Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority

Aviation Scholarships

Scholarship Purpose

The aviation scholarship is an objective of the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority (the Authority) to recognize, encourage and support an interest in aviation. In support of that objective, the Authority is offering up to $6,000 in scholarship funds per year or to 4 students at $1,500 each. Award of this scholarship will be based upon merit – not need.

Preference is given to WMU College of Aviation students from Iosco, Alcoma, Ogemaw, Arenac, Oscoda, & Alpena Counties. Secondary preference given to students from Northern Michigan or with a desire to live and work in Northern Michigan after graduation.

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Aviation Scholarship Recipient

EARNS LICENSE – Jason Livvix, now a certified licensed private pilot, is pictured above flying his final check ride. Livvix received a $6,000 scholarship from the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority in 2021 and dedicated himself to complete the program in July 2023. With an average cost of $10,000 to $16,000, the challenging and demanding flight training took two years and 60 hours to complete. Pictured below, from left, after receiving his license are, Jamie Downes, prior Director of Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority, director, Livvix, and Mike Munson, CFII instructor for Phoenix Flight Services.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for award of this scholarship the applicant:

  • Must be enrolled in High School or be employed in Alcona County or Iosco County
  • Must be at least 16 on April 1, 2023 (under age 18 must have parental/guardian approval to apply)
  • Must be a full-time resident of Alcona County or Iosco County, Michigan 
  • For pilot training, the applicant must be able to meet the standards of a FAA Third Class Medical Certificate
  • For tuition scholarship, the applicant must be enrolled or accepted in an aerospace education curriculum of a college, university or vocational school


Immediate family members, dependents and all others living in the same household with any Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority Board Member and/or Employee are not eligible.

Application Requirements
  • Provide a completed application form. In order to complete the application form, you will also need to conduct research within Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR), Part 61. Listed Below.
  • High School students shall provide a completed authorization form for releasing your high school transcript and attendance records. Students under age 18 must also have this form signed for approval from your parent or guardian
  • Schedule and complete an interview with your employer. During your interview, get a Statement of Recommendation form, listed below, from your employer and ask them to return it directly to the authority
  • High School Students must schedule and complete an interview with the County Commissioner representing their district, listed below. During the interview, get a Statement of Recommendation and request the Commissioner to return this form directly to the Authority. Please schedule appointments with Commissioners from Alcona County by calling (989) 724-9410, or for Iosco County Commissioners call (989) 362-4212

Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR), Part 61 (Download)
County Commissioner Statement of Recommendation
Employer Statement of Recommendation

Evaluation Criteria

The following items will be evaluated by the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority’s Scholarship Selection Committee:

  • Completeness, accuracy and legibility of application
  • Employer and/or County Commissioner’s Recommendation
  • School academic and work performance is indicative of the applicant’s capability for successful completion of flight training and/or college education
  • School and/or work discipline record is indicative of applicant’s likelihood to operate an aircraft safely and in accordance with aviation rules and regulations
Selection Process

The Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority’s Selection Committee will score applications. The highest-ranking applicants will be invited to interview with the Selection Committee. Based on the results of the interview, the Selection Committee will recommend one applicant, along with an alternate, to the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority Board of Directors for award of the scholarship.

The award is anticipated to be determined at the Authority’s Regular Meeting. In the event the primary applicant(s) is unable to meet the requirements of the FAA Third Class Medical Certificate or does not pursue aerospace related college, university or vocational education, The Authority may choose to transfer the scholarship award to the selected alternate.

The Authority also reserves the right to not award this scholarship if, in its opinion, there are insufficient qualified applicants. 

Allowable Scholarship Expenses
  • FAA Third Class Medical Examination
  • Aircraft rental for flight training
  • Ground and Flight instructions from an instructor that is licensed by the State of Michigan
  • Pilot Log Book (To be provided by Authority)
  • Pilot Training Materials (To be provided by Authority)
  • Tuition fees for aerospace related education at a college, university or vocational school
Responsibilities of Scholarship Recipient
  • Make and keep all flying and ground instruction appointments. If an appointment is broken, notify the instructor at least twelve (12) hours in advance. At the discretion of the Authority, the scholarship could be forfeited for repeated failures to meet scheduled training appointments
  • Schedule flight-training hours so as to complete training in a reasonable time
  • Payment for all allowable scholarship expenses will be made directly by the Authority. Payment will not be made for any unused expenses if the recipient cannot finish or quits training 
  • Recipient and his/her parent and/or guardian will be required to execute a Scholarship Acceptance Agreement, including a Release of Liability, Release of Medical Information, and authorization to use the recipient’s name and likeness in Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport promotional material


Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority, shall not discriminate as it relates to any applicant, on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin, as it relates to all purposes to which this scholarship is intended.

Start Your Application Today!

The Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority reserves the right to withdraw its offer of this Scholarship at any time, and for any reason. If you have questions, or require additional information, contact the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority at (989) 739-1111.