Becoming a commercial pilot can cost $55,000 to $100,000 or more, which leaves many aspiring aviators wondering how to pay for flight school.
We’ve found that some flight schools qualify for FAFSA and federal student loans, while others partner with private lenders that specialize in flight training loans. Scholarships, airline-sponsored financing, and payment plans may also help reduce how much you need to borrow. This guide explains how flight school loans work, which schools accept federal aid, and the best ways to finance pilot training in 2026.
Key takeaways about flight school loans
- Some accredited flight schools accept FAFSA and federal student aid.
- Federal student loans typically offer lower rates and better repayment protections than private loans.
- Many standalone flight academies do not qualify for federal aid.
- Private lenders such as College Ave, Sallie Mae, and Edly offer flight training loans.
- Commercial pilot training often costs between $55,000 and $100,000.
- Airline-sponsored training programs may offer financing or tuition reimbursement.
Table of Contents
Can you use student loans for flight school?
Yes, you can use student loans for flight school, but your options depend on whether the program qualifies for federal financial aid.
If your flight school is accredited and participates in federal student aid programs, you may qualify for:
If your school does not participate in federal aid programs, you may still qualify for private flight school loans through lenders that work with aviation schools.
Many students use a combination of federal aid, private student loans, scholarships, and airline-sponsored financing to cover pilot training costs.
Does FAFSA cover flight school?
Sometimes. FAFSA only covers flight schools that participate in federal student aid programs.
Many university aviation programs qualify for federal aid, while independent flight academies often do not.
If your school participates in federal aid programs, completing the FAFSA may help you qualify for federal loan options, including Pell Grants (which you don’t need to pay back), Direct Subsidized Loans (which don’t accrue interest while you’re in school), and Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
Because federal student loans usually offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment protections than private loans, you should generally maximize federal aid before turning to private flight school financing.
Signs a flight school may accept FAFSA
- The school is accredited.
- The program grants a degree or certificate.
- The school has a federal school code.
- The school participates in Title IV federal aid programs.
What if your flight school doesn’t accept FAFSA?
If your school is not FAFSA-eligible, you may still be able to finance training through:
- Personal savings or employer assistance
- Private flight school loans
- Airline-sponsored financing
- School payment plans
- Aviation scholarships
Federal student loans for flight school
If your flight school participates in federal student aid programs, federal student loans are usually the best place to start. They typically offer lower interest rates, flexible repayment plans, and borrower protections that private lenders don’t match.
You may qualify for federal aid by completing the FAFSA and attending an accredited school that participates in Title IV federal aid programs.
| Loan type | Best for | Current borrowing limits |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized Loan | Undergraduate students with financial need | $3,500 – $5,500 annually |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loan | Students regardless of financial need | $5,500 – $12,500 annually |
| Parent PLUS Loan | Parents helping pay for flight school | Up to the school’s cost of attendance minus other aid |
Direct Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans are federal student loans for undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need.
Details:
- Interest does not accrue while you’re enrolled at least half-time
- Fixed interest rates set annually by the federal government
- Total borrowing limit of $23,000
- Typically the most affordable student loan option for eligible borrowers
If you qualify, Direct Subsidized Loans should generally be your first borrowing option before turning to private flight school loans.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to students regardless of financial need and are one of the most common ways to pay for flight training at FAFSA-approved schools.
Details:
- Available to undergraduate and graduate students
- Interest begins accruing immediately
- Higher annual borrowing limits than subsidized loans
- Eligible for federal repayment protections and forgiveness programs
Many flight school students use Direct Unsubsidized Loans after reaching their subsidized loan limits.
Parent PLUS Loans
Parent PLUS Loans allow parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow money for flight school expenses.
Details:
- Parents can borrow up to the school’s cost of attendance minus other aid
- Credit check required
- Higher interest rates than other federal student loans
- Eligible for some federal repayment protections
Parent PLUS loans may help bridge funding gaps when federal student loan limits are not enough to cover the cost of pilot training.
