Ahh, how things have changed. I was awarded a Royal Naval Flying Scholarship back in 1974, through the CCF at school. I had to go through and pass the Aircrew Selection aptitude and medical at Biggin Hill.
The scholarship was 30 hours flying at a civilian flying school, and I spent part of the summer of 1974 at Ipswich - happy, carefree days!
As a result, I managed to obtain my PPL before I passed my driving licence! (first attempt I reversed into the kerb, despite having practised it for what seemed like hundreds of times).
More free flying followed at University, courtesy of the RAF and UAS. The standard of training was second to none, and has stood me in wonderful stead for all my subsequent flying.