Flight training can be expensive but that doesn’t have to be a deterrent to you achieving your dream. There are many options available to fund your aviation journey including private financing, student loans, scholarships, and payment plans.
Keep reading for a breakdown of these different options.
Scholarships
Let’s start with the favorite option – scholarships – aka free money. There are many aviation organizations that offer scholarship funds to offset the cost of training. AOPA, EAA, Women in Aviation, and Ladies in Flight Training are just a few, and as the demand for pilots grows, new scholarship programs are launching all the time. AOPA and the FAA also have an extensive list of scholarships that is regularly updated.
In addition to aviation-based scholarships, there are traditional educational scholarships that can be applied toward our university partners. Liberty University for example awards funds that can be used toward Sterling as a Flight Training Affiliate.
Private Financing
Financing for vocational flight training (not through a university) can be tricky, especially for a career pathway, but at Sterling we have a few different options to position you for success.
- Meritize: Offers financing up to $99,000 for career pilot training. Their easy application system gets you an approval within 24 hours and provides low interest rates and the option to defer payments while training for qualifying individuals.
- WeFlorida Financial: Specifically designed for student pilots, We Florida Financial flight training loans provide a fixed-rate line of credit from $5,000 to $30,000. A line of credit will allow the student to pay Sterling directly, reducing time and stress managing receipts, faxes and wire transfers. Ideal candidates for this loan are pilots looking to fund recreational flight training or additional ratings. Monthly payments start 30 days after the first withdrawal.
- AOPA Finance: Finance up to $30,000 toward private, instrument or multi-engine ratings through AOPA Finance. Payments can range from $75-$300 per month which is less than the cost of two flight lessons.
Student Loans
If you opt to go the university route you are eligible for federal financial aid and education-based scholarships. As a partner to Liberty University and Purdue Global University, students enrolled in these aviation programs are eligible for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, Direct Plus Loans, Federal Pell Grant and Sallie Mae.
Payment Plans
If you are not interested in financing and want to pay out of pocket for training then our flexible pay-as-you-go option is for you. Either deposit a lump sum into your flight training account and lessons will be deducted from this amount or pay upon completion of each lesson at the hourly rate posted.
Ready to get started or have questions? Our team is ready to assist you in determining how to fund your training. Contact us today to learn more.
