National Women's Sailing Association - Celebrating 35 years
Mariners Learning System (MLS), the national U.S. Coast Guard approved online provider of boat captain education, will sponsor Eight (8) Scholarships for their MLS  Captain’s License Courses to women desiring to become first-time Licensed Captains needing financial assistance to take the course. National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) committee will administer the program. 

NWSA requires potential candidates to complete and submit the application form, an essay and send in 2 letters of recommendation. Approved candidates must be willing to allow their name and photo to be used in promotional material and social media to encourage other women to continue their own work to achieve their licensing goals. Candidates are requested to write about their experience during and after the course. NWSA would like to keep in touch with their career. Applicants will be added to NWSA eNewsletter list with opt out option, to keep them informed of NWSA activities and women’s sailing and educational programs around the country.

MLS will fund the cost of applicable MLS course fees.

Application period: July 15, 2025 to August 15, 2025
Requirements for candidates: 
1. Candidates must identify as a female.
2. Candidates must be minimum age: 18 years old for OUPV six-pack or 19 years old for 25/50/100 ton Master) 
3. Legal to Work in the U.S. Required
4. Candidates must agree to take the MLS Online exam within one year of course start date.
5. At the time of applying to the Coast Guard for license, after MLS course has been completed and passed, candidates must meet all the license requirements which include additional self-funded certifications like CPR/First Aid, physical exam, TWIC Card, and DOT Drug Test as well as documentation of experience. (full details on www.marinerslearningsystem.com  )
6. Be prepared to choose which captain’s license course you wish to take and if you wish to include the sailing endorsement.

Reference links for requirements:Essay: In 300-400 words, Please include: 
1. Describe why becoming a licensed captain is important to you and how you intend to employ the license (e.g. take charters on my own yacht, work as a captain delivering boats, work for a charter company, etc) 
2. Explain how you are willing to help other women in the sailing community reach their goals and 
3. What progress you have made to reach the other Coast Guard requirements for the license including documented experience. 
4. Include why financial assistance is needed.

Letters of Recommendation: Submit these in the application form.

Applicants will be notified by email when all parts of their application have been received via email by NWSA. Send inquiries to president@womensailing.org. NWSA will notify applicants by October 1, 2025 and thereafter notified by MLS of next step with instructions on how to register for scholarship sponsored course.

NWSA and MLS will keep your personal information confidential including your address and contact information, license information and test scores and results.

MLS will provide the funding for the course cost and associated course fees. Scholarship fee waiver will be made at course application time, after selection for scholarship. English shall be the language used for all correspondence.
                                                                     

To apply, start by completing the application form here.