Urban Pilots Networks & Professionals Network

This Year's Winners

Receiving the Urban Pilots and Professionals Network Scholarship sponsored by Air Canada has allowed me to successfully complete my Commercial Pilot License. Anyone who has had to juggle multiple jobs while completing flight training knows how stressful and often difficult it can be especially with flying consistently. I am incredibly thankful to have been awarded this scholarship as I now pursue my Flight Instructor Rating. Thank you UPN and Air Canada for your continued support!

Neghat HidariAir Canada Scholarship

Receiving the UPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship has had a major impact on my flight training this year. I was able to complete my Private Pilot's License! I am currently completing my night rating training and also working towards my Commercial Pilot's License. The financial support provided by UPN and DNDF eased a lot of the pressure and allowed me to focus on flying consistently, building both skill and confidence as I move closer to my goal of becoming a professional airline pilot.

Kimani HaydenUPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship

I’m Luiza Da Cunha from Goa, India! I work as a flight instructor at Durham Flight Centre in Oshawa. The UPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence scholarship was very instrumental in helping me to complete the final stages of my training and to begin my first job as a professional pilot. I enjoy volunteering at aviation events whenever I can to inspire young women and show them that they, too, can achieve their goals in aviation. his aviation career to create opportunities for others to discover the beauty in aviation and chase their aspirations.

Luiza Da CunhaUPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship

Receiving the Aviation Excellence Scholarship Award has had a meaningful impact on my flight training this year. With this financial support I was able to complete the requirements for my Group 1 Instrument Rating. This support not only eased the cost of advanced training but also gave me the confidence and momentum to keep pushing forward and successfully graduate this year. I’m truly grateful for UPN & The Dream Never Dies Foundation and the opportunities this scholarship has helped make possible.

Malik ShwehdiUPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship

It was an absolute honour and blessing to be a recipient of the 2025 UPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship. Not only did it provide financial assistance, but it also gave me inspiration to keep pushing through the struggles of reaching my goal of becoming an airline pilot.

Stephon LamyUPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship

I am an aviation maintenance professional completing my final semester in an Advanced Diploma in Aviation Maintenance at Centennial College. Receiving the UPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship helped in covering my final semester tuition, allowing me to stay focused on my training and professional growth. I am very grateful for the support and remain committed to giving back to the aviation community that continues to inspire my journey.

Chidozie OgodoUPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship

Receiving the UPN and Dream Never Dies Foundation Aviation Excellence Scholarship has been tremendously impactful for me. The support from both organizations has allowed me to focus on completing my CPL time-building with significantly reduced financial stress. I am currently preparing for my CPL flight test and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, which has been invaluable in helping me progress toward my aviation goals.

Timothy OkwiiUPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship

Overview

Beginning this scholarship season, Urban Pilots Network and Professional Network is thrilled to offer four scholarships and one bursary to its members aspiring to pursue a career in aviation:

Aviation Excellence Sponsorship in partnership with the Dream Never Dies Foundation.
Air Canada Scholarship in partnership with Air Canada.
WestJet UPN Scholarship in partnership with WestJet.
Savanna May Royes Aviation Safety Grant in partnership with the Royes Family.
Major Marlene Shillingford Bursary in partnership with Elevate Aviation.

Applicants may apply to multiple scholarships or bursary for the same calendar year. All available scholarships make possible the attainment of an Aviation Bachelor's degree, a two- year Aviation Diploma, or pilot license/certifications. Winners are determined in a competition among eligible applicants, that is judged by a UPN Scholarship Committee.

Aviation Excellence Scholarship:

In partnership with the Dream Never Dies Foundation (DNDF), this scholarship is open each year to Urban Pilots Network (UPN) members who have successfully participated in UPN community programs offered throughout the Greater Toronto Area and who aspire towards professional careers in aviation. Awards for scholarship recipients start at a minimum of $1,000 but vary from year to year. Multiple applicants can receive different levels of awards based on the strength of their application.

Air Canada Scholarship:

In partnership with Air Canada, this scholarship is awarded to one individual yearly. The objective of the Air Canada Scholarship is to provide financial support for Urban Pilots Network members who aspire towards professional careers as commercial pilots or aircraft maintenance engineers at Air Canada. The Air Canada Scholarship is funded solely by Air Canada, with a yearly pledged amount of $2,000. All funds are held in a bank account by Air Canada and distributed via cheque directly to the recipient.

WestJet UPN Scholarship:

WestJet is proud to contribute CAD $2000 to the Urban Pilots and Professionals Network, to be equally distributed between two scholarship recipients. Two scholarships, each valued at CAD $1000, will be awarded in this year for one student pursuing Commercial Pilot Training and one student pursuing education or training in the field of Aircraft Maintenance or Aerospace Engineering.

Savanna May Royes Aviation Safety Grant:

The Savanna May Royes Aviation Safety Grant is a posthumous award in partnership with the Royes family; In memory of Savanna May Royes. The Savanna May Royes Aviaiton Safety Grant is $2,000 annually. Funds will be distributed by The Dream Never Dies Foundation to be used towards the attendance and completion of an Aviation Safety Course with Bombardier. Remaining funds (TBD) will be used towards flight training/apprenticeship materials.

Major Marlene Shillingford Bursary:

Elevate Aviation, in collaboration with the Urban Pilots and Professionals Network (UPN), proudly presents the Major Marlene Shillingford Bursary. This bursary is dedicated to supporting Black and racialized women pursuing careers in aviation, providing financial assistance to help remove barriers and create opportunities for success in the industry. Elevate Aviation is proud to support the bursary by contributing $1,000 annually as well as an annual membership for Echo, our mentorship and professional development program. This contribution aligns with our shared commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity in aviation. UPN will match the bursary fund, offering a total of $2,000 to the chosen recipient.

Applications open Jan 1, 2026 and close April 1, 2026.

UPN Scholarships

This Year's Winners

It was an absolute honour and blessing to be a recipient of the 2025 UPN/DNDF Aviation Excellence Scholarship. Not only did it provide financial assistance, but it also gave me inspiration to keep pushing through the struggles of reaching my goal of becoming an airline pilot.

Overview

Applying for scholarships