Yes, you can! Although flight training can be expensive, don’t be discouraged. There are a wide variety of financing options, including student loans, available for flight training. Some options are available specifically for college students or veterans. Still, even if you do not fall into one of those categories, there are many forms of financing for flight training.
Ready to fulfill your dream of becoming a pilot? Here is an overview of some of the primary financing options available.
College students may have access to federal student loans. You can fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a college student. There are no income limits to fill out a FAFSA, and although some aid is based on financial need, other forms of aid (such as unsubsidized loans) are not.
The following types of federal aid are potentially available for college students:
Unfortunately, because flight schools are usually viewed as trade schools, they often do not have the accreditation needed to be eligible for federal financial aid. Federal financial aid is only available to accredited colleges.
However, J.A. Flight Training is an approved training location for Liberty University’s Flight Training Affiliate Program. This means that federal financial aid, such as Direct Loans and PLUS Loans, are available to Liberty University students who enroll in the Flight Training Affiliate Program.
See the Liberty University website for detailed information about the cost of attendance and financial aid.
In addition to federal student aid, there are many private student loans available to college students. For example, ZuntaFi is a major lender that provides student loans specifically for college students enrolled in flight school.
Private loans can be used instead of federal student aid or as a supplement. Unlike federal loans, private loans vary widely in eligibility requirements, interest rates, and repayment terms. Be sure to research private loan options carefully in order to obtain the best terms for you.
G.I. Bill benefits are available to qualifying veterans and their family members to help pay for college, graduate school, and training programs.
J.A. Flight Training accepts the G.I. bill for all flight training offered after obtaining a Private Pilot License (PPL). This typically covers 85% of the cost of all pilot ratings after earning a PPL. In other words, eligible veterans can save up to 70% of the cost to become a commercial airline pilot.
For those wishing to obtain a bachelor’s degree and all the flight ratings, Liberty University offers Veteran Benefits, including financing, tuition discounts, and credit for military experience. You can qualify as Active Duty, Reservist, National Guard, Veteran/Retiree, Current Department of Defense Employee, or Spouse of Service Member/Veteran/Retiree. For more information, visit Liberty University’s website.
Not a college student or a veteran? There are still plenty of loans available to fund your attendance at flight school. Here are some examples:
Some flight school students can qualify for scholarships or grants. Scholarships specifically for aviation students include the following:
In addition, there may be non-aviation scholarships that can be applied towards flight training. For example, Liberty University offers merit-based scholarships and other scholarships which can be used for the Flight Training Affiliate Program. Visit the Liberty University Scholarships website for more information.
JA Flight Training is one of the fastest-growing flight schools in the Chicago area. Our team has been assisting students for years, and we are ready to help you figure out the best way to finance your flight training. Contact us today to learn more.