BALPA Benevolent Fund ATPL Theory Scholarships
our groundschool scholarships
are sponsored by:
What's included in a
Groundschool scholarship?
our partnership with the
balpa benevolent fund
We are proud to partner with the BALPA Benevolent Fund, which supports pilots, aviation professionals, and their families through times of financial hardship, medical difficulty, or career transition. Their involvement helps remove barriers for passionate future pilots who may otherwise find professional training out of reach.
Together, The Air League and BALPA Benevolent Fund are committed to helping more people access the high‑quality training and support needed to build a career in aviation.
who should apply?
This scholarship is intended for Private Pilot Licence (PPL) holders who wish to further their training by completing their ATPL(A) theory. Applicants must be aiming for a career as a professional pilot, hold (or be eligible to obtain) a Class 1 Medical Certificate and be members of The Air League.
frequently asked questions
Applications will open on 1st April 2026 and will close at 2359 on 31st May 2026.
There are five scholarships available, but each successful applicant may receive only one scholarship.
-5 x ATPL(A) UK CAA/EASA approved courses, including:
- ATPdigital CBT software – available on Mac, iPad or Windows computers.
- 3 x 5 days revision teaching – online or in-person (at our Clevedon, UK training centre) – 1 week per module
- 18-month subscription to the BGS Video Library (recorded ATPL videos)
- 12-month access Bristol Question Bank – BGS Online
- Downloadable example aircraft data booklets (CAP696, CAP697 & CAP698)
- Support from our world-class instructors
- Technical software support throughout your studies
- A full set of bound training manuals
- UK CAA/EASA exam costs
- Limited accommodation for revision weeks and exam periods
Please note that the following are not included:
- A Jeppesen Airway Manual – GSPRM
- A CRP-5 navigation computer
- A commercial navigation protractor
- A precision drawing set
- An exam-approved calculator
- A printed set of example aircraft data booklets (CAPs)
-Aged 17 or older
-PPL(A) holder
-Member of the Air League
-UK Permanent Resident
-Meet the requirements of a Class 1 medical. Before starting your commercial pilot training, we recommend getting your Class 1 Medical Certificate
-Have an unwavering ambition to pursue a career as a professional pilot
Our scholarships are open to all that meet the requirements listed above.
Our vision is to change lives through aviation and believe there should be no educational, financial, or social barriers for those who want to succeed.
We want to make aviation accessible to all. Regardless of your background we will support you if you have the determination, drive and passion to succeed.
The first part of the application process is a written application via the form below. You must also complete an online aptitude test before you submit your application. A link to the aptitude test is in the application form.
From there, a shortlist of applicants will be provided to the BALPA Benevolent fund to decided who proceeds to interview. Online interviews will be held in Mid-June 2026. The selection panel reserves the right to make no award if no suitable candidate is identified.
Yes. Interviews will be held in Mid-June 2026, with a joint Air League and BALPA Benevolent fund selection panel.
Yes. A valid Air League membership is required to apply.
Late June 2026
application form
career pathway options
We’ve teamed up with TalentView Aviation to ensure all our scholarship applicants continue on their career pathways within aviation and aerospace
TalentView is the place for talented individuals to find first jobs, graduate roles and other exciting opportunities and be seen by employers across the UK aviation industry