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Opens Oct 1Verified Aug 1, 2026 against the official page

James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship (ACE)

Aerospace Center for Excellence · Polk County, FL

Amount varies

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Free to apply. Amounts and dates come from the provider's official page on the date shown; always confirm there before applying.

Samip Shah
Written by · founder of PilotBound

At a glance

Award
Amount varies (Award amount is not published; the scholarship funds Private Pilot flight training toward the certificate.)
Status
Opens Oct 1
Deadline
October 31, 2026
Opens
October 1, 2026
Cycle
Three windows each year (Jan 1-31, May 1-30, Oct 1-31); the next opens Oct 1, 2026.
Who it's for
Open to all
Age
Youth (age or grade cap applies)
Certificates
Private (PPL)
Region
Polk County, FL
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Applications open October 1, 2026.

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Who this is for

Open to students aged 16 to 19 who reside in or attend a secondary school in Polk County, Florida, and hold at least a 2.75 unweighted GPA. The award supports students working toward their Private Pilot certificate.

How to apply

  1. Read the full requirements on Aerospace Center for Excellence's official page. Applying is free.
  2. Line up the slow pieces early: recommendation letters, transcripts, and any medical or student pilot certificate the provider asks for.
  3. Write the essay with numbers, not passion: name your certificate goal, your school, your hours so far, and exactly what this award covers. Build your plan so every figure in the essay is real.

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James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship (ACE): quick answers

How much is the James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship (ACE)?

Aerospace Center for Excellence doesn't publish a single figure for this award (Award amount is not published; the scholarship funds Private Pilot flight training toward the certificate.). Check the official page for the current cycle's amount.

When is the James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship (ACE) deadline?

The deadline on the provider's official page is October 31, 2026. Applications open October 1, 2026. Three windows each year (Jan 1-31, May 1-30, Oct 1-31); the next opens Oct 1, 2026.

Who is eligible for the James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship (ACE)?

Open to students aged 16 to 19 who reside in or attend a secondary school in Polk County, Florida, and hold at least a 2.75 unweighted GPA. The award supports students working toward their Private Pilot certificate.

How do I apply for the James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship (ACE)?

Apply for free on Aerospace Center for Excellence's official page. There is no application fee, and no legitimate aviation scholarship charges one or asks for your Social Security number. Have your essay, recommendation letters, and any required certificates ready before the window opens.

Scholarships rarely cover the whole bill. See how students finance the gap →