Embry-Riddle Asia student awarded aviation scholarship
While financing your education can be a challenge, you may be surprised by the number of public and private aid programs available to students throughout the world. In addition to more traditional options like institutional scholarships and government aid programs, Embry-Riddle students may also qualify for awards from industry groups and associations.
One of those associations, the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT), recently awarded $335,000 in scholarship monies to students in the U.S. and abroad through its foundation. Six of the 46 scholarship recipients are studying at Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, Prescott, and Singapore.
One of the 2015 recipients is Nicholas Soh Cai Yao, an undergraduate aviation business administration student studying at Embry-Riddle Asia. He received an award totaling SGD 19,500 in recognition of his achievements and great potential as a member of the aviation community.
“Coming from a single-parent family, I am extremely grateful to ISTAT and ERAU Asia for offering me the scholarship to alleviate the financial burden and facilitating the process to make this possible,” Nicholas said.
His long-term career goals include working for an aviation authority where he can influence safety management from a regional perspective. Nicholas’ interests include safety and data and trend analysis.
As a third-year student at Embry-Riddle Asia, he’s been impressed with the global perspective Embry-Riddle Asia faculty bring to the classroom. Born and raised in Singapore, he says his Embry-Riddle experience has been eye-opening because of the background of his professors.
“The professors at Embry-Riddle are all experts in their field, and they often have a plethora of knowledge gained from working around the world,” he said. “Students who are immersed in aeronautics would be pleased to know that many professors have flying experience in commercial airlines or in military. Besides that, some of them are also leading aviation leaders and have designed airports.”
He added, “For Singaporean students who are interested, I personally feel that having a chance to interact with professors from other cultures and teaching styles would also be greatly beneficial in your tertiary educational journey and personal growth.”