EAA Ray Aviation Flight Training Scholarship

If you know a young person who is ready to take on the challenge of earning a pilot certificate, please complete the online Nomination Form below. The scholarship is for student pilots ages 15-19 for initial Private Pilot, Sport Pilot, or Glider Certificate. Please submit your nominee form by June 30th 2025.
Scholarship Awards

Glider = $6000

Sport Pilot = $9000

Private Pilot = $12,000
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be at least 15 years old for glider training and 16-19 years for Private Pilot/Sport Pilot flight training.
- Possess a student pilot certificate
- Possess an FAA medical certificate (if pursuring Private Pilot certificate)
- Be a part of the Galt Airport community, i.e. participating member of EAA Chapter 932 / current JB Aviation flight school student, and a candidate must be nominated by an active Chapter 932 member or JB Aviation flight instructor.
- Nomination submissions are due June 30, 2025
General information for nominating a candidate:
- Nominees can be at any stage of primary flight training (i.e. pre- or post-initial solo) however the award will be prorated based on logbook hours and current progress in training and determined by the scholarship committee.
  - Pre-solo student pilots are eligible for the full scholarship,
  - If solo flight has been completed, then 60% of award,
  - If solo flight has been completed and the FAA written exam has been taken, then 20% of the award.
- The scholarship award funds can only be used for primary Private Pilot, Sport Pilot or Glider flight training, such as aircraft rental, flight instructor fees, books and supplies. It must not be used for other needs such as oil, supplies, food, maintenance, rent, etc.
- The Ray Aviation Scholarship is an "earned" award. Funds will be applied as milestones are met. The full scholarship is disbursed in 3 installments (1 or 2 for a prorated award). 1st disbursement - for the initial flights up to first solo. 2nd disbursement - after completion of first solo, and 3rd disbursement - after completion of written test, in preparation for checkride.
- The recipient must plan to begin using the initial scholarship funds within 60 days of receiving the award, this will be known as the "Start Date" and complete flight training (i.e. pass the check ride) within 12 months of the Start Date, this will be known as the Expiration Date. The scholarship funds will be available for the recipient to use for a total time of 12 months beginning on the Start Date and ending 12 months later on the Expiration Date.
- If the recipient has earned a pilot certificate before the Expiration Date, up to $1500 in remaining funds may be used for additional flying and training for ratings, i.e. high performance, complex, instrument, etc.
The Process
- Once a nominee is selected by the scholarship committee, the nominated youth will submit an application to EAA National. The scholarship coordinator will assist in this application.
- If approved by EAA National, the scholarship recipient is required to:
  - Complete two or more hours of EAA Chapter 932 volunteer activities per month, such as: Young Eagles Rally volunteering, pancake breakfast volunteering, chapter build project support, and chapter gathering participation, etc.
  - The student shall begin flight training within 60 days of the award disbursement and meet with the scholarship coordinator to review and submit periodic progress reports to the EAA on flight training and volunteer service. *Funding from the EAA is dependent upon these stage checks.
- It is expected that the scholar recipient will reach flight training milestones as outlined by EAA’s training timeline:
  - Complete first solo within three months
  - Complete FAA written exam within six months
  - Pass FAA checkride within 12 months
- Scholarship recipients flight training with JB Aviation will automatically be enrolled in the JB Aviation Flight Club and the $50 monthly dues will be waived. Flight Club rates will be used when spending the scholarship award.
Please submit all nominee forms by June 30, 2025.

All Nomination Forms will be reviewed by the EAA Chapter 932 Scholarship Committee.

The scholarship committee will evaluate each nominee. After reviewing all nomination forms, the scholarship coordinator will schedule an interview with the nominee and the scholarship committee. For nominees under the age of 18, a parent/ guardian may be present.

Once all nominees have been interviewed, the scholarship committee will choose the scholarship candidate based on a rubric-based point system. The nominee with the highest score who has also met interview criteria set by the committee will be the scholarship candidate.

