financing

Aviation College Grants For Your Flight Training Education

Aviator College — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:21:00 GMT

Demand for professional pilots is expected to grow at an average of 1% per year through the year 2020, with regional airlines predicted to have the best career opportunities.

Aviation schools offer training for a variety of exciting careers in the aviation industry. Whether you want to pursue a career as an aircraft pilot, an aircraft electronics specialist, an air traffic controller, or some other specialty, there are a range of flight schools to choose from, both on college campuses, and online. When you've completed your training, you'll be ready to enter a growing job market in a thriving industry - and you'll also be in line for a career that promises to be financially rewarding.

Aviation is a very achievable goal. One of the biggest factors that prevent the dream from happening is the expense of aviation education. Although flight training cost can be expensive and time consuming, the choices flight training students make can reduce the flight training costs and will not deter them from making their dream of becoming a pilot a reality.

Applying for grants can help to defray these costs, and, unlike loans, you do not need to repay a grant.

Federal Grants

Students enrolled in accredited programs can apply for two grants offered by the U.S. government. Depending on how much a student's family can contribute financially, the government can award a Pell Grant that provides between $400 to $4,050. Future pilots can also apply for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which the government can award in amounts ranging from $100 to $4,000 per year. Both grants require that students enroll on a minimum half-time basis and that evaluators award both grants based on a student's financial need. To receive consideration for either of these grants, you must first file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Pell Grants

For those interested in learning how to fly through an accredited college or university, there are federal Pell Grants available. The application process is done either through the government website, or through the university or college's bursar's office. Pell Grants can be used to further your aviation career and gain a pilot's license. The Pell Grants are awarded through the U.S. Department of Education (see Resources).

U.S. Department of Education
Federal Student Aid
8930 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64114
319-337-5665
fafsa.ed.gov

Individual Flight Schools

When you begin looking to start flying, you will be shopping for flight schools. Ask them if they offer any sort of in-house grants or scholarships. Aviator is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). We are approved by the Federal Department of Education to offer low interest Federal Student Loans to students who qualify. These loans are available for students enrolled in our Professional Pilot Program, Commercial Pilot Program, and Veterans Professional Pilot Program. To speak to the Financial Aid Administrator or Veterans Programs Administrator, call Amy Roth at 772-466-4822 or click Financing for more details.

Women in Aviation

Because women make up only 6 percent of the 600,000 active pilots in the U.S., Women in Aviation seeks to encourage women aviators by awarding yearly grants to future female pilots. The application procedure includes an essay, enrollment in a school and membership in this organization.

Women in Aviation, International
Morningstar Airport
3647 State Route 503 South
West Alexandria, OH 45381-9354
937-839-4647
wai.org

Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals

The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals offers scholarships to minority students seeking to obtain a commercial pilot license. Award amounts vary, with the average grantee receiving $1,000.

Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals
1 Westbrook Corporate Center
Suite 300
Westchester, IL 60154
800-JET-OBAP
obap.org

National Gay Pilot Association Grant

The National Gay Pilot Association Grant provides funding for future pilots enrolled in professional flight or aviation training programs at colleges, technical schools and government-approved commercial and private flight schools. While you do not need to identify yourself as gay or lesbian to apply, the grant evaluators give special consideration to people who are gay or lesbian.

National Gay Pilot Association
PO Box 7271
Dallas, TX 75209-0271
214-336-0873
ngpa.org

National Air Transport Association

Students pursuing a career as a general aviator (rather than a commercial airline pilot) can apply for one of the two yearly grants offered by the National Air Transport Association. Each grant is $2,500, and students who achieve academic excellence can renew that grant for a second year.

National Air Transport Association Foundation
4226 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22302
703-845-9000
nata.aero

International Organization of Women Pilots

The International Organization of Women Pilots (also known as the "ninety-nines") provides grants to current and future female pilots. Current pilots seeking additional certification (in other aircraft or aircraft types) can apply for the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship. Students enrolled in flight school who are not licensed pilots can apply for the New Pilot Award, which provides up to $1,500. To apply for either grant, you must join this organization.

The International Organization of Women Pilots
4300 Amelia Earhart Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73159
800-994-1929
ninety-nines.org

Distributed by Viestly

Making Flight Training Affordable

Aviator College — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:57:00 GMT

Getting a private pilot's license can be expensive and generally runs over $10,000. The choices flight training students make can reduce the costs, including flying a