2026 EAA RAY AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP

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Funded by the Ray Foundation, managed by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and administered through local EAA Chapters.

Over $2,250,000 total for 2026, up to $12,000 per recipient, for primary flight training.  This works out to 200 scholarships/year nationwide.

Local chapter (485 at Ferguson/Roscoe airport) is pre-approved for two scholarships for 2026.  THE CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS IS COMPLETED LOCALLY. Open to 16-19 year-old candidates.  Specifically, a candidate must turn 17 by September 30, 2026 and not be older than 19 on June 30, 2026.  A demonstrated interest in aviation (EAA student membership, School Aviation Program, Civil Air Patrol, JROTC, ROTC, Chappie James Flight Academy attendance, National Flight Academy attendance, Young Eagles flight, local airport activities, Women in Aviation International (WAI) or Ninety-Nines membership, etc.) is a plus.

GENERAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING SCHOLAR ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS: www.EAA.org/RayScholars 

LOCAL APPLICATION DETAILS BELOW.

IF INTERESTED, contact Chapter 485 Local Coordinator Scott Swanson as soon as possible at saswan9115ATsbcglobal.net, or Cell/Text 309-267-9710. for additional information and a local application form. 

    2026 LOCAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

The scholarship award will be for the Private Pilot Certificate.  To be eligible, the applicant must continuously reside in the local area for the expected duration of flight training (potentially through spring 2027). 

PROCESS/TIMING:

 Chapter Selection window opens January 1, 2026 and closes March 8, 2026.

 During this time, candidates MUST complete all four EAA prerequisites to apply:

FAA medical certificate.  You will be applying for a third-class medical certificate.  These are administered by Aviation Medical Examiners (AME). Appointments fill up quickly and are only available on limited days/times. Schedule this ASAP.  Go to https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator to find an AME in your area. Prior to taking the exam, you will need to go to the FAA medxpress.faa.gov website, and fill out the application.

Student Pilot Certificate. This certificate is applied for at https://iacra.faa.gov/iacra/Login.aspx.   It must be completed on a desktop or laptop Windows or Mac OS computer with pop-ups enabled.  Certain web browsers will not display the complete form. IOS devices (I-Pads and I-Phones) will not display the complete form. Be sure to read the User's guide for Student Pilots. The final step is to get a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) to endorse the form at any local flight school. The CFI can access your student pilot application from any computer, and may charge a small fee for this required endorsement. Chapter CFIs will be available after the Jan. 10^th meeting to provide these endorsements at no charge.

A short essay (250 words) on why you believe you should be selected as a Ray Scholar. Prepare this for the local interview.  Do not submit this to EAA.

A candidate must have received an EAA Young Eagle or Eagle flight. If needed, this can be set up through the Chapter 485 Young Eagle Coordinator. See www.eaa485.org for information to schedule a flight.

After completing these prerequisites email the completed Local Application Form (Fillable PDF) to saswan9115ATsbcglobal.net. Interviews will be scheduled from received application forms. It is highly desired that a candidate has received an EAA Young Eagle or Eagle flight.  If needed, this can be set up through the Chapter 485 Young Eagle Coordinator. See www.eaa485.org for information to schedule a flight.

Student pilots already flying will be considered.  In the event first solo flight has been accomplished prior to scholarship award, a reduced scholarship will be awarded.

If ground school is already completed and the FAA exam successfully taken, a digital copy of the FAA private pilot written exam score sheet must be provided.