FRANCESCA NORRIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

In memory of Francesca Norris, who was a dedicated and respected flight instructor, ISA+21 awards two scholarships each year to aspiring female airline pilots.  Even though Francesca’s dream of becoming an airline pilot was not realized, this scholarship will advance many women on a path to reach that dream.  The scholarships are for advanced flight instructor training programs and will assist women pilots in a career that Francesca loved.  Since 2019, ISA+21 has awarded over $85,000 to 13 women in honor or Francesca Norris.

Scholarship Prerequisites:

Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  • Hold an FAA Commercial Pilots License or equivalent
  • In pursuit of a career as an airline pilot
  • Hold a current first class medical certificate

Conditions:

  • Only one Francesca Norris Memorial Scholarship Award is allowed in a lifetime
  • Applicants may apply for both the FNMS & ISA+21 Financial Scholarship in a given year
  • Applicants may apply as many times as they wish
  • Training will be conducted at US Aviation Academy or approved flight school
  • Funds will be paid directly to the approved training organization
  • The winner is responsible for travel, housing, and personal expenses during training
  • Open to female applicants, as indicated on their pilot certificate

Process:

  • Submit required documents by emailing scholarship@isa21.org
  • All applications will be assessed by the Scholarship Committee for eligibility
  • Scholarship entries are due November 1st of each year
  • The scholarship winner is announced in March of each year

Our 2025 Financial Scholarship Recipients

Are you next? 

Leah M.
USA

"Earning my MEI will enable me to advance on the path to an airline career, in which I aspire to both fly and continue helping students reach their full potential. This ISA+21 Scholarship would bring me one step closer to this goal, allowing me to affect positive change within Aviation and lift up the next generation of pilots."

Cherry K.
Hong Kong

"This scholarship will not only help me achieve my immediate training goals but also support my mission of mentoring the next generation of female aviators. . I look forward to walking through the airport concourses, where I hope to be a visible source of inspiration for other females, showing them that they too belong in aviation."

Anna R.
Wisconsin

"I am so excited to be in this position of instructing because each day I have the opportunity to continue teaching, learning, and influencing other students about aviation. This scholarship will help me take another step forward in becoming an airline pilot by training for my multi-engine rating."

Victoria E.
Wisconsin

"I am so excited to be in this position of instructing because each day I have the opportunity to continue teaching, learning, and influencing other students about aviation. This scholarship will help me take another step forward in becoming an airline pilot by training for my multi-engine rating."

Joanna P.
New Zealand

"As a female pilot, I understand the significance of representation in aviation. By achieving my multi-engine IFR rating, I hope to inspire others to follow their dreams, proving that with dedication and perseverance, age and gender should never be barriers to success in aviation."

ISA+21 awards the innaugural
Francesca Norris Memorial Scholarships
at the 2020 WAI Conference

Thank you to our all of our donors who continue to make this award possible!