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Best Flight School Loans for Aspiring Pilots in October 2025

Student loans from the government, private lenders, or the flight academy schools themselves can help cover the high cost of pilot training.

Author
By Richard Richtmyer

Written by

Richard Richtmyer

Richard Richtmyer is a senior editor with over 20 years of finance experience. He's an expert on student loans, capital markets, investing, real estate, technology, business, government, and politics.

Written by

Richard Richtmyer

Richard Richtmyer is a senior editor with over 20 years of finance experience. He's an expert on student loans, capital markets, investing, real estate, technology, business, government, and politics.

Edited by Lisa Davis

Written by

Lisa Davis

Lisa Davis has been a writer and editor for more than eight years. Her work has appeared on Texas Lifestyle Magazine, RetailMeNot, and House Digest.

Written by

Lisa Davis

Lisa Davis has been a writer and editor for more than eight years. Her work has appeared on Texas Lifestyle Magazine, RetailMeNot, and House Digest.

Reviewed by Renee Fleck

Written by

Renee Fleck

Renee Fleck is a student loans editor with over six years of experience. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Morning Brew, and Sidebar.io, among other online publications. She is fluent in Spanish and French and enjoys traveling to new places.

Written by

Renee Fleck

Renee Fleck is a student loans editor with over six years of experience. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Morning Brew, and Sidebar.io, among other online publications. She is fluent in Spanish and French and enjoys traveling to new places.

Updated October 1, 2025

Editorial disclosure: Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as “Credible.”

Featured

Credible takeaways

  • Flight schools can cost from less than $10,000 for a private pilot's license to more than $100,000 for commercial training.
  • Students enrolled at ATP Flight School are not eligible for federal student aid.
  • Private student loans for flight school are available from lenders like Sallie Mae and Ascent.
  • Scholarships and grants specifically for aviation students can also help fund flight school costs.

A career as a pilot offers the opportunity to travel the world and make a good living while doing it. Airline pilots earned a median annual salary of $226,600 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while commercial pilots averaged $122,670.

But before you can get started, you'll need to get an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. If you're starting from scratch with no experience, that can cost you around $117,000, per the ATP Flight School. Loans for flight school are a common way many prospective pilots fund their training.

A Sallie Mae flight school loan is one of the most popular options, thanks to its flexible repayment terms and career-focused loan program. While Sallie Mae is a strong contender, it's important to compare it with other private lenders to ensure the best fit for your financial situation and long-term goals.

Current 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 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 student loan options for pilot training

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

ATP Flight School, the nation's leading flight training program, does not participate in federal student aid. However, several four-year colleges offer aviation degree programs that qualify, including:

  • Polk State College
  • Aviator College
  • Orange Coast College
  • Purdue University
  • The Ohio State University
  • Baylor University
  • University of Oklahoma

To determine whether your school qualifies for federal financial aid, you can search the Department of Education's accreditation database. Below are the federal student loan options and their interest rates for the 2025-26 school year:

Federal student loan
Interest rate
Who can qualify
Direct Subsidized Loans
6.39%
Undergraduates who have financial need
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
6.39% for undergraduates; 7.94% for graduates
Undergraduates and graduate students
Graduate PLUS loans (unavailable as of July 1, 2026)
8.94%
Graduate and professional students
Parent PLUS loans
8.94%
Parents of dependent undergraduates

Source: StudentAid.gov

You must satisfy several criteria to be eligible for federal student loans. These include being a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, having a valid Social Security number, enrolling in an accredited degree program at an approved school, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

Federal student loan limits

Loan limits apply to federal student loans, such as Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. A first-year student who can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return can borrow as much as $5,500, while independent students may have a borrowing limit of $9,500. However, only $3,500 of this amount can be in Direct Subsidized Loans, which are available to undergraduates who demonstrate financial need and include an interest subsidy. 

To apply for these loans, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

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Note

Many flight schools do not qualify for federal student loans as they are often classified as trade schools and lack accreditation.

Airline pilot loan programs

Some airline-sponsored training programs offer stipends or tuition assistance to help you finance your education, giving you a pathway to flying for a major airline. These are several of the ones to consider:

flight-school-loans.png

Scholarships and grants for aspiring pilots

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

“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.

Pros and cons of flight school loans

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

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Pros

  • Can cover the full cost of training
  • Federal loans offer flexible repayment options
  • Some private lenders accept certificate programs
  • Airline stipends or bonuses may reduce debt
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Cons

  • Not all schools qualify for federal aid
  • Private loans may require a cosigner
  • Limited income-based repayment options
  • High overall cost of becoming a commercial pilot

Private lenders offering flight training loans

Private student loans can potentially fund your education if you can't get federal student loans. Unfortunately, your flight school may prevent you from qualifying for private student loans since these loans are typically only available to students enrolled in a four-year degree-granting program.

The good news is that 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 Airline Career Loan
  • Ascent Career Training Loan
  • Abe student loans for certificate programs
  • College Ave Undergraduate and Graduate Career Loans
Sallie Mae

Credible rating

Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more.
Read our full methodology.

Min. Credit ScoreDoes not disclose
Fixed APR2.89 - 17.49%
Loan Amount$1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance
Term10 - 20
Ascent

Credible rating

Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more.
Read our full methodology.

Min. Credit ScoreDoes not disclose
Fixed APR2.89 - 14.85%
Loan Amount$2,001* to $400,000
Term5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20
Read Our Review
Abe

Credible rating

Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more.
Read our full methodology.

Min. Credit Score660
Fixed APR -
Loan Amount$1,000 to $99,999 annually ($180,000 aggregate limit)
Term5, 7, 10, 15, 20
Read Our Review

Personal loans can fill the gap if you're at a non-degree flight school or don't qualify for student loan programs. However, because repayment starts immediately and terms are shorter, the monthly payment may be much higher compared to a student-style career loan.

Editor insight: “I strongly recommend setting up an automatic payment plan for your flight school loans. Many lenders offer a discounted interest rate if you do, and it can help ensure you never miss a due date.”

— Renee Fleck, Student Loans Editor, Credible

When comparing federal vs. private flight school loans, be aware that private loans don't have the same repayment options or benefits as federal loans. Private lenders don't offer income-driven repayment plans or loan forgiveness opportunities. You also may be unable to take advantage of deferment or forbearance options.

“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.”

Most students are likely to be able to get lower interest rates with federal loans, which are set by the government, do not require a credit check, and are the same for all borrowers. Most private lenders determine your student loan interest rates based largely on your credit score and financial history. A creditworthy cosigner could help you get a lower rate on a private student loan for flight school.

FAQ

Do airlines pay for flight school?

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Will FAFSA pay for pilot school?

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Is it worth taking a loan to become a pilot?

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Is it hard to get a loan for flight school?

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How do most people pay for pilot school?

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What is the cheapest way to become a pilot?

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Are there any federal grants for flight school?

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Meet the expert:
Richard Richtmyer

Richard Richtmyer is a senior editor with over 20 years of finance experience. He's an expert on student loans, capital markets, investing, real estate, technology, business, government, and politics.