Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship Name:
Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarship
Purpose: Awarded to students demonstrating an interest in pursuing engineering careers in the vertical flight industry.
Eligibility: To be eligible for a scholarship:
- You need not be a member of AHS International, but we encourage you to explore the many benefits a student membership can provide.
- A student can receive an award once as an Undergraduate, once as a Master’s student and once as a Ph.D. student.
- Eligibility in Ph.D. category requires verification of formally meeting doctoral degree requirements such as qualifying exams. Otherwise, the student will be considered in the MS category.
- Applicants must be in the relevant degree program at least 1-semester or 2-quarters after the scholarship will be presented (at the AHS Annual Forum in the month of May).
- Applicants must be a full-time student at an accredited school in a technical program. Technical disciplines relevant to complex aeronautics/aeronautics engineering or aviation systems, even if not directly considered vertical lift engineering, will receive equal consideration.
Value:
Range from $1,000 to $5,000
How to Apply:
Completing the Application Packet
Refer to the VFF Scholarship Application Guidelines for detailed information and templates.
A complete application package must include the following:
- Completed Scholarship Application Form
- Resume
- Narrative
- Official University/School Transcript
- Professor Letter of Recommendation
Due dates for all VFF documents:
- Electronic documents must be time-stamped on or before the first Monday in February (Feb. 6, 2017) and sent directly to the AHS VFF Coordinator email address listed in the VFF Scholarship Application Guidelines.
- Mailed documents must be postmarked on or before the first Monday in February (Feb. 6, 2017) and received at AHS headquarters no later than February 15th, addressed to the VFF Coordinator at the address listed below:
AHS International
Attention: Julie M. Gibbs, VFF Coordinator
2701 Prosperity Ave., Suite 210
Fairfax, VA 22031-4314 USA
Application Submission Process and Completion Date:
Applicant must submit an official grade transcript (including the most recent set of grades issued).
Application
Complete the application. To determine at which level you are applying, see the eligibility examples above.
Narrative
The narrative should provide a personal statement regarding your passion for aeronautics/aeronautical engineering or complex aviation systems and vertical flight technology specifically, should highlight specific interest, perspective and experience in important and relevant topics to the vertical flight community, such as affordability, and should describe how your studies will assist in pursuing and growing that passion. The narrative should not be a restatement of your resume or description of research.
Resume
Please use the template provided in the scholarship application form (in PDF or Word format) and be as precise and accurate as possible. The resume should include career objectives; school and/or employment history and experience, including relevant research; papers/publications or presentations; and extra-curricular activities.
Transcripts
Once you have determined that you are eligible to apply for a VFF scholarship, order your transcripts, including the most recent set of grades issued. Transcripts must be received by the University of the Registrar – AHS will not accept transcripts from students.
- Transcripts must be mailed, unopened directly to AHS International headquarters, from your university’s Office of the Registrar and must be postmarked and received by the due dates listed above. Or sent by a secure electronic link from the Office of the Registrar directly to the AHS VFF Coordinator and must be received by the due date listed above.
- If your transcript is not in English, AHS will request that the applicant provide a translation in English, which must be accredited by a letter from your professor verifying the accuracy of the translation.
- If your school cannot provide an official transcript, an equivalent disclosure of academic standing may be provided and must be endorsed by the relevant head of curriculum.
- If the due dates conflict with end of semester/quarter timing at your university and there is a problem submitting the transcript on time, contact the VFF Student Coordinator immediately so a due date waiver can be requested from the VFF Scholarship Committee.
Professor Letter of Recommendation
At least one letter of recommendation is required from a professor very familiar with you and your course work. The professor should provide a statement as to where you stand in regard to the students he/she has taught in his/her career and state if you are in the top 5, 10 or 25% of your class based on his/her experience with all of his/her students, past and present. It is imperative that your professor understand these recommendation guidelines. Please see page 4 of the VFF Scholarship Application Guidelines and provide them to your professor. The Professor’s recommendation letter, either electronic (PDF format) or mailed, must be sent by the Professor directly to the VFF Coordinator at AHS International by the due dates and must be signed by him or her. AHS will not accept recommendation letters from students.
How Your Application Is Evaluated
All applications are reviewed by the AHS Scholarship Committee. Several scholarships are awarded each year by the Vertical Flight Foundation, unless there are no qualified applicants. Scholarship recipients are notified by the Foundation by April 15th.
Weighting Factors
Your application is evaluated based on:
- 35% — Experience. Experience consists of work history, research, paper publications from resume.
- 25% — Narrative
- 20% — Letters of Recommendation. It is your responsibility to provide the guidelines to your professor.
- 10% — Academics
- 10% — Extra-curricular activities
If you have any questions on the application process, please contact the VFF Scholarship Coordinator listed above.
Checklist
IMPORTANT: All items must be date-stamped or postmarked by the first Monday in February (Feb. 6, 2017) or your application will not be accepted!
▢ Completed Application
▢ Narrative
▢ Resume
▢ Official University Transcripts
▢ Professor Letter of Recommendation
Selection Process:
Applications are evaluated based on:
Experience – 35% Experience consists of work history, research, publications and other related activities. Your resume is the principle source used by the committee to evaluate your experience.
Narrative – 25% To be competitive your narrative must explain your past and future academic interests (including the reason for you selecting the school at which the scholarship will be used, as well as your reasons for the specific curriculum). It must also explain your future career interest in the rotorcraft or VTOL engineering field. Finally, you must also include any other reasons you should be considered for the scholarship.
Professors’ letter of recommendation – 20% it is your responsibility to provide the complete guidelines to the professor.
Academics – 10% Your academic qualifications will be evaluated based on your official transcripts.
Extra curricular activities – 10% any extra-curricular activities you wish the Committee to consider must be detailed in your resume.
Application:
History/Background:
The Vertical Flight Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1967 as the philanthropic arm of the American Helicopter Society (now AHS International). The Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) charity, formed for the support of education in rotorcraft and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft engineering. The Foundation’s scholarships are made possible through voluntary tax-deductible contributions, with all administrative costs covered by AHS.
In 1977, the Foundation established a scholarship program for promising undergraduate and graduate students who plan to pursue careers in vertical flight. In the initial years, the Foundation awarded between three and eight $1,000 scholarships annually. Since 1980, the Foundation has awarded over 400 scholarships from $1,000 to $5,000 each. These scholarships have been awarded to students from throughout the world who have demonstrated an interest in pursuing engineering careers in the vertical flight industry. All scholarships are thanks to the generosity and support of our contributors.
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