Best private flight school loans
Private student loans can help cover flight training costs after you’ve exhausted federal aid or if your flight school does not participate in FAFSA programs. Many aviation schools partner with specific lenders that offer career training or flight school loans designed for pilot programs.
Compared to federal student loans, private flight school loans may offer higher borrowing limits, but approval often depends on your credit profile, income, or access to a cosigner. Because rates, repayment terms, fees, and in-school payment requirements vary by lender, it’s important to compare multiple options before borrowing.
Best overall flight school loan: College Ave
College Ave offers a Career Loan to help you cover the cost of flight school. It offers a variety of in-school repayment options, and students can apply in just three minutes. You can choose between a fixed and a variable interest rate. Repayment term options are five, eight, 10, or 15 years. You may be able to borrow up to 100% of your certified flight school expenses with College Ave.
What we like
- Flexible repayment options, including deferred and interest-only payments during training
- No origination or prepayment fees
- Soft-credit prequalification available
- Loans available for career and professional training programs
- Borrow up to 100% of school-certified costs
- Autopay discount available
What to keep in mind
- Most borrowers need a cosigner to qualify
- Cosigner release takes longer than with some competitors
- Flight school eligibility may depend on program approval
- Rates can be higher for borrowers with limited credit history
Loan details
| Fixed rates (APR) | 4.13% – 17.99% |
| Variable rates (APR) | 4.13% – 17.99% |
| Loan amounts | Max. $80,000 |
| Repayment terms | 5, 8, 10, or 15 years |
| In-school repayment plans | Principal + interest, interest-only, $25 monthly |
| Enrollment requirements | Enrolled at least half-time. The school certifies the loan per the school’s enrollment and eligibility requirements. |
| States | Available in all 50 U.S. states |
Best for flight school loan cosigners: Sallie Mae
You can use the Sallie Mae Career Training Smart Option Student Loan to cover flight school and other certificates or professional training programs. Choose a fixed or variable rate, and pay no origination fees or prepayment penalties. You can also select a repayment term of five to 15 years and one of several in-school repayment options.
What we like
- No courseload requirements
- Loan discharge available in case of death or disability
- Option to make interest-only payments for a year after graduating
What to keep in mind
- Doesn’t offer loan prequalification
- Unfavorable ratings from borrowers
- Must still be attending a “participating school”
Loan details
| Fixed rates (APR) | 4.13% – 17.99% |
| Variable rates (APR) | 4.13% – 17.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 – certified by the school based on the cost of attending the school. |
| Repayment terms | 10 – 15 years |
| In-school repayment plans | Interest-only, $25 monthly, deferred |
| Enrollment requirements | Full-time, half-time, or less than half-time. |
| States | Available in all U.S. states and the District of Columbia with eligible schools. |
Best flight school loan with income-based repayment: Edly
Edly recently expanded its income-based repayment student loan program to include flight training loans for aspiring pilots.
Unlike many traditional private lenders, Edly focuses on affordability during training and the early stages of a pilot’s career. Payments are designed to align with income growth over time, which may help borrowers manage costs as they build flight hours and gain experience.
Edly may be especially appealing for students who do not have access to a cosigner.
Edly may work best for borrowers attending participating flight schools who want a no-cosigner option and expect their income to increase substantially after becoming a commercial pilot.
What we like
- No cosigner required for eligible borrowers
- Payments may pause if income falls below qualifying thresholds
- No in-school payments required for the no-cosigner loan
- Prequalification available without affecting your credit score
What to keep in mind
- Limited school and program availability
- Lifetime borrowing limits are lower than many competitors
- Effective borrowing costs may rise with income
- APRs and repayment percentages are not fully disclosed upfront
Edly terms and eligibility information
| Loan amounts | $5,000 – $15,000 per year |
| Lifetime limit | $25,000 |
| Repayment term | 84 months (7 years) |
| Cosigner required? | No |
| Grace period | 4 months |
| In-school payments | Not required for no-cosigner loans |
| Availability | Available through participating aviation schools |
How much does flight school cost?
Flight school can cost anywhere from $55,000 to $100,000 or more, so it’s important to compare the total cost of training with your expected earnings after graduation.
