The Blake Chapman Young Eagles Flight Scholarship was created by a passionate group of individuals who wanted to provide students in Teton County, ID, with the opportunity to learn to fly. This scholarship provides up to $12,000 toward the cost of a Private Pilot Certificate, including instruction, flight time, and books. Recipients will incur some fees, as the total cost of obtaining a license is approximately $13,000.
Applicants must be at least 17 years old by June 1st of the application year. Candidates should demonstrate strong academic performance, involvement in community service, financial need, and a commitment to pursuing a career as a pilot. Participants must be available for training 4-5 days a week from June through August.
Ethan Marcum, a 2016 scholarship recipient, recently visited the Community Foundation to share how this grant propelled his aviation career. The experience garnered through this scholarship enabled him to graduate early from Utah State University’s Professional Pilot program and move on to instructing to achieve his next set of minimum flight hours. Subsequently, he was hired by SkyWest Airlines and has been flying as a professional pilot ever since, aiming to fly for a major airline. Beginning his flight journey as a 17-year-old Young Eagle participant, Ethan stated, “I have accomplished my dream, which all started thanks to you!”
This year’s Blake Chapman Young Eagles Flight Scholarship application period closes Friday, February 21, 2025, at 5 PM. Access the scholarship application and read more about Ethan’s journey at www.cftetonvalley.org. As a Community Foundation, scholarships are an important part of programming. For further questions or information on Foundation scholarships, please call 208-354-0230.
