Scholarships and Grants for Pilots in Malawi
We love to see as many youth flying and fulfilling their childhood dream of flying. We have have a few scholarships to help them realise this dream.
Our scholarships are limited to flight training towards the private pilot's licence. They are available to Malawians aged 17 and above. In case of applicants below 18, a form of consent from a guardian or parent will be required. An applicant should have at least a Malawi School Certificate of Education or equivalent and be able to speak and write the English language. Frequently asked questions on eligibility and others are available on the scholarship application page.
Update on scholarships
As at 19 June 2020, we are no longer accepting flying scholarship applications until further notice. Our intention is to award a scholarship for every 15 students who have paid their fees in full. This is to allow the academy to continue meeting its financial obligations such as salaries for staff, rentals, aircraft maintenance and others; including profits for the owner.
Types of Scholarships
We principally provide ab-initio flight training scholarships. This scholarship is for someone who has never flown before and will be taught from the first step. We recommend interested candidates to utilise free online training resources to help them build basic knowledge that will enhance their training if selected. We will provide scholarships for special ratings for the private pilot’s licence such as night and instrument ratings.
7 Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application
Eastrise Aviation is one of the organisations that offer scholarships in Malawi. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, here are a few tips to increase your chances of success. Please note that these opportunities are only available to Malawian citizens.
1. Ensure that you meet eligibility requirements
It is a waste of time (or at least effort) to apply for a scholarship that you are not eligible for. Eligibility requirements at Eastrise Aviation include age, health, and physical fitness. International students are currently not eligible for a scholarship but do not incur additional costs if they chose to train in Malawi at Eastrise Aviation. Are there some tips that we should have included? Share your suggestions by dropping us an email. We’d be more than happy to post them!
2. Use official English
Many times people do not have the time to read jargon and those short phrases that we usually use on social media platforms. Remember that this is an official process and should be handled professionally.
3. Provide concrete reasons for the application
For example, if you are a Malawian and applying for a flying training scholarship do not just say “I would like to become a pilot so that I realise my dream”. Everyone has had that childhood dream to fly. Make a strong argument but do not exaggerate or sound desperate.
4. Be honest in your submission
Never be tempted to lie to increase your chances of getting a scholarship. You will eventually be caught and lose your scholarship and reputation. If you are subtle enough not to be caught, you will live with the guilt and fear of being caught.
5. Offer to give back in kind
Many benefactors are excited to hear that the scholarship applicant would like to give back – either to the community or to the organization that offered them the scholarship. Giving back could include providing free marketing help, offering to train other students for free, et cetera.
6. Ensure you complete all fields and give clear responses
A scholarship is a heavily contested opportunity. You can only be sure of increased chances of success if you fully complete the required fields.
7. Never miss the deadline
It is prudent for the scholarship applicant to ensure s/he does not miss the deadline. At Eastrise, we currently review scholarships on a rolling basis so there is no deadline for our aviation scholarships. However, many scholarships for college or university education in Malawi have deadlines.