CAF Ray Foundation Pilot Scholarship
Commemorative Air Force · National

What the CAF publishes
Amounts, dates and eligibility change between cycles. Always confirm on the provider's page before applying.
No fixed deadline posted.
Cycles like this change quietly. Leave your email and we'll flag date changes here and deadlines on other verified awards.
What this award leaves to fund
- This award
- $12,000
- Private certificatePilotBound national estimate
- − $18,257
- Left to fund
- $6,300
All six lenders in our comparison lend this much. Stack whatever else you can win first, then price only what is left.
Compare the six lenders →Who this is for
Open to applicants aged 16-19 who hold a valid FAA medical certificate and student pilot certificate and have passed the FAA written exam. Recipients must begin flight training within 60 days of accepting the award and complete their Private Pilot Certificate within one year.
How to apply
- Read the full requirements on Commemorative Air Force's official page. Applying is free.
- Line up the slow pieces early: recommendation letters, transcripts, and any medical or student pilot certificate the provider asks for.
- 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.
Price the school you'll name in the essay
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CAF Ray Foundation Pilot Scholarship: quick answers
How much is the CAF Ray Foundation Pilot Scholarship?
The published award is Up to $12,000. Up to $12,000 toward earning a Private Pilot Certificate within one year.
When is the CAF Ray Foundation Pilot Scholarship deadline?
Commemorative Air Force doesn't publish fixed dates for this award. Rolling applications through local CAF units; no fixed annual open or close dates published.
Who is eligible for the CAF Ray Foundation Pilot Scholarship?
Open to applicants aged 16-19 who hold a valid FAA medical certificate and student pilot certificate and have passed the FAA written exam. Recipients must begin flight training within 60 days of accepting the award and complete their Private Pilot Certificate within one year.
How do I apply for the CAF Ray Foundation Pilot Scholarship?
Apply for free on Commemorative Air Force'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.