Civil Air Patrol Cadet Wings
Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary) · National
Section 1What Civil Air Patrol publishes
~60+ awards per cycle via USAF and James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship funding
Amounts, dates and eligibility change between cycles. Always confirm on the provider's page before applying.
Section 2Deadline reminders
This cycle has closed.
The award runs annually. Leave your email and we'll let you know when the next window opens, plus other verified deadlines in the meantime.
Section 3What this award leaves to fund
- This award
- $10,000
- Private certificatePilotBound national estimate
- − $18,025
- Left to fund
- $8,000
All six lenders in our comparison lend this much. Stack whatever else you can win first, then price only what is left.
Compare lenders →Section 4Who this is for
Open to current active Civil Air Patrol cadets in good standing who have never previously received this award; priority given to cadets who have completed prerequisites including the Wright Brothers Award, Encampment, Student Pilot Certificate, FAA Medical Certificate, solo endorsement, and passing FAA Knowledge Test score. Applying requires paid membership in the host organization; the application itself is free.
Section 5How to apply
- Read the full requirements on Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary)'s official page, including the membership requirement. 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.
Section 6Price your school
Selection boards fund plans with a school and a number in them. Every figure below is what the school itself publishes, with the source and the date it was checked.
Local flight schools
1718 flight schools across 50 states, with the hourly rates each one publishes.
Accelerated academies
105 zero-to-career academies and the fixed program prices they publish.
Degree programs
51 aviation colleges, with tuition and flight fees summed into one estimate.
Section 7Also worth a look
Section 8Quick answers
How much is the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Wings?
The published award is Up to $10,000. Up to $10,000 per recipient toward private pilot flight training costs; funded by USAF and James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship. One application cycle covers multiple awards (~60+ awards per cycle via USAF and James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship funding).
When is the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Wings deadline?
The deadline on the provider's official page is September 1, 2026. That window has closed for this cycle; the award runs annually. Opens July 1 at 8:00 AM CT, closes September 1 at noon CT each year.
Who is eligible for the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Wings?
Open to current active Civil Air Patrol cadets in good standing who have never previously received this award; priority given to cadets who have completed prerequisites including the Wright Brothers Award, Encampment, Student Pilot Certificate, FAA Medical Certificate, solo endorsement, and passing FAA Knowledge Test score. Applying requires paid membership in the host organization; the application itself is free.
How do I apply for the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Wings?
Apply for free on Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary)'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.