Finance Your Flight Training

How to pay for your flight training is the age-old question that everyone must answer. Flight training financing options 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. 

First – Know your credit score and history. If you have good credit then getting approved for financing can be an easy process. If you don’t have good credit or limited credit history then you should be prepared to have a co-signer ready to help you complete the financing application.


Second
– Consider enrolling in an aviation college or university. While most schools do not offer the flight training portion of your education, they do provide access to low interest federal student loan programs. Often payments are deferred until after graduation or dis-enrollment. Metro State University of Denver offers a variety of aviation programs that you can attend while completing the flight training portion at any of the American Flight Schools locations.


Third
– Consider applying for an aviation scholarship from a variety of groups. We have included a list of flight training scholarships that you may want to consider. While the flight training financing options are varied, this list is not inclusive of all scholarships that may be available and we encourage you to look at all available local flight groups and organizations.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

AOPA offers tips and a list of scholarships available nationally.

Colorado Pilots Association

The CPA is a statewide organization dedicated to making Colorado a better, safer, and more desirable place to fly.

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

EAA offers the fun and camaraderie of flying, building, and restoring recreational aircraft.

Fly With Amelia Foundation

A Colorado non-profit organization providing aviation scholarship funding to young women.

National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Scholarships

The National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF), the research and educational arm of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), offers several categories of scholarships.

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Scholarships

The NBAA fosters an environment that allows business aviation to thrive in the United States and around the world.

National Gay Pilots Association Scholarships

The NGPA mission is to build, support, and unite the LGBT aviation community worldwide.

The Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots

Many scholarships are available for women pilots of all experience levels.

Colorado Chapter of Ninety-Nines

The local chapter of the Ninety-Nines offers an additional scholarship for women pilots.

Tuskegee Airmen Annual Hubert L. ‘Hooks’ Jones Scholarship Award

The Denver/Colorado Springs chapter offers a scholarship to a high school student.

University Aviation Association (UAA) Scholarship Listing

The University Aviation Association (UAA) is the voice of collegiate aviation to its members, the industry, government and the general public.

Women in Aviation, (WAI) International Scholarship Listing

WAI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests.

Fourth – Flight Training financing can also be accomplished using several third party financing options.

THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY RESERVED FOR THOSE WISHING TO ENROLL IN THE PROFESSIONAL PILOT PROGRAM. VISIT THE PROFESSIONAL PILOT PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION. MERITIZE DOES NOT ACCEPT LOANS FOR PRIVATE PILOT TRAINING ONLY. 

American Flight Schools has teamed up with the Meritize platform* to offer our student’s a unique financing option. Meritize works with students, educators, and employers to help people excel in skills-based careers.

Meritize knows you are more than your credit score, and that is why they look at your past achievements to potentially enhance your loan options.

A few reasons why the Meritize Platform is a great option for students include:

  • Fixed and variable interest rates available** Flexible payment options, including deferring full principal and interest payments until 3 months after you complete your training
  • Customer support available 6 days a week
  • 25% interest rate deduction if you sign up for autopay***

 

Checking your loan options with Meritize has never been easier. You can fill out a short application to check your loan options without impacting your credit score.

 

If loan options are available to you, Meritize will request your merit information to finalize your application. This could be in the form of:

  • Academic Experience (Official or unofficial transcript or HSE certification)
  • Military Experience (DD214)

 

Want to learn more? Check out their FAQ page here: https://www.meritize.com/students/faq/ or give them a call at 833-MERIT-4-U.

Ready to see if you qualify? Apply for financing.

 

*American Flight Schools does not endorse a particular lender, nor is it affiliated with Meritize Financial, Inc. (“Meritize”) or the Meritize platform.

Meritize Lending, LLC, NMLS ID 1661035 (NMLS Consumer Access https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/)
Meritize Financial, Inc. NMLS ID 1986399 (NMLS Consumer Access https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/)

Terms and Conditions apply. Meritize branded loan products are educational loans issued by Meritize Lending, LLC**. Meritize reserves the right to modify or discontinue products and benefits at any time without notice. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or hold an Employment Authorization Document and meet Meritize’s underwriting requirements. If approved for a loan the actual loan amount, term, payment, and APR amount of loan that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law and other factors. Meritize does not warrant or guarantee any claims made herein, including, but not limited to, gaining admission to a program, concerning the quality or financial strength of any educational institution, securing funding or obtaining employment. Our final loan offer may differ as a result of the school chosen and the associated cost of tuition. Not all schools are eligible for funding. Meritize does not offer educational loans in the following states: IN, ME, ND, NV, SD, VT, WI, WV, WY, PR. All rights reserved.

**For residents of SC, loan is made by Meritize Financial, Inc.
*Variable rates are subject to change.