Meet a few members of our RARA Scholarship Squadron!

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is proud to champion the future of aviation through its Flight Training Scholarship Program. Since its inception in 2022, this initiative has awarded 33 scholarships of $10,000 each, providing young aspiring pilots with the financial support they need to pursue their dreams in the skies. As we look to the future, we are thrilled to continue expanding this very successful program, ensuring that even more talented individuals have the opportunity to soar.

The Flight Training Scholarship Program is not just about funding; it’s about creating opportunities and inspiring the next generation of aviators. As part of this effort, RARA offers named scholarship opportunities, allowing patrons to donate in the name of a family member or loved one. This special option adds a personal touch to your support, honoring someone important in your life while helping to cultivate the future of aviation.

We invite you to join us in supporting this amazing program. Your donation can make a significant difference in a young person’s life, opening the door to a career in aviation. Together, we can help more dreams take flight. To contribute to the Flight Training Scholarship Program, please visit our website or speak with a RARA representative today.

Let’s continue to build the future of aviation—one scholarship at a time.

Flight Training Applications

 General Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the scholarship:

Age – The scholarship is open to applicants ages 16-20
Location – State of New Mexico and Reno/Sparks/Fallon area, NV
Citizenship – Must be a legal US citizen
Health – Must be able to pass a Class III Medical Exam
Education – Must proficiently read, write, speak, and understand the English language;  Must be enrolled in or have completed a qualified high school curriculum with a 3.0 or higher GPA
Flight Experience (For PPL Training ONLY) – applicant must complete a successful discovery flight of at least 30 minutes in a small general aviation aircraft with a certified flight instructor prior to being considered for the scholarship.
FAA Written Exam (For PPL Training ONLY) – COMPLETION of 70% OR BETTER IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO APPLICATION. Written exam cost may be reimbursed from scholarships funds to a successful applicant.

Selection Process

Qualified applicants who meet all criteria and complete the application process will be scheduled for interviews. Interviews will be conducted from the opening of the application window and continue through the selection period.

Airframe & Powerplant Applications

General Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the scholarship:

Location – Live in or near Roswell, NM
Citizenship – Must be a legal US citizen
Education – Must proficiently read, write, speak, and understand the English language;  Must be enrolled in ENMU’s FAA Part 147-certified Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program current  with a 3.0 or higher GPA
Attendance: Applicant must have a minimum of 80% attendance throughout the AMT program

Selection Process

Qualified applicants who meet all criteria and complete the application process will be scheduled for interviews. Winning candidates will be selected and notified through the ENMU notification system.

Non-Discrimination and Program Eligibility Policy

The Reno Air Racing Association is committed to providing its scholarship and educational opportunities in a fair, respectful, and non-discriminatory manner. RARA does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or any other status protected by applicable law.

RARA scholarships and training programs may, however, include specific eligibility requirements established to further the purpose, mission, safety, funding priorities, and intended outcomes of each program. These requirements may include, where appropriate, factors such as age, geographic residence or connection, educational status or achievement, citizenship or residency status, aviation experience, medical qualification, training objective, completion of prerequisite examinations, financial or programmatic need, or other criteria directly related to the particular scholarship or training opportunity.

Such eligibility requirements are not intended to express a judgment about the value or ability of any individual. Rather, they are used to ensure that limited scholarship resources are directed toward the populations, training objectives, and purposes for which each program was established.

RARA periodically reviews its scholarship criteria and reserves the right to modify eligibility requirements as its programs, funding sources, and organizational priorities evolve.

Please review the items below as they contain answers to the most common questions regarding the scholarship program. A complete PDF overview of the scholarship process can be downloaded above.