25 US Military Veterans to Receive Private Pilot Tuition

The UND Aerospace Foundation has announced a $300,000 award from The Ray Foundation for the exclusive use for scholarships to aid 25 US military veterans in their quest to become aviators.

The scholarships will cover an estimated 80% of the costs to obtain a Private Pilot certificate at the UND Phoenix Flight Training Center from February 2022 onwards.

Once they have their PPL in hand, students will be in a position to use their GI Bill benefits to continue their training on to advanced training certifications to begin a career as a professional aviator. UND Phoenix is a Part 141 flight school at the popular Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, approved to train veterans using VA education benefits. The school operates in partnership with the Chandler-Gilbert Community College, the UND Phoenix Flight Training Center also offers an AS Associate degree in Airway Science Technology.

Interested parties must secure their participation by establishing eligibility, sending in their GI Bill statement of benefits (with 24 months or more remaining), an FAA 1st or 2nd class medical certificate, a signed letter of intent to continue training at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College. In-person or virtual interviews will be included as part of the selection process, and winners will be required to attend the facilities on-site for roughly 24 months as they complete their training. 

The Ray Foundation requires a professional resume, a cover letter, and letters of recommendation, and applications are accepted until all scholarships have been awarded. The Foundation requests the cover letter speak on the applicant's career aspirations and goals, reasons for pursuing aviation as a career, any previous aviation experience, and a compelling narrative of why the applicant should be awarded the scholarship.

FMI: www.rayfoundation.us, https://airlinepilot.training/rayfoundation