Continuing To Make A Difference With 80% Completion Since 2019

The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has been making a difference since 1963 for young people pursuing aviation careers and has recently passed a significant milestone, as 600 scholarship recipients have completed flight training and earned pilot certificates.

The EAA scholarship program is funded by the Ray Foundation, founded by James C. and Joan L. Ray. EAA manages the program and administers it through the EAA Chapter network. The program awards scholarships for qualified applicants to realize their aviation dreams.

Funding for the 2025 program has been increased to $2.25 million, and each recipient will receive up to $12,000 to fund their pilot training.

Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming explained, “EAA and the Ray Foundation continue to see the direct benefit the Ray Aviation Scholarship program has on students with pilot aspirations. The completion rate of our scholars remains at approximately 80 percent, a near inverse of the national average.”

The eligibility requirements of both EAA Chapters as well as scholars are geared toward indicating a commitment to success. Once a Chapter is approved, it nominates the chosen recipient for final EAA review.

For individual applicants, such attributes as engagement in aviation groups or activities, completed private pilot study knowledge courses and/or flying experience, and other activities including academics, leadership positions, honors, and actual completion of the FAA Private Pilot written exam are either considered or required.

FMI:  www.eaa.org/eaa/