Is flight school worth the cost?
Flight school can be worth the cost if you have a clear plan for completing training, building flight hours, and eventually moving into a higher-paying aviation role. While training costs can exceed $100,000, pilot salaries often increase substantially as you gain experience and move from instruction or regional airline work into major airline or corporate aviation positions.
That said, flight school is one of the more expensive career-training paths, and many students rely heavily on private loans. Before borrowing, compare the total cost of training with your expected starting salary and monthly loan payment.
Flight school may be worth the investment if:
- You’re committed to pursuing aviation as a long-term career
- Your program has strong job placement or airline partnerships
- You qualify for lower interest rates or have a cosigner
- You have a realistic plan for building hours after graduation
- You’re minimizing borrowing through scholarships, savings, or grants
Flight school may be harder to justify financially if:
- You need to borrow the full cost at high interest rates
- Your expected monthly payment would exceed your early-career budget
- Your program has weak completion or job placement outcomes
- You’re uncertain about pursuing aviation long term
One challenge for new pilots is that earnings are often lower early in the career while building flight hours. Many graduates work as certified flight instructors (CFIs) before moving into regional airline roles. Because of this, large private loan payments can feel difficult during the first few years after training.
However, long-term earning potential can improve significantly over time.
| Career stage | Estimated annual pay | Example monthly payment affordability |
|---|---|---|
| Flight instructor building hours | $35,000 – $60,000 | Large private loan payments may feel difficult early on |
| Regional airline first officer | $70,000 – $120,000+ | More manageable for moderate student loan balances |
| Major airline pilot | $150,000 – $300,000+ | Higher earnings can accelerate repayment |
If possible, avoid borrowing more than you realistically expect to repay on an entry-level aviation salary. Comparing lenders, applying for scholarships, and choosing a lower-cost training path can make flight school more affordable over time.
How to pay for flight school without borrowing too much
Because flight training can become expensive quickly, reducing how much you borrow upfront can make repayment far more manageable later. Even small decisions during training, such as lowering housing costs or maximizing scholarships, can reduce the amount of private debt you need to take on.
Here are several ways aspiring pilots can lower the total cost of flight school:
- Max out federal student loans before using private loans.
- Apply for aviation scholarships early.
- Compare airline-sponsored training programs.
- Consider community college aviation programs.
- Work part-time if your flight schedule allows.
- Borrow only what you need for tuition and essentials.
“Flight school can become rather expensive and exceed the federal borrowing limits, which means considering private funding. Even with an airline-sponsored program, many aspiring pilots still take out over $100,000 in student loans.
Before taking out a loan, consider your average salary when you finish flight school. If you expect to make $120,000 out of the gate, you don’t want to take on more than $120,000 in student loans.
During flight school, finding ways to lower your living expenses is the name of the game. Find roommates, cook at home, and live as close as you can to school. And once you secure your first full-time job, continue living frugally to ensure you can tackle your student loans.”
—Crystal Rau, CFP®, CRPC®, AAMS®
Flight schools that accept FAFSA
Not all flight schools participate in federal student aid programs, but many accredited aviation schools and university flight programs do accept FAFSA.
If a flight school participates in Title IV federal aid programs, students may qualify for federal student loans, Pell Grants, work-study, and other forms of aid.
Here are several flight schools and aviation programs that may accept FAFSA and federal student aid:
- National Aviation Academy
- AeroGuard Flight Training Center
- U.S. Aviation Academy
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
- L3Harris Flight Academy
- Aviator College of Aeronautical Science & Technology
- Vermont Flight Academy
- Paragon Flight
Before enrolling, ask the school whether it participates in federal student aid programs and request the school’s federal school code so you can complete the FAFSA correctly.
Many standalone flight academies do not qualify for federal aid, so confirming FAFSA eligibility early can help you avoid surprises when comparing financing options.
