Reba Gilman Endowed Scholarship

The Reba Gilman Endowed Scholarship is for female-identifying high school students pursuing post-secondary education in STEM and aerospace-related fields of study. Two students will receive a $5000 scholarship. Funds will be paid directly to the college/university and may be used for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, student fees, books, room and board, and supplies or equipment required for enrollment.

Eligibility Requirements

• be a high school senior
• have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
• have participated in at least 40 hours of programs supported by The Museum of Flight, for example, Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS), Museum Teen Volunteers, Private Pilot Ground School, Aeronautical Science Pathway, Raisbeck Aviation High School, and/or other programs sponsored by the Museum.
• Recipient and at least one parent/guardian must attend the Scholarship Celebration scheduled for May 8, 2025

General Scholarship Information

• Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need.
• Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate experience with and future commitment to academic excellence, dedication to STEM and/or aerospace curriculum, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to one’s community
• Recipients must enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in a college, university or other post-secondary institution located in the U.S. by Fall 2025.
• At the time of declaring a major, recipients must indicate a major in a field of science, engineering, or mathematics that is clearly connected to the field of aerospace (e.g., Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Science, Commercial Flight, Astrophysics, Astronautics, Global Security).
• Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the college, university or other post-secondary institution and may be used for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, student fees, books, room and board, and supplies or equipment required for enrollment.
• A recipient who receives a full scholarship from another organization following receipt of a Museum of Flight scholarship must immediately notify scholarships@museumofflight.org.

This scholarship is made possible by donors in honor of Reba Gilman. Reba, who served as the former VP of Education at The Museum of Flight and founding Principal/CEO of Raisbeck Aviation High School (RAHS), is a quintessential educator. She has served as a business and marketing teacher, a career and technical education administrator, a private sector consultant as well as owner and operator of a retail business. It is the combination of these skills and experiences and her entrepreneurial spirit which led Reba to develop the innovative high school to facilitate learning in the context of what interested and motivates students. The creation of RAHS was an experiment in public education that crossed district and political boundaries, creating a new model for education delivery. The donors want to encourage students with the same entrepreneurial spirit as Reba to pursue their goals with this scholarship.

Two essays are required as part of the Reba Gilman Endowed Scholarship

• In 350-words, how would you define an “entrepreneurial spirit” and explain how it is reflected in you.
• A 1,000 word response to the question: Why do you want to pursue a course of study in science, engineering, or mathematics that leads to a career in aviation or aerospace? In your essay, please tell us how you acquired your interests and what you have done so far to prepare for your post-high school pursuit of an aviation/aerospace degree and entry into the aviation/aerospace workforce. Be specific about your long-term goals, and their connections to flight, space, and/or engineering.