clear prop,
Is it discrimination? Yes. But then, so is the fact that most scholarships/sponsorship schemes have an upper age limit. So is the fact that many scholarships are for fixed wing pilots only, which counts out us rotary addicts. So is the fact that the Whirly-Girls (International Women Helicopter Pilots) have a scholarship for a non-US Whirly-Girl (hey, I'm in with a chance on that one <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> ). And I'm sure they're not the only organisation doing that sort of thing.
Organisations which give away money can make the rules; it's their money. Most pick and choose, and yes, it's discrimination. Is it right? Probably not, but it's their money. And I don't begrudge ANYONE who manages to get some of that and use it to follow their dream.
I say "probably not" rather than "no" because in the case of women, I've found from my own experience that there's still a huge amount of prejudice around in aviation. It really came as a shock to me to discover that was the case; I wasn't expecting it. So possibly, just possibly, all the odd scholarship does is redress the balance. But is it fair, speaking objectively? No, of course not. But then, not much is, either in aviation or in life. <img src="frown.gif" border="0"> Better get used to the idea.