Interested in donating to the Norm J. Crabtree Scholarship?  We can accept donations via a credit card, click the button below, or via check.  Please send your check to Ohio Aviation Foundation, 65 E. State Street, Suite 1800, Columbus, OH 43215.

History of Norman J. Crabtree

Norman J. Crabtree was a lifelong aviator and committed many years to the development and support of civil aviation, numerous aviation organizations, and air shows around the world. He was a graduate of Ohio University with both a bachelor’s and master's degree and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.  Norman retired, after 29 years, as the Deputy Director for Aviation with the Ohio Department of Transportation.  He was a former instructor at Ohio University and The Ohio State University, and an aviation advisor at Miami University and Columbus State. He was a Veteran who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII, 8th Air Force, 2nd Air Division, 453 Bomb Group, England; Ohio and Michigan Air National Guard; and USAF.  In addition, Norman was a longtime and highly respected consultant and advisor to the FAA and NTSB, a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, USAF Association, AOPA, and Boy Scouts of America.  

"During his long tenure as Ohio aviation deputy director, Norm was noted for his innovative and practical solutions and his advocacy for an airport in every county," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We will all miss his passion for general aviation."

In recognition of his dedication and passion for aviation, the Ohio Aviation Association is proud to support the future of Ohio’s aviation community through the Norman J. Crabtree Memorial Aviation Scholarship. 

Details of Scholarship

Award Amounts

This year, we may award up to four (4) scholarships:

• Two (2) scholarships may be awarded in the amount of $2,500 each to an enrolled (or to be enrolled) aviation degree-seeking student at one of Ohio's colleges or universities.  The areas of study include, but are not limited to Flight Technologies, Aviation Engineering, Aviation Management, and Aviation Maintenance.

• Two (2) scholarships may be awarded in the amount of $1,000 each to an enrolled (or to be enrolled) certificate-seeking A&P student at one of Ohio's technical colleges, universities, or technical trade schools.

• Applicants are eligible to win only one scholarship.

• As an added benefit, the OAA Board of Directors will invite scholarship recipients to serve a one-year term as ad-hoc, non-voting members of the Board of Directors.  This term would begin at the 2025 OAA Annual Business Meeting (held at the hotel on May 6, 2025) through the 2026 OAA Business Meeting.

Past scholarship recipients are encouraged to apply, provided that they still meet all eligibility requirements.  Any flight training program must be associated with a degree program (i.e., Part 141 Program). Any maintenance program must be through an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician program.

General Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be:
• • accepted* or enrolled in a two-year or four-year aviation-related degree program at an accredited Ohio college or university for the 2025 Fall Semester for the $2,500 scholarship.
    OR
  • accepted* or enrolled in a certificated program at an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school or program in Ohio for the 2025 Fall Semester for the $1,000 scholarship.
• A $25 application fee will go towards the scholarship fund.  This application fee will be waived for students applying from OAA member schools.

• Applicant must be a student member of the Ohio Aviation Association (you can join for free during your application process).
• Applicant must be a registered voter in Ohio (go here if you are not yet registered).
• Applicant must complete all components of the application process. 

Selection

Applicants will be shortlisted by the Scholarship Selection Committee on the basis of meeting eligibility requirements, academic records, recommendation letters, and an essay on educational and career goals.  OAA will verify voter registration on the Secretary of State's website.

In principle and in practice, OAA values and seeks diverse and inclusive participation from the aviation business community. OAA promotes involvement and expanded access to leadership opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, cultural identity, disability, appearances, geographic location, professional level, political views, or affiliations, except where specifically stated otherwise.

To Apply

1. Complete the online application form. Click here to start your application (this link will be live on or before December 16, 2024).

2. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation which can speak to your ability to achieve your academic and aviation-related goals. One of the letters must be from a school-related individual; the other must be from a work or community/extracurricular-related individual.  Letters of recommendation must include the following information about the person providing the recommendation: name, title, address, contact number, e-mail address, and signature. 

3. Submit proof of current acceptance or enrollment in an accredited Ohio technical college or university. *Note: If a scholarship applicant has not received official acceptance into the institution as of the time of the application, please indicate such by providing a letter, with your signature, that you will provide proof by the deadline. If you are selected for a scholarship, proof of acceptance or enrollment must be received by OAA at oaa@ohioaviation.org by April 3, 2025 or you risk forfeiture of your award.

4. Submit an educational transcript. If the applicant has not completed a full year of university or college courses (at least half-time enrollment), the applicant should also submit a high school transcript. If the applicant has completed a full year of university or college courses (at least half-time enrollment), then the applicant needs only submit a current university or college transcript.

5. Submit a one-page essay on your career goals, highlighting how the scholarship funds will help to achieve them. Preference will be given to applicants who convey to the Scholarship Committee how achieving their career goals will benefit Ohio’s aviation community and/or industry.

Recipient Notification

All notifications will follow the schedule outlined in the "Important Dates" section below. Scholarship recipients will be announced at the Annual Conference and featured on the website and other social media venues. By completing the scholarship application, the applicant agrees, if awarded a scholarship, to allow OAA use of their application information for promotional purposes.   

If selected, scholarship funds will be provided to the program school directly for deposit into the student's account. For this reason, each applicant's full and accurate name and address are necessary for the application process. Any inaccurate information may cause your scholarship funding to be delayed or rescinded if the university or program school cannot verify an active account. OAA will not be responsible for the loss of scholarship funds due to inaccurate information provided in the application.

Important Dates

• Application Availability Announced by December 16, 2024
• Applications Due: February 7, 2025
  
• Notification of shortlisted applicants for interview: February 24 to March 7, 2025
• Interviews of shortlisted applicants: March 10-21, 2025
• Awardee Notification(s): April 7-11, 2025
• Awardees will be recognized at the 2025 OAA Annual Conference at the Renaissance Downtown Columbus held May 6 - 8, 2025

Prior to submitting your application, ensure all items to be submitted are in a pdf (.pdf) or Word document (.doc) format.  If you have any questions about this process, don't hesitate to contact us at oaa@ohioaviation.org!

Notes: OAA reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship and to make changes at any time, including termination, to the scholarship program. Previously approved scholarships will not be affected by subsequent changes to the program. OAA reserves the right to award no scholarships, one scholarship, or both scholarships, depending upon applications received.