Alternatives to flight school loans
Student loans are one of the most common ways to pay for flight training, but they are not your only option. Scholarships, airline-sponsored programs, and school payment plans may reduce how much you need to borrow.
| Option | Must be repaid? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarships and grants | No | Reducing overall borrowing |
| Airline-sponsored training programs | Usually | Career-track financing support |
| School payment plans | Usually | Avoiding high-interest borrowing |
| Military benefits | Not always | Eligible veterans and service members |
Scholarships and grants
Aviation scholarships and grants are among the best ways to pay for flight school because they typically do not require repayment.
Organizations such as AOPA, Women in Aviation International, and the FAA maintain scholarship databases and aviation funding resources for aspiring pilots.
Airline-sponsored training programs
Some airlines and aviation training organizations partner with lenders or offer tuition reimbursement programs designed to help students complete training and transition into pilot careers.
These programs may include hiring pathways, conditional job offers, or financing assistance tied to employment commitments.
School payment plans
Many flight schools offer installment plans that let students spread tuition costs across several payments instead of borrowing the full amount upfront.
Although payment plans may include small administrative fees, they can still cost less than taking out large private student loans.
How to repay flight school loans
Before borrowing for flight school, estimate what your monthly payments could look like after graduation. Pilot salaries often increase over time, but many new pilots spend their early careers building flight hours with more modest pay.
If possible, prioritize federal student loans before private loans because federal repayment plans typically offer more flexibility.
Understand when payments begin
Most federal student loans include a six-month grace period after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment. Private lenders may offer different repayment timelines, including immediate repayment, interest-only payments, or deferred repayment while in school.
Keep borrowing under control
Because flight training can cost more than $100,000, borrowing only what you truly need can make repayment much more manageable later.
Ways to reduce repayment stress:
- Apply for scholarships early
- Reduce housing and transportation expenses
- Work part-time if your training schedule allows
- Compare multiple lenders before borrowing privately
- Consider interest-only payments during school if affordable
Consider refinancing later
After establishing a stable income and improving your credit profile, refinancing may help lower your interest rate or monthly payment on private flight school loans.
However, refinancing federal student loans into private loans permanently removes federal protections such as income-driven repayment and federal forgiveness programs.
FAQ
Can you get federal student loans for flight school?
Yes, but only if your flight school participates in federal student aid programs.
Can you get a Pell Grant for flight school?
Yes, you can get a Pell Grant for flight school if the school is an accredited institution that participates in federal student aid programs. Pell Grants are need-based grants provided by the federal government to help students with financial needs pay for their education.
If your flight school meets the necessary criteria and you qualify based on your financial need, you may be eligible to receive a Pell Grant to cover some of your flight training costs.
What credit score do you need for flight school loans?
Private flight school lenders often require good credit or a cosigner, though some lenders such as Edly offer limited no-cosigner options.
When do you need to start repaying flight school financing?
The repayment schedule for flight school financing varies depending on the type of loan and the lender’s terms. Generally, for federal student loans, repayment begins six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment.
This six-month period is known as the grace period. For private student loans, repayment terms can vary, and some lenders may require payments while you are still in school. It’s crucial to review your loan agreement and consult with your lender to understand the specific repayment terms and timelines for your flight school financing.
Can you become a pilot without student loans?
Yes. Some students combine scholarships, savings, military benefits, airline sponsorships, employer assistance, and payment plans to reduce or avoid borrowing.
What happens if your flight school closes?
Federal student loan borrowers may qualify for closed-school discharge in some situations, while private loan protections vary by lender.
Can flight school loans be forgiven?
Some federal student loans used for flight school may qualify for forgiveness programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), but eligibility depends on your employer and repayment plan.
Private flight school loans generally do not offer forgiveness programs.
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About our contributors
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Written by Deb HippDeb Hipp is a freelance writer with more than a decade of financial writing experience about mortgages, personal loans, personal finance, and debt.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their pack of senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.
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Reviewed by Crystal Rau, CFP®, CRPC®, AAMS®Crystal Rau, CFP®, CRPC®, AAMS®, is a Certified Financial Planner based in Midland, Texas. She is the founder of Beyond Balanced Financial Planning, a fee-only registered investment advisor that helps young professionals and families balance living their ideal lives with being good stewards of their finances.