The RCAF Foundation Student Scholarships are offered to Canada’s next generation of leaders, and explorers in science and space. Also designed to meet Canada’s rapidly growing demand for skilled people, the scholarships are intended to encourage Canadian youth 25 years of age or younger for studies in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or flight that could lead to future careers in Aviation or Aerospace sectors.
This RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship supports two of our Areas of Focus including engaging young Canadians and working with the aviation and aerospace industry to promote future career opportunities.
A total of 25 $1,000 scholarships were open to any Canadian youth 25 years of age or younger in post secondary education, including flight schools. We are very proud to share for the first time the 25 recipients of the RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship, selected from over 200 applications from across the country.
Due to a generous donation, the Foundation was also able to award an additional 200 scholarships, valued at $500 each, opening the door to the dreams of even more young Canadians.
Thank you to the generous contribution of Deborah Smith, who will support 10 annual scholarships, in memory of Alfred and Barbara Smith, both of whom served Canada during the Second World War.
Thank you to the Chris Allan Legacy Fund, which will support a 2022 scholarship recipient who best embodies the memory of Chris, one of Canada’s Top Guns and a Fighter Weapons Instructor in the RCAF.
Congratulations to these outstanding students! Meet our recipients:
Thanks to the scholarship, my financial burden had been slightly alleviated, which allowed me to focus more on my engineering studies. I was also honoured to receive validation for my career goals in aerospace.
Receiving the RCAF Foundation Scholarship made me feel supported, heard and seen. I felt even more motivated to continue to pursue my dreams of becoming a pilot. The Scholarship has provided me with more than just financial support, I have gained confidence as well.
Receiving this scholarship made me gain a lot of perspective on the future. Before applying, I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do in the future, but nothing concrete. However, in writing the application for this, I had to think of my position in a future world, and it made me realize exactly what I wanted to do. Winning the scholarship helped even more, because it showed me that what I want to do in the future is not crazy, and that I would have people rooting for me and supporting me.

KJ Allen
Whitehorse, YTAlkan Air Academy
Fixed wing pilot

Autumn Bernard
Cochrane, ABCarleton University
Aerospace engineer

Rachel Bernhardt
Winnipeg, MBUniversity of Manitoba
Electrical engineering

Jesse Bertucci
Victoria, BCVancouver Island University & Victoria Flying Club
Engineer

Vincent Bujold-Roux
Ottawa, ONCarleton University
Astronaut/Fighter Pilot/Aerospace Engineer

Graeme Burnard
Thorndale, ONFanshawe College
Aircraft Maintenance engineer/Pilot

Brock Csada
Regina, SKSeneca College
Pilot

Aleck Gabriel Covaci
Burlington, ONUniversity of Waterloo
Pilot

Meagan Daley
Borden, ONSault College
Aviation Technology (Pilot)

Charles Daum
Water Valley, ABMount Royal University
Pilot

Callum French
Greely, ONUniversity of Ottawa
Space Medicine

Brent Henman
Eastern Passage, NSMoncton flight college
Pilot/Aerospace Engineer

Neghat Hidari
Toronto, ONSeneca College
Civil Pilot

Kianna Lavigne
Dartmouth, NSMount Allison University & Moncton Flight College
Pilot

Arnaud Massé
La Prairie, QCÉcole Nationale d'Aérotechnique et CPAQaéro
Aircraft maintenance technician

Kyle Melnikel
Edmonton, ABUniversity of Alberta
Professional Civil Engineer

Sam Newton
Abbotsford, BCCarleton University
Aerospace Engineering

Agnes Niyondezi
Saskatoon, SKMitchinson Flight Centre
Commercial Pilot

Paige Rennison
Ottawa, ONCarleton University / Rockcliffe Flying Club (Flight School)
Military Pilot, Astronaut, Aerospace Engineering Research

Zack Renschler
Pincher Creek, ABCarleton University
Aerospace Engineering

Jeff St. Jean
London, ONWestern University
Aerospace Engineering

Mohammad Shams Sultan
Kingston, ONQueen's University
Electrical/Robotics Engineering

Madeleine Tardif
Barrie, ONMount Allison University
Airline Pilot

Zachary Taylor
Rockwood, ONUniversity of Waterloo
Commercial Pilot

Annie Wang
Repentigny, QCPolytechnique Montréal
Mechanical simulation engineer
Watch the announcement of the 2021 RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship Recipients