Aviation Scholarship

The James C. Ray Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Award

During each award period, 12 applications will be selected. Eight applicants will be awarded and four will serve as alternates. Each award will be applied toward a specific month such that two awards per month will be disbursed; the number of awards per month is commensurate with the allotment of slots at flight training schools in the county. For example, for the October 1-31 application submission window, 8 recipients will be selected; two recipients will start training in December; two in January; two in February; and finally, two in March. The same schedule applies to January’s and May’s application submission windows. Should the number of flight training allotments across the county increase, the scholarship review team will review the number of awards given. A recipient of this award may not re-apply for an additional opportunity to receive the scholarship.

Scholarship Description

Purpose: The James C. Ray Scholarship aims to support individuals pursuing careers in aviation, including but not limited to pilot, maintenance technician, avionics technician, or aviation administration. The flight training scholarship solely supports students pursuing their Private Pilot’s License.

Application window of submission and notification timeline:

Applications will be accepted January 1-31, May 1-30, and October 1-31; applicants will be notified by February 28, June 30, and November 30, respectively.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Reside or attend secondary school in Polk County
  2. Maintain a 2.75 unweighted cumulative GPA
  3. Be 16-19 years of age
  4. Hold a current government issued photo ID

Application Start Date

January 1, 2026

Application End Date

October 31, 2026

Minimum Age

16

Maximum Age

19

GPA Requirement

2.75

Female Applicant Preference

No

Field of Study

  • Pilot Training

Scholarship Type

  • Education Tuition
  • Educational Development

Year of Need / Desired Program

  • College Freshman
  • College Sophomore

College Enrollment Status

  • Full-Time Student
  • Part-Time Student

Scholarship Recurrence

  • Annual
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