Al Conklin and Bill de Decker Business Aviation Management Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by National Business Aviation Association

Description

The Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship is a competitive undergraduate award that supports students pursuing careers in business aviation management. It was created to encourage professional development in the industry and to connect promising students with the business aviation community. The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis and intended for students enrolled in accredited aviation management programs. Recipients are selected based on academic standing and completion of a required application package.

- **Purpose:** Support undergraduates pursuing business aviation management careers.
- **Audience:** Students in collegiate aviation management programs.
- **Frequency:** Awarded annually.
- **Selection basis:** Academic standing plus application materials.

Eligibility

Eligibility is based on enrollment status, academic progress, and residency. Applicants must be full-time undergraduates who are enrolled in—or accepted to—an aviation management program at a two- or four-year institution affiliated with the University Aviation Association. Candidates must have reached rising-sophomore standing or higher and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, awardees must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

- **Enrollment:** Full-time undergraduate in a UAA-affiliated aviation management program.
- **Class standing:** Rising sophomore or higher.
- **Academic requirement:** Minimum GPA 3.0.
- **Residency:** U.S. citizen or permanent resident required.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete application package that documents academic achievement, experience, and motivation for a career in business aviation management. The required materials are an essay, a current resume, an unofficial transcript, and one signed letter of recommendation. Incomplete packages will not be considered, so applicants should follow NBAA submission instructions closely. Direct questions about the application process should be sent to the administering organization.

- **Required documents:** Essay, resume, unofficial transcript, one signed letter of recommendation.
- **Completion:** Only complete packages are reviewed.
- **Inquiries:** Direct questions to scholarships@nbaa.org.
- **Frequency limit:** Applicants are eligible to receive one award per person every other year (administrative policy).

Award Value

The scholarship provides up to $5,000 to help cover educational costs for the recipient during the academic year. Awards are paid as scholarships and checks are issued to the recipient’s school rather than directly to the student. The award amount is intended to defray tuition, fees, or other institution-approved educational expenses. The scholarship supports undergraduate academic-year expenses only.

- **Maximum amount:** Up to $5,000.
- **Payment method:** Check made payable to the recipient’s school.
- **Purpose:** For tuition, fees, or school-approved educational expenses.
- **Term covered:** Awarded for the academic year.

Application Timeline and Notification

Selection and award notification take place on an annual schedule in the fall, coinciding with NBAA events and academic planning cycles. The scholarship is intended to fund the upcoming academic year, and recipients are announced following the selection committee’s review of completed applications. Exact application deadlines and announcement dates are set each year by the administering organization and posted with the application materials. Applicants should monitor NBAA communications for the current year’s timeline.

- **Selection period:** Annual review with awards announced in the fall.
- **Intended use:** Funds applied to the upcoming academic year.
- **Deadlines:** Specific dates published annually by NBAA.
- **Notification:** Winners announced after committee review, typically during NBAA events.

Use of Funds and Conditions

Recipients must use scholarship funds in accordance with the award terms and by the deadline specified by the administering organizations. For specified award cycles, recipients may be required to use funds by a stated date (for example, recipients in earlier cycles were required to use funds by Dec. 31, 2027). Failure to use funds by the stated deadline can result in forfeiture of the award. The scholarship is awarded without regard to sex, race, religion, or national origin.

- **Use-by requirement:** Funds must be used by the deadline stated in award terms.
- **Forfeiture risk:** Unused funds after the deadline may be forfeited.
- **Non-discrimination:** Awards made without regard to sex, race, religion, or national origin.
- **Award frequency policy:** Recipients are limited to one award per person every other year.

History of the Award

The scholarship was established in 2007 by Conklin & de Decker in coordination with the National Business Aviation Association to honor the legacy of Alan H. Conklin, a long-time business aviation leader and U.S. Air Force veteran. In 2014 the award was renamed to also recognize Bill de Decker for his contributions to the industry and the firm he co-founded with Conklin. The founders of Conklin & de Decker pioneered aircraft operating cost and performance analysis that has influenced business aviation management practices. The scholarship continues to commemorate their work by investing in the next generation of industry professionals.

- **Established:** 2007 to honor Alan H. Conklin.
- **Renaming:** 2014 change added recognition for Bill de Decker.
- **Founders’ contribution:** Pioneers in aircraft cost and performance data (Aircraft Cost Evaluator).
- **Purpose of naming:** Honor longstanding industry leadership and management advocacy.

Administration and Contact

The scholarship is administered by the National Business Aviation Association in coordination with Conklin & de Decker and supporting partners. NBAA Charities and partner organizations manage the application process, selection, and disbursement according to published guidelines. For application instructions, timeline details, and submission procedures, applicants should consult NBAA materials and contact the scholarship office directly. The primary contact for questions is scholarships@nbaa.org.

- **Administrator:** National Business Aviation Association (with Conklin & de Decker).
- **Supporting organizations:** NBAA Charities and partner sponsors.
- **Application resources:** Published by NBAA each award cycle.
- **Contact email:** scholarships@nbaa.org.