How to Pay for Flight School: Loans, Savings and Scholarships
Most people training to be a professional pilot don't have $60,000 to $100,000 in the bank. They combine a specialist flight training loan, savings and sometimes a scholarship. This guide explains each option, who it suits, and the questions to ask before you sign anything.
We're not a lender or a financial adviser. Lender terms change often, so always check the current details directly with the lender.
The short answer
US citizens and permanent residents: most career students use a specialist flight training loan, usually topped up with savings.
International students: most fund training with savings, a family sponsor or a loan from their home country. US lenders generally need a US cosigner.
Everyone: scholarships help, but rarely cover a full programme.
Option 1: Flight training loans
A few US lenders specialise in pilot training. Most only lend for training at schools they have approved, so it's worth knowing which lenders a school works with before you choose it.
Lender | Who it's for | Key points |
|---|---|---|
Sallie Mae Airline Career Loan | Students in a professional pilot programme (not a degree) | Covers flight and ground training, certificate fees and some equipment. 15-year term, with payments starting after a 12-month grace period. In training you can pay interest only, pay a fixed $25 a month, or defer. |
Sallie Mae Undergraduate Flight School Loan | Students combining a degree with flight training | Can cover up to 100% of school-certified costs. Payments start 6 months after school. |
Stratus Financial | Full career programmes, not single ratings | Looks at credit score, income and assets. Payments can be deferred for 12 months while you train and look for a job. |
Meritize | US students in commercial pilot training | Considers your future earning potential, not only your current finances. Check current terms and approved schools directly. |
Both Sallie Mae loans require the school to be a participating school and to certify the loan. Non-US citizens can apply only if they live and train in the US and have a creditworthy US citizen or permanent resident as a cosigner.
Questions to ask any lender
Is my chosen school approved, and does the loan cover the whole programme or only part?
What's the interest rate, and is it fixed or variable?
What do I pay while I'm training, and when do full payments start?
What happens if training takes longer than planned, or I need to pause?
Are there origination fees or early repayment penalties?
Option 2: Savings and paying as you fly
Many schools let you pay as you go, either per lesson or in blocks of hours. It avoids debt, but has one big risk: if money runs out halfway, training stops, skills fade and restarting costs more.
If you're self-funding, make sure you can cover at least the full current stage (for example the whole Instrument Rating) before you start it.
Option 3: Scholarships
Scholarships won't usually pay for a whole career programme, but $5,000 to $15,000 makes a real difference. Places to look:
AOPA Foundation: awards over $1 million a year, with individual scholarships from $250 to $14,000, mainly for AOPA members. Applications open in spring and autumn.
Aviation associations: Women in Aviation International, the EAA, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, the Latino Pilots Association and the National Gay Pilots Association all run scholarship programmes.
Your flight school: some schools offer their own scholarships or discounts for paying a stage up front.
Option 4: GI Bill (US veterans)
Veterans may be able to use GI Bill benefits for flight training at VA-approved schools, usually once they already hold a Private Pilot License. Rules and limits apply, so check with the VA and the school's certifying official before you plan around it.
International students: how funding works
To get the I-20 you need for an M-1 student visa, schools ask you to prove you can pay for your training. Schools usually ask for one of these:
A recent bank statement showing enough to cover the training price
A loan approval letter from a bank
A letter of financial responsibility from a sponsor, such as a parent, with their ID
Requirements vary by school, so ask early. Also budget for living costs, because M-1 students can't work during their training. Most international students fund training through family savings, a sponsor or a loan from a bank in their home country.
Five money mistakes to avoid
Paying a large amount up front to a school you haven't checked. If the school closes or you leave, getting a refund can be hard. Pay in stages where you can.
Budgeting for minimum hours. Plan for the hours students actually take, not the FAA minimum. Our guide to the real total cost of zero to Commercial breaks this down.
Forgetting living costs. Housing and food for 12 to 18 months can add tens of thousands.
Choosing a school before checking finance. If your lender doesn't work with that school, you may have to start again.
Not keeping a buffer. Keep 10 to 15% extra for retakes, weather delays and extra hours.
What usually happens when students run out of money is a break from training. This will result in even more funds being required to finish the License or Rating you are studying towards. It is important to keep flying and studying without prolonged breaks to maintain progression and currency.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a loan with no credit history?
It's harder. A cosigner with good credit is the usual route, and some lenders look at more than credit score alone.
Do loans cover living costs?
Mostly not. Flight training loans usually cover training costs only, so plan housing and living costs separately.
Can international students get a US loan?
Usually only with a US citizen or permanent resident cosigner, and only while living and training in the US.
Should I finance the whole programme at once?
It depends on the lender. Some fund the whole career programme, others by stage. Ask how the money is released and when interest starts.
Get help matching school and funding
A school only works for you if your funding works there too. When you take our free quiz, tell us how you plan to pay. We'll only shortlist partner schools that fit your budget and funding plan.
Take the 2-minute quiz or book a free call.
Sources
Information checked October 2026. Lender terms, fees and eligibility change. Confirm details with each lender before applying.
