FINANCING YOUR TRAINING
Finance Your Flight Training
A practical guide to paying for pilot training — from your credit and college loans to scholarships and third-party financing through Stratus Financial.
Understanding Your Options
How to pay for your flight training is the age-old question that everyone must answer. Flight training financing can seem like a maze of different programs and options that present endless challenges. At American Flight Schools, we want to help you understand and manage the process of obtaining pilot financing for your goals.
Four Steps to Finance Your Training
Step One – Know Your Credit
Know your credit score and history. Applicants with strong credit may find approval straightforward, while those with limited or poor credit should prepare a co-signer for their application.
Step Two – Consider an Aviation College or University
Consider enrolling in an aviation college or university. Universities provide access to low-interest federal student loans, with payments often deferred until after graduation. American Flight Schools partners with multiple institutions:
Step Three – Apply for an Aviation Scholarship
Consider applying for an aviation scholarship. Multiple organizations offer scholarships for aspiring pilots:
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
- Colorado Pilots Association
- Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
- National Air Transportation Association (NATA)
- National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
- National Gay Pilots Association
- The Ninety-Nines (International Organization of Women Pilots)
- Colorado Chapter of Ninety-Nines
- Tuskegee Airmen Annual Hubert L. ‘Hooks’ Jones Scholarship Award
- University Aviation Association (UAA)
Step Four – Third-Party Financing Through Stratus Financial
Consider third-party financing through Stratus Financial. This option is available for Professional Pilot Program enrollment only — it is not offered for private pilot training alone.
“We look beyond the typical FICO scores and look at you as a whole aviator.”
Stratus Financial
What Stratus Financial Offers
Financing packages include:
- Competitive interest rates
- Full financing coverage
- 12-month payment deferment during training
- Penalty-free early payoff options
Counseling & career support services:
- Flight instructor mentorship
- Resume development
- Industry networking calls with airline pilots
Ready to Get Started?
Students enrolled in the Professional Pilot Program can apply for third-party financing through Stratus Financial and receive counseling and career support along the way. Whichever path you choose — college loans, scholarships, or third-party financing — American Flight Schools is here to help you manage the process and reach your goals.