Commercial pilots can have exciting and lucrative careers. However, the tuition for flight school is quite a financial investment, costing upwards of $100,000 for some programs. Altogether, it takes about two years for someone with no experience to become a commercial pilot.
If you’re considering flight school but can’t pull together that kind of cash, you’ve got options, from scholarships and grants to military — and airline-sponsored training.
Key Points
• To pay for flight school, you can explore federal and private loans, grants, and scholarships specifically designed for aviation students.
• Look for part-time jobs at airports or aviation-related businesses to earn money and gain valuable industry experience.
• If eligible, take advantage of military programs and benefits that can provide funding or training for flight school.
• Numerous organizations offer scholarships for aspiring pilots, which can significantly reduce the financial burden.
• Once federal aid is exhausted, flight school students can rely on private student loans to help cover the cost of flight school.
Typical Cost of Flight School
In the U.S., to become a commercial airline pilot can cost over $100,000. Associated costs can also add up: There’s an initial medical exam ($75-$200), test fees ($500-$700), and supplies like headsets and books ($500-$1000). Depending on the flight school, you might also be on the hook for instructor fees, fuel surcharges, landing fees, and more.
If you just want to fly but don’t have your heart set on being a commercial airline pilot, you’ll pay less for training and certification. You can become a private pilot for $6,000 to $20,000 or more.
10 Tips for Paying for Flight School
Even if you have money set aside for flight school, financial help may come in handy. Below are the top ways that aspiring pilots help cover their costs.
• Federal loans and grants
• Scholarships
• Military tuition assistance
• Sallie Mae flight training loans
• Private loans
• Working at a flight school
• Personal loan
• HELOC
• Airline-sponsored training
1. Savings
This may be the least complicated method of funding your education, but as noted above, just because you have savings doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider other ways to fund your dream. Also, you may need that savings to support yourself over the two years it takes for someone with no experience to earn their commercial pilot’s license.
2. Federal Loans and Grants
You may be eligible for federal student loans if you attend an aviation program at an accredited university or college. Independent flight schools usually don’t qualify for federal aid, but it’s worth checking with your program just in case.
If your school does qualify for federal aid, simply fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to apply.
The same application will submit your information to the federal Pell Grant program. These grants assist students with exceptional financial need and generally don’t have to be repaid (unlike student loans). The maximum amount available for the 2025-26 academic year is $7,395.
3. Scholarships
As with academic programs, scholarships are available for flight school. Check with your flight school of choice for guidance. The Federal Aviation Administration also shares information about grants and scholarships.
SoFi’s Scholarship Search tool can help you find flight school funding. For the school type filter, choose trade or tech, and select aviation for your field of study.
4. Military Tuition Assistance
The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill may pay a portion of your flight school costs depending on the program you select, whether you’ve received benefits in the past, and other factors. Veterans who qualify can receive funding to help with tuition, housing, and books and supplies. Go to VA.gov for details. (And keep an eye on current legislation for possible changes to the G.I. program.)
5. Sallie Mae Flight Training Loan
Sallie Mae offers two types of student loans tailored for pilot training and aviation degrees, covering up to 100% of the cost — including flight hours, ground instruction, certification fees, and sometimes living expenses. Sallie Mae also provides resources to help students manage their loans and plan for their financial future, making it a viable option for those pursuing a career in aviation.
6. Private Student Loans
Private student loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Interest rates and repayment terms vary by lender and the type of program you’re enrolled in. Shop around to find the best terms you can qualify for. Keep in mind, though, that some lenders do not offer private student loans for flight school, including SoFi.
Recommended: A Complete Guide to Private Student Loans
7. Work at a Flight School
Working at a flight school in a non-pilot capacity may earn you a discount. Flight schools are known to offer generous employee discounts on aircraft rental, and for accepting some work hours as flight hours. If you have your eye on a particular school, ask about career opportunities and employee discounts.
8. Personal Loans
Personal loans provide borrowers with a lump sum — typically from $5,000 to $100,000 — that are paid back in equal installments plus interest. Because personal loan funds can be used for almost any personal expenses, they can be a good option for older students with excellent credit histories.
It’s important to note that some lenders (including SoFi) don’t allow personal loan funds to be used for post-secondary education, so be sure to check with your lender.
9. Home Equity Lines of Credit
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) allow you to borrow against equity in your home, on an as-needed basis. Throughout the draw period, you can take out money up to your pre-approved limit. HELOCs are often used for big expenses; flight school can qualify.
10. Airline-Sponsored Training
Airlines are currently experiencing a dire shortage of pilots. As a result, U.S. companies are beginning to follow in the slipstream of European airlines by offering pilot training programs.
Frontier Airlines, for example, has a two-year training program in partnership with ATP Flight School. Candidates must be 19 years or older, have a high school diploma, and pass a background check. After their training is complete, grads will have a guaranteed job waiting for them with Frontier.
Alaska, Delta, United, and JetBlue have created similar pilot development programs.
Why Go to Flight School?
What sort of personality do you need to become a commercial airline pilot? According to one NASA study, pilots should be low in anxiety, depression, hostility, and impulsiveness. The ideal pilot is high in conscientiousness, deliberation, striving, dutifulness, and assertiveness. If this sounds like you, you’ll probably fit right in at flight school.
Once your training is complete, your job outlook is golden. Due to current pilot shortages and better-than-average job growth, airlines no longer require pilots to have a four-year degree or an educational background in aviation and aeronautics.
If that doesn’t convince you, how about this: Pilots earn on average $135,000 a year (and free travel!).
The Takeaway
Flight school is pricey: upwards of $100,000 (or more) for two years of education and training. However, financial aid is available — from scholarships and need-based grants to programs subsidized by the G.I. Bill and airline companies. Take care when selecting your flight school, because only certain accredited programs offer opportunities for federal aid.
While some private lenders offer loans for flight school, SoFi does not. SoFi does, however, offer private student loans for eligible graduate certificate programs. If you’re a college student interested in pursuing a certificate program, a SoFi private loan could be a tool to help you finance the program.
SoFi private student loans offer competitive interest rates for qualifying borrowers, flexible repayment plans, and no fees.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
Can you go to flight school with no money saved up?
Financial aid is available for qualifying candidates. If you enter an undergraduate aviation program at an accredited college or university, you can fill out the FAFSA to see if you qualify for federal aid. Also, due to the current shortage of commercial pilots, several airlines have developed pilot training programs that place graduates in airline jobs.
Do airlines pay for flight school and training?
Some airlines do have pilot development programs that require no prior experience or educational background. However, funding varies by company — some may offer financing (basically, a loan) rather than subsidizing tuition. Check with Frontier, Delta, United, JetBlue, and Alaska Airlines to see how their programs are structured.
What makes the cost of flight training so high?
It’s expensive to rent aircraft for training purposes. Additional costs may include surcharges for fuel, insurance, instructor fees, and so forth. A school must cover its costs, and one way to do so is through student fees.
Photo credit: iStock/mladn61
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