EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship
Offered by Experimental Aircraft Association · Free to apply
Funded by the Ray Foundation and administered through local EAA chapters, this program provides up to $12,000 to help young aspiring aviators cover flight training costs. Candidates must be nominated by a participating chapter, meet age and medical/pilot certificate prerequisites, and commit to flight training milestones and monthly chapter volunteer hours.
Other deadlines near this one
- Bright Futures Gold Seal Vocational and Gold Seal CAPE ScholarsDue August 31, 2027 · $39 to $48 per credit hour ($1.30 to $1.60 per clock hour) toward career and technical programmes, set annually by the Legislature
- Florida Bright Futures - Academic Scholars (FAS)Due August 31, 2027 · 100% of tuition & applicable fees at Florida public institutions
- Florida Bright Futures - Medallion Scholars (FMS)Due August 31, 2027 · 75% of tuition & applicable fees at Florida public institutions
How hard is the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship to win?
A large applicant pool chases this award. Apply if the student is a genuinely strong fit, but build the plan around better-odds awards first. No published applicant or winner counts exist for this award, so Solyo shows no odds figure.
- Odds
- no published selection data
- Paperwork
- ~1 hr to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- More rivalsOpen nationwide, so the field is large
- More rivalsA five-figure award attracts a bigger field
How Solyo estimates this: We model the applicant field from how narrow the eligibility rules are, then divide the awards available by that field. Requirements such as essays and recommendation letters improve a serious applicant’s odds, because most browsers never complete them. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Open to high school sophomores, high school juniors, and high school seniors
- Must be age 16-19 for powered flight training (Private or Sport Pilot) or age 15-19 for glider training.
- Must hold a student pilot certificate (U.S. scholars) and at least a 3rd class medical certificate if pursuing Private Pilot training.
- Must have completed at least one EAA Young Eagles flight.
- Must be able to start flight training within 30 days of approval and complete two hours of chapter volunteer service per month.
- Scholars nominated for full scholarships apply from February through August 31; next cycle year inferred as 2027.
Personalized matching
Does your student actually qualify?
Not sure your student clears every rule above? Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is August 31, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around August 31 each year.
- Applications close
- August 31, 2027
Free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge a fee. We use your student's information only to build their plan.
Common questions about the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship
How much is the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship worth?
The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship awards $12,000.
When is the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship deadline?
The current deadline is August 31, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around August 31 each year.
Who is eligible for the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship?
Key requirements: Open to high school sophomores, high school juniors, and high school seniors.
Does the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1 hour on it.
How hard is it to win the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship?
A large applicant pool chases this award. Apply if the student is a genuinely strong fit, but build the plan around better-odds awards first. No published applicant or winner counts exist for this award, so Solyo shows no odds figure. Plan on about 1 hr of work.
Is the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship free to apply?
Yes. The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More merit-based scholarships
- Earth Prize$10,000 · due January 10, 2027
- Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation Scholarships$1,000 to $6,000 · due January 23, 2027
- Elks Legacy Award$6,000 ($1,500 a year for four years) · due February 1, 2027
- Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship$4,000 - $30,000 over 4 years ($1,000-$7,500/yr) · due November 12, 2026
- Ellison Mccraney Ingram Foundation Scholarship$10,000 per year · due December 1, 2026
- FBLA Distinguished Business Leader Scholarship (High School)$500 · due April 15, 2027
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.