Air Traffic Controller

Air traffic controllers often abbreviated ATC are personnel responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. Usually stationed in air traffic control centers and control towers on the ground, they monitor the position, speed, and altitude of aircraft in their assigned airspace visually and by radar, and give directions to the pilots by radio. The position of air traffic controller is one that requires highly specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. Controllers apply separation rules to keep aircraft at a safe distance from each other in their area of responsibility and move all aircraft safely and efficiently through their assigned sector of airspace, as well as on the ground. Because controllers have an incredibly large responsibility while on duty (often in aviation, "on position") and make countless real-time decisions on a daily basis, the ATC profession is consistently regarded around the world as one of the most mentally challenging careers, and can be notoriously stressful depending on many variables (equipment, configurations, weather, traffic volume, traffic type, human factors, etc.). Many controllers, however, would cite high salaries, and a very large, unique, and privileged degree of autonomy as major advantages of their jobs.

Although the media in the United States frequently refers to them as air controllers, or flight controllers, most air traffic professionals use the term air traffic controllers. They are also called air traffic control officers (ATCOs), air traffic control specialists, or simply controllers. For a more detailed article on the job itself, please see air traffic control.

* Description and images provided by Wikipedia under CC-BY-SA 3.0 license .

Matching Air Traffic Controller Colleges

Green River College

Four or more years; Public; $3,885 average out-state tuition; $3,468 average in-state tuition

University of North Dakota

Four or more years; Public; $18,546 average out-state tuition; $6,946 average in-state tuition

Mt San Antonio College

At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $8,680 average out-state tuition; $1,288 average in-state tuition

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $33,408 average out-state tuition; $33,408 average in-state tuition

Lewis University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $31,100 average out-state tuition; $31,100 average in-state tuition

Sacramento City College

At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $7,104 average out-state tuition

Texas State Technical College

At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $10,080 average out-state tuition; $5,123 average in-state tuition

Scholarships for Air Traffic Controller Majors

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Helene Overly Graduate Scholarship

Women's Transportation Seminar - Puget Sound, WA

$10,000 Varies See Details
 

Helene Overly Graduate Scholarship

Women's Transportation Seminar - Puget Sound, WA

award

$10,000

deadline

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Vorbeck Aviation Scholarship

University of Cincinnati Clermont College

$5,000 Varies See Details
 

Vorbeck Aviation Scholarship

University of Cincinnati Clermont College

award

$5,000

deadline

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Sporty's Foundation Aviation Scholarship

University of Cincinnati Clermont College

Up to $15,000 Varies See Details
 

Sporty's Foundation Aviation Scholarship

University of Cincinnati Clermont College

award

Up to $15,000

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Phillips Aviation Scholarship

University of Cincinnati Clermont College

$5,000 Varies See Details
 

Phillips Aviation Scholarship

University of Cincinnati Clermont College

award

$5,000

deadline

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Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates

WTS International

$5,000 Varies See Details
 

Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates

WTS International

award

$5,000

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Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates

WTS International

$5,000 Varies See Details
 

Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates

WTS International

award

$5,000

deadline

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Lea+Elliott Transportation YOU DC Summit Scholarship

WTS International

$5,000 Varies See Details
 

Lea+Elliott Transportation YOU DC Summit Scholarship

WTS International

award

$5,000

deadline

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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Boeing Scholars Program

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Up to $7,500 Varies See Details
 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Boeing Scholars Program

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

award

Up to $7,500

deadline

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Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship

National Business Aviation Association, Inc. (NBAA)

$4,500 August 13, 2023 See Details
 

Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship

National Business Aviation Association, Inc. (NBAA)

award

$4,500

deadline

August 13, 2023
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Nibs Meldrum Aviation Scholarship

Westminster College, Utah

$3,600 Varies See Details
 

Nibs Meldrum Aviation Scholarship

Westminster College, Utah

award

$3,600

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