Reuben H. Fleet Scholarship
The Reuben H. Fleet Scholarship supports the educational goals of high school seniors and AIAA collegiate members in the AIAA - San Diego Section. The scholarship, named in honor of San Diego aviation pioneer Reuben H. Fleet, is awarded annually to a group of students based here in San Diego. Since 1983, the scholarship has provided hundreds of students with thousands of dollars of financial support.
Eligibility
To qualify for the scholarship, you must be a high school senior or college student within San Diego county. There is no minimum GPA to apply, but the scholarship will be awarded based on: academic achievement, interest in AIAA's purpose, leadership/personality and financial need. Previous scholarship recipients are encouraged to apply again, but are encouraged to find a new mentor, thereby increasing their connections.
Important Documents
Reuben H. Fleet Scholarship Rules & Application Website
Frequently Asked Questions
When are applications due?
Applications are due May 1st, 2021.
I don't know any AIAA professional members to sponsor me. What should I do?
Please contact the RHF Scholarship Coordinator (email below) and they would be happy to put you in contact with an AIAA member who can sponsor your application.
RHF Scholarship Coordinator Email
Who can write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?
You must submit two letters; one is from a high school teacher (for high school seniors) or university instructor and one from an AIAA Professional Member. It is highly recommended that the letter is written by a science or math teacher (for high school seniors) or from an instructor from the engineering college.
May an AIAA Professional Member Sponsor more than one student?
No, an AIAA Professional Member may only sponsor one student per scholarship year.
Can letters of recommendation be sent via email?
We prefer to have letters of recommendation uploaded using our website electronic form. Please see our
website for the link.
How many letters of recommendation may an instructor write?
There is no limit of letters of recommendations that an instructor may write, but the instructor, if also an AIAA Professional Member, may only sponsor one student per scholarship year.
If my instructor is also an AIAA Professional Member, and is my sponsor, will the letter of recommendation count for both.
No, you must have letters from different people. In this case you would need to seek out another instructor to write a letter on your behalf.
What are some of the best ways to find an AIAA Professional Member Sponsor?
- Get involved with the AIAA at the branch level at SDSU or UCSD, which will allow easy networking of professionals in industry involved with the AIAA
- An internship in the aerospace industry is a good place to find professional members
- Attend AIAA Professional Member events during the year for networking opportunities
Do I need to submit official transcripts?
Yes. Please upload all documentation using our electronic form. Transcript and documentation may be mailed if
online submission is not possible.
Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship?
- The candidate must be a high school senior residing within the San Diego Section, must be in the upper one-third of his/her class, and must be admitted to an accredited university of his/her choice, OR
- The candidate must be student member of the UCSD or SDSU AIAA Student Chapters.
If I was awarded a scholarship last year, may I apply again?
Yes, and it is encouraged. Prior scholarship recipients may reapply while in college but must compete with the new candidates.
Are graduate students eligible for this scholarship?
Yes
What makes me a member of an AIAA Student Chapter?
Per the AIAA Student Branch Manual, student membership is obtained by registering as a student member of either chapter via www.aiaa.org. Simply attending student chapter activities, events, meetings, paying event fees, etc., does not grant you membership.
Must the items required to apply be sent in one entire package or can they be sent separately?
Your application, personal statement, Reuben H. Fleet essay, and official transcripts should be uploaded
together via our online form (or mailed together if online submittal is not possible). The letters of
recommendation should be uploaded via our online form.
I'm a high school student. Must I be a registered student member of AIAA?
No, but if you are interested in aerospace, you should highly consider it due to the benefits. Visit
https://www.aiaa.org/membership/types-of-membership/high-school-student-membership to find out more about
the benefits of an AIAA high school student membership.