The candidate will be notified by phone. If the potential scholar accepts and agrees to the Ray Scholarship expectations as outlined by the EAA, the scholarship coordinator will assist the candidate in the submission of the formal application to EAA National and provide ongoing support.

If approved by EAA National, an award presentation will occur during an EAA 932 monthly gathering.

Nominees not selected in a given year will be considered the following year, as long as eligibility requirements are still met.
For Questions: Please contact the EAA Chapter 932 Scholarship Committee at scholarships@eaa932.org.

We encourage you to fill out the online application but should you require a paper version of this application, it can be emailed to you upon request. Please mail completed form to:

EAA Chapter 932 Scholarship Committee, Galt Airport,
5112 Greenwood Road, Wonder Lake, IL 60097
EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Nomination Form

Before you begin, be sure to have required documents and essay ready to upload. See below.
Nominator's information
Your Name (The person submitting the nomination)*

First NameLast Name
Your Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Are you willing to provide ongoing mentorship for the scholar?*
Scholarship Nominee's Name*

First NameLast Name
What qualities does this nominee possess to support your recommendation for the Ray Aviation Flight Training Scholarship?*
Nominee's Information
Nominee's Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Nominee's Email*
example@example.com
Nominee's Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
If under 18, please provide Parents/Guardian's Names and phone numbers to contact*
Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Does nominee possess a valid FAA student pilot certificate?*

YesNo
Current Medical Certificate held?*

YesNo
If yes, select medical class

FirstSecondThird
Current Medical Certificate Date:

MonthDayYear
Date
Able to begin/continue training within 60 days of receiving the scholarship?*
Able to dedicate flight training time to complete pilot certificate within one year?*
Willing/able to volunteer at least 2 hours/month to EAA Chapter 932?*
Additional Information

Additional consideration will be given to nominee's based on the following.
Currently in flight training? If Yes, please indicate where? If No, please indicate where you plan to flight train?*
Current total flight hours*
Hours flown in last 6 months*
First solo completed?*

YesNo
Participating in the EAA Flight Plan?*

YesNo
Have you done an EAA Young Eagles flight?*

YesNo
Are you participating in or have you participated in the EAA Young Eagles Flight Plan and Sportys Learn to Fly Course?*

YesNo
If yes, please explain what you have completed.
Have you taken or enrolled in ground school other than EAA/ Sportys Learn to Fly Course?*

YesNo
If yes, please name the ground school course or program
If yes, please name the Ground School Course or Program
Taken the FAA written exam?*

YesNo
FAA Written Exam Date

MonthDayYear
Date
FAA Written Exam Score
First pilot in the family?*

YesNo
Past participation in aviation related activities?*

AirVenture in OshkoshScouts related aviation experiencesRC Airplane ClubsAVKids.comCivil Air Patrol cadetFAA Aviation Education ProgramsNASA Aviation ProgramsSoaring Society of AmericaFlight sim gamingNone
Please explain activities checked above. If other activities than listed above please explain as well.
Participated in or volunteered at EAA Chapter 932 Events*
If yes, please explain.
Current Aviation Memberships*

EAA Chapter 932NoneEAA NationalOther
Nominee's EAA membership # ( or Family Membership#)*
Required Documents
Please upload the following supporting documents with the nomination:
Copy of current student pilot certificate*

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Copy of current medical certificate*

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Copy of most recent pilot Logbook page showing current hours*

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Copy of Drivers License*

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Copy of Passport or Birth Certificate*

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ESSAY
For the Nominee:

Write a 500-word, typed essay describing how you became interested in aviation and what your future goals in aviation are.

In your essay, please tell us about:
- Your passion for aviation
- Your involvement in aviation activities
- How this scholarship will help you achieve your aviation goals
- Should scholarship funds be exhausted prior to earning a pilot certificate, how will you continue to fund your training.
- Aside from aviation, what are your other interests
- Any awards or honors you have received
- Where you see yourself in five and ten years
- Why you should receive this scholarship
Upload Essay Here*

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Enter the message as it's shown*
Should be Empty:

EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Nomination Form

Nominator's information

Nominee's Information

Additional Information

Required Documents

ESSAY