The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is partnering with Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Queens on a new scholarship program, part of the agency’s continuing effort to provide opportunities for local communities to share in the economic benefits of LaGuardia Airport’s ongoing redevelopment program.

This unique initiative will provide local residents the opportunity to compete for a tuition-free college education in the aviation field, with the promise of a full-time position in Aviation Operations at the Port Authority airports upon graduation and help to the Port Authority in filling critical managerial positions in the years ahead.

Six incoming freshmen in the 2019-2020 academic year will qualify for full, four-year scholarships. In addition to qualifying for a position with the Port Authority upon graduation, scholarship recipients will be offered paid internships at the Port Authority airports during the summers of their enrollment at Vaughn.

“With ongoing redevelopment at LaGuardia, it is critical that the Port Authority continue to invest in talent from the surrounding communities, to help them take part in the opportunities that the new LaGuardia Airport will present,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This program would not be possible without a strong, productive partnership between local elected officials and the Port Authority.”

“We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to partner with the Port Authority on the redevelopment scholarship program,” said Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo, the president of Vaughn. “Our long-term relationship with the Port Authority and La Guardia Airport, and our mission of providing a transformative education with a lifetime of opportunity for every student, will continue to flourish while Queens residents share in the benefit of LaGuardia’s redevelopment.”

To be eligible for a scholarship, students must reside in Queens County. Preference in the application process will be given to residents of the following zip codes: 11369 (East Elmhurst), 11370 (East Elmhurst, Astoria) and 11105 (Astoria). Secondary preference will be given to residents of the following zip codes: 11368 (Corona, Willets Point), 11102 (Astoria) and 11103 (Astoria).

Scholarship recipients would need to be enrolled in any four-year degree program and:

• Remain enrolled full-time at Vaughn College continuously;
• Maintain a cumulative minimum grade point average of 3.0;
• Successfully complete Vaughn’s Career Development Seminar;
• Participate in Vaughn’s Leadership Academy.

Additional eligibility criteria and scholarship applications will be published later this summer and be posted to the Vaughn College and Port Authority websites. Scholarship winners will be chosen by a joint Vaughn College/Port Authority panel.