Embry-Riddle, Breaking Down Barriers Partner to Expand Education Opportunities

Texas nonprofit gains access to ERAU degrees.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, January 26, 2026 at 01:45 PM ET

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Edited By:

Zach Vasile

Flight training. [Credit: Daryl LaBello/Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]

Key Takeaways:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) has partnered with the nonprofit Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) to offer financially disadvantaged students access to ERAU Worldwide campus degrees.
This collaboration allows students in BDB's pilot training program to pursue bachelor's or associate degrees in aeronautics or pilot operations concurrently with their flight training, providing flexible academic pathways.
Breaking Down Barriers, founded in 2024, aims to help qualified individuals overcome financial and systemic obstacles to becoming airline pilots by providing scholarships for expensive flight training.

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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has launched a partnership with a nonprofit that will give financially disadvantaged students access to degrees offered by the ERAU Worldwide campus.

Students enrolled in the Dallas-based Breaking Down Barriers pilot training program will have a choice of a Bachelor of Science degree in pilot operations, an associate degree in science in aeronautics, and a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics.