Highlights of the EAA Ray Scholarship Flight Training Program
Through the generous support of The Ray Foundation, EAA International provides multiple Ray Scholarships up to $11,000 to deserving youth for flight training expenses totaling nearly $1,600,000 in scholarships annually. The program is administered by EAA chapters chosen annually by EAA International and supports more than 150 scholars annually.
Chapter 1414 has been awarded four Ray Scholarships since the program began in 2019.
The Ray Scholarship is available to individuals between the ages of 15 to 19 years of age.
- Age 15-19 for glider training scholarship - $5,500 maximum
- Age 16-19 for powered flight training – Private Pilot or Sport Pilot - $11,000 or $8,250 maximum
- Applicants must be under the age of 20 when initiating scholarship training so it is advisable that persons not apply if they will be 20 prior to June 30, 2024.
A Ray Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving individual that demonstrates not only an interest but a passion for aviation and is eager to obtain a license as a Private Pilot, Sport Pilot, or a Glider Pilot and can demonstrate that determination and commitment to follow the program to completion. Additional consideration will be given to candidates who are former Young Eagles, EAA student members, or actively participating in the EAA Young Eagles Flight Plan (i.e. participating in the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course), persons that have initiated flight training and those who have pursued other activities which promote educational training such as attendance in ground school classes or is taking on-line ground school orientation.
The Chapter will accept Ray Scholarship applications beginning in January 2024, as the Chapter is anticipating being announced by EAA International as a Ray Scholarship provider for 2024. Individual’s applications will be accepted through March 15, 2024. Upon the Chapter’s selection by EAA International the process of application reviews and interviews will continue into April and the Chapter’s selected candidate will be announced by mid-April 2024.
Following selection by the Chapter the applicant will be required to:
- Have or obtain a valid FAA Medical
- Have or obtain a FAA Student Pilot Certificate
Once the candidate meets the above criteria the candidate will be recommended to EAA International through an application process. If approved by EAA, the scholarship recipient is expected to comply with the following requirements:
- Partake in two hours of chapter volunteer service per month, such as: Young Eagles rally volunteering, volunteer at pancake breakfast/fly-ins, Chapter build project support, Chapter gatherings participation, Chapter social media and website maintenance
- Submit regular progress reports during monthly check-ins
- Reach designated flight training milestones, as outlined by EAA's training timeline:
- Start Training within 2 months of EAA International approval
- Solo within 4 months of starting training
- Pass Written Knowledge Test within 6 months of starting
- Pass Practical Flight Test for appropriate license within 1 year of starting training
To discuss details with a Chapter 1414 representative Please email your request to: eaa1414rayscholarship@gmail.com
2024 EAA Chapter 1414 Ray Scholarship
Chapter 1414 will begin accepting 2024 Ray Scholarship applications in January 2024 after the application link is established below. Applications will be accepted through March 15, 2024
- Application Link: TBD
- Ray Foundation Background:
- EAA Ray Scholarship Information:
https://www.eaa.org/eaa/eaa-chapters/chaptergram-articles/2022-06-21-ray-aviation-scholarship
