The Tailhook Educational Foundation (TEF) is a California based 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. TEF’s charter includes educating the public on United States Navy Carrier Aviation and its importance to our country's national security and providing scholarships to Naval Aviation legacy undergraduate students who earn them. TEF awards over 150 scholarships annually averaging more than $5,000 per grant with our top two grants awarded at $ 20,000 per year each. A number of our TEF grants are earned by students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum. All TEF grants assist Naval Aviation legacy undergraduate students obtain a higher education. 

TEF scholarships are only made possible each year by the continued generosity of our individual and organizational donors.

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Donations to TEF can be deductible as charitable contributions each year. The TEF Tax ID is: 33-00487778

In 2026, TEF provided over $800,000 in scholarship funds, averaging over $5,000 per grant, to 158 of Naval Aviation best and brightest students.  Amongst these students who earned scholarships this year were four Gold Star students who lost their parent-sponsor while they were still serving on active duty and four former or currently serving on active duty Enlisted personnel.