The UND Aerospace Foundation announced a $300,000 award by The Ray Foundation, Inc. to be used for scholarships to help 25 U.S. Military Veterans earn their Private Pilot License. Training will take place at the UND Phoenix Flight Training Center (UND Phoenix), beginning as early as February 2022.
The scholarships are designed to cover nearly the entire cost of obtaining a Private Pilot certificate at the UND Aerospace Phoenix Flight Training Center (roughly 80%). After completion of the Private Pilot course, recipients will be eligible to use GI Bill® education benefits to continue their studies and pursue advanced flight training certifications, through and including their Certified Flight Instructor rating.
The UND Phoenix Flight Training Center is an FAA Certified Part 141 Flight School located at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. UND Phoenix is approved to train veterans and their eligible dependents using VA education benefits in the state of Arizona, preparing them for a career in aviation. In partnership with Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC), the UND Phoenix Flight Training Center has offered an Associate degree in Applied Science (AAS) in Airway Science Technology for 26 years.
All applicants must agree to submit the following to establish eligibility for award of the scholarship:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits or GI Bill® Certificate of Eligibility–With 24 months of benefit remaining
- Confirmation of Retirement or Separation Date prior to 14 Feb 2022 (veterans only)
- An FAA First- or Second-Class Medical Certificate
- Signed Letter of Intent to continue training in the CGCC AAS Degree Program
- Attendance of an in-person or virtual interview as part of the selection process
- Ability to relocate to Mesa, AZ for approximately 24 months to attend training
To apply, applicants must submit a professional resume, a cover letter, and letters of recommendation online at: https://airlinepilot.training/rayfoundation/. Successful applicants will include the following in their cover letter: 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. The application window is now open and will remain open until all scholarships have been awarded. Interviews with qualified applicants will be scheduled (either in-person or virtually) as qualified applications are received.
