

Each sponsorship covers approximately 15 hours of dual instruction and includes flight training materials. Candidates must be high school juniors or seniors, hold proof of citizenship, and be eligible for a third-class FAA medical certificate or international equivalent.

The players

Flying Musicians Association (FMA)

A nonprofit aviation organization that sponsors flight training scholarships for high school music students and runs the FMA Solo Program.

The details

Candidates are not self-nominated; each must be put forward directly by a music director or teacher, who submits the nomination before the Jan. 31, 2027 close. Finalists are announced March 1, 2027, and official recipient notification follows on May 1, 2027. Applicants under 18 must secure parental consent before moving forward, and the program sponsors students through their first solo flight.

Jan. 31, 2027: Nominations close.
March 1, 2027: Finalists announced.
March 31, 2027: Applicants must reach age 16.
May 1, 2027: Official recipient notification.

Education Landscape

Aviation scholarships tied to a non-STEM interest such as music are a niche part of the broader scholarship market, which often rewards students for a single academic or artistic discipline. Programs like this one widen the set of fields in which students can secure outside funding for specialized training.

If you are a high school junior or senior interested in aviation and music, ask your music director or teacher whether they can submit a nomination before the Jan. 31, 2027 deadline. Confirm your eligibility dates early, since the age-16 requirement is tied to March 31, 2027.

The takeaway

Music teachers and directors are the gateway to this program, so a conversation with them before the January deadline is the practical first step. Keep the March 31, 2027 age requirement and the May 1, 2027 notification date on your calendar.