Ray Aviation Scholarship

The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund 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 (increased for 2025) to deserving youths to cover their flight training expenses, totaling $1,550,000 in scholarships annually.  Since 2022, EAA Chapter 857 has been awarded each year the opportunity to select and mentor a candidate for pursuit of their private pilot certificate.

This scholarship program, seeks to improve the flight training success rate from the current industry standards of 20 percent to 80 percent for program participants. Local EAA chapters are responsible for identifying youth for the Ray Aviation Scholarship program and mentoring them through flight training. The Ray Foundation is furthering the legacy of James C. Ray, an EAA lifetime member who was dedicated to aviation and youth education. 

Since its introduction in 2019, the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has allowed over 180 youths to complete their flight training and receiving their pilot licenses. The program has been consistently meeting and exceeding its expected 80% success rate each year.  The Scholarship Funds can be used for any cost directly associated with flight training, such as aircraft rental, CFI fees, aircraft fuel, flying club dues, check-ride fees, and non-owners aircraft insurance.  The program is supported by more than 150 EAA chapters, and was expected to fund nearly 160 scholars in 2022.

In 2025, EAA Chapter 857 will choose and support one scholar, between the ages of 16 and 19, in the form of funding and mentorship to help him or her earn their pilot certificate.  If you are interested please download and save the application form linked below, fill it out and return it to EAA Chapter 857 as directed in the form.

EAA 857 2023 Ray Aviation Scholarship Recipient Achieves his Private Pilot Certificate

The Award was part of the annual $1.8 million Ray Aviation Scholarship program 

Colin Daniello of Mars, PA  who was awarded a unique full-scholarship opportunity for flight training by EAA Chapter 857 of Butler, PA has achieved his Private Pilots Certificate.  The Ray Aviation Scholarship program is administered by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin through their chapter network.  Since its introduction in 2019, the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has allowed over 350 youths to complete their flight training and receive their pilot licenses. This is the second Ray Aviation Scholarship received by Chapter 857 thereby bringing thousands of dollars in flight training to our local flight schools.

In addition to this scholarship, Chapter 857 has, for over a decade, offered EAA Air Academy Scholarships to Butler-area youth. These scholarships offer an aviation-focused, summer-camp like experience in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There is no better way to exposure youth to Aviation and Aerospace opportunities than by participating in an EAA Air Academy event.    

Colin, EAA 857's second Ray Scholar, is now attending the University of North Dakota in pursuit of his aviation career goals.  Naomi Wigley, our first awardee passed her private pilot check ride in December 2022 and is also pursuing her further education in Texas. Congratulations are due to both of these young aviators!

Introducing EAA 857's 2024 Ray Aviation Scholar Samantha Burke

Samantha says "I have had a passion for flying and a fascination with airplanes ever since I took my first flight on a Boeing down to Florida. Something about the views and the thought of being able to fly this far above the ground in a heavy piece of equipment had me interested. I knew I wanted to get a job in aviation but had no idea what I wanted to be. I am a person who loves to know how things work and likes to experience new things so with some research and thinking, I felt becoming a pilot would be the perfect option for me. My goal in the future is to obtain my ATP license to become an airline pilot. I would love to have the experience of flying people around the world and meeting new people on every flight I take. I cannot thank the Ray Aviation Foundation and EAA Chapter 857 enough for giving me this opportunity. With the help from them, I am able to put much more time into my journey to becoming an airline pilot."

Samantha is currently practicing maneuvers for her check ride and hopefully the winter weather in western PA will be mild so she can complete her journey soon to her certificate!