Flight School Loans for Aspiring Pilots in November 2026

Most standalone flight schools don't qualify for federal student loans. Aviation degree programs at accredited universities and community colleges are more likely to qualify for federal aid. Some private lenders partner with schools or airlines, so you can use these loans only if you're enrolled in a specific program. 

In 2025, airline and commercial pilots earned a median annual salary of $210,020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But training to become a pilot can be expensive. The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight School Airline Career Pilot Program costs $123,995 for students with no flight experience in 2026, or $90,995 for those who already have a private pilot certificate. 

Here’s how to compare different flight school loans, which programs qualify for federal aid, and how to find scholarships and airline programs that could reduce what you borrow.

Compare private student loan rates

Can you get a loan for flight school?

You can get federal or private student loans for flight school, but the type of loan available depends on your aviation training program.

“Flight schools offer loans primarily through private lenders, credit unions, and other organizations. Some might offer federal student loans, but they are in the minority,” says Dan Bubb, a former airline pilot and aviation historian at UNLV Honors College.

Because many flight schools don't meet federal aid requirements, students often need to turn to private lenders that finance career training or certificate programs. Some schools also offer their own financing options.

Federal flight school loans

Federal student loans from the Department of Education may help finance flight school, but eligibility depends on the school being accredited, participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs, and offering qualifying degree or certificate programs.

Most flight schools don't qualify for federal student loans because they’re often classified as trade schools and lack accreditation. For example, the ATP Flight School, one of the largest U.S. flight training programs, doesn’t participate in federal student aid. 

To see whether your school qualifies for federal financial aid, search the Department of Education's accreditation database or the FAA aviation degree programs. 

“Federal loans are preferable because there is much greater flexibility when it comes to repayment,” says Martin Lynch, president of the Financial Counseling Association of America. “Private lenders have not been very creative when it comes to repayment plans that suit the income of their borrowers.”

If your program qualifies, federal loans have fixed annual rates and are the same for every borrower, with no credit check. For the 2026-27 academic year, federal rates are 6.52% for undergraduate subsidized loans, 8.07% for graduate unsubsidized loans, and 9.07% for parent PLUS loans. 

Private flight school loans

Private student loans can potentially fund your aviation training if you can't get federal student loans. Many private lenders only fund degree programs. A few offer career training loans for certificate programs, including some flight schools. 

Your interest rate on a private student loan depends largely on your credit score and financial history. Current fixed interest rates range from 1.99% to 18.19%, and variable rates range from 3.65% to 17.99%.

Private student loans can potentially fund your aviation training if you can't get federal student loans. These loans are typically only available to students enrolled in a four-year degree-granting program. However, some private lenders offer loans for a certificate- or career-based program, which may allow you to get a loan for flight school. Some loan options and lenders include:

Sallie Mae flight school loan

Sallie Mae is one of the few private lenders that offer flight school loans. The Sallie Mae Airline Career Loan can help cover the cost of professional pilot training if you’re enrolled in an eligible program, such as the ATP Flight School, and plan to become a commercial pilot. 

You can use the loan for expenses such as flight and ground training hours, certification and licensing fees, and certain required equipment. The Airline Career Loan comes with a 12-month grace period after you complete training and a 15-year repayment term. 

Ascent career training loan

Ascent offers career training loans for students at partner schools, including Epic Flight Academy. The loan can cover up to 100% of tuition. However, Ascent loans aren’t student loans. They're considered consumer loans, so the interest isn’t tax-deductible. You can check whether your school qualifies.

College Ave career loan

College Ave has private career loans for eligible training programs, with borrowing starting at $1,000. You can borrow up to your school-certified cost of attendance, minus other aid you receive. Confirm College Ave can help fund your flight program before you apply.

Pros and cons of borrowing for flight school

While loans can help, it’s important to weigh the advantages against the drawbacks of borrowing for flight school before taking on the debt.

Airline-sponsored pilot training programs

Some airline-sponsored training programs offer stipends or tuition assistance to help you finance your education and can lead to a job with a major airline. 

Here are several to consider, along with the tuition assistance or stipends they offer:

• Horizon Air Pilot Development Program: $12,500 ($5,000 after instrument training; $7,500 after commercial training)
• Frontier Airlines F9 Pilot Cadet Program: $500 a month for up to 750 flight hours; $1,000 a month for remaining 24 months (Note: Not accepting applications temporarily)
• Envoy Air Cadet Program: Up to a $7,500 bonus
• PSA Airlines Cadet Program: $15,000 for training and tuition assistance
• CommuteAir Pilot Development Program: Up to a $20,000 bonus
• Southwest Airlines Destination 225° Cadet Pathway: Doesn’t disclose amount but provides stipend for first 13 months of training
• Republic Airways RJet Cadet Program: $25,000 bonus
• Piedmont Airlines Cadet Program: $7,500 bonus

Scholarships and grants for flight school

You can get financial awards through scholarships and grants that you don't have to pay back. Aviation students can look into these:

• Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships: Aviation scholarships for women; qualifications vary by scholarship type.
• National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Navigate Your Future Scholarship: $2,500; must be a senior in high school and accepted or enrolled in an aviation-related program at an accredited university.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): Post-secondary scholarships; requires a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Flight Training Scholarships: Available for AOPA members; awards range from $250 to $14,000.
• The Lyons Aviation Foundation: Minimum $1,500 scholarship.
• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Charity scholarship: Cash awards and tuition assistance for college students studying aviation.
• Delta Propel Scholarship Path: Available to candidates nominated by Delta's affiliate organizations for flight training.
• United Aviate Academy: Various scholarships available through pilot groups after acceptance into the program.

“Students can go to the Federal Aviation Administration's website to see which scholarships and grants are available, in addition to doing an internet search to find out which private foundations offer scholarships and grants. Flight schools also might have scholarship and grant information,” says Bubb.