The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship is a scholarship program that is funded by the Ray Foundation, managed by EAA, and administered through the EAA Chapter network. Through the generous support of the Ray Foundation, EAA provides up to $12,000 to deserving youths to help cover their flight training expenses, totaling $1,800,000 in annual scholarship funding.
EAA chapters apply for a scholarship, and if approved, the chapter then awards the scholarship to a youth or young adult to help them become a pilot. In addition to scholarship funding, the chapter also helps mentor the scholar and supports them on their path to becoming a licensed pilot.
EAA Chapter 515 is proud to participate in the Ray Aviation Scholarship program. Each year Chapter 515 applies for a Scholarship, in each of the last two years we have received a scholarship to award to a local young perspective pilot.
Our 2025 Ray Aviation Scholarship winner, Micah Beaufore, passed her FAA practical exam and received her FAA Airman's Certificate on Saturday June 20th, 2026. Micah will be attending Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) this fall and is planning a career as a commercial pilot.
We recently awarded our 2026 Ray Aviation Scholarship to Zachary Jackson. Zach has already earned his FAA Part 107 UAS license and has begun his flight training with Leading Edge Flight Training at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport.
This year Chapter 515 has also awarded a partial scholarship of $6,000 from our own funds to Addison Soffe. Addison has also begun her flight training with Leading Edge Flight Training.
Northern Colorado youth interested in applying for a future Ray Aviation Scholarship through Chapter 515 should review the requirements below and visit EAA.org/RayScholarship
Local candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Age 16-19
- Possession of a student pilot certificate (visit a local flight school to apply for this)
- Possession of at least a 3rd Class FAA Medical Certificate (www.faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification)
- Received at least one EAA Young Eagles flight
- Able to begin their flight training within 30 days of scholarship start date (the last day of the month in which the scholar was approved by EAA)
Additional considerations:
- Multiple Young Eagle flights
- National EAA student membership
- Actively participating in the EAA Young Eagles Flight Plan, specifically the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.
- Participation in activities that actively demonstrate a serious interest in aviation
- Aviation courses, ground school, introduction flight, flight training
- Aviation clubs
- Flight simulators, RC aircraft
- Aviation camps (https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/eaa-aviation-and-flight-summer-camps)
- Participation in EAA Chapter 515 activities.
- Have a plan to continue flying after you earn your Airman's Certificate.
