Best Flight School Loans for Aspiring Pilots in December 2025

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 flight school loans

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:

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).

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:

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:

• Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships: Aviation scholarships for females; qualifications vary by scholarship type
• Navigate Your Future Scholarship: Must be a senior in high school and accepted or enrolled in an aviation-related program at an accredited university
• EAA scholarships: Requires a 2.5 GPA or higher; applications open Oct. 1
• AOPA Flight Training Scholarships: Each scholarship has different minimum requirements; applications open Oct. 6
• Lyons Aviation Foundation scholarships: Offers $1,500 minimum and up to the entire cost of a private pilot certificate
• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA): Available to college students studying aviation
• Delta Propel Scholarship Path: Available to candidates nominated by Delta's affiliate organizations for flight training, and provides a direct route to a Delta cockpit
• United Aviate Academy: Various scholarships available 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.

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.

Private lenders offering flight school 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

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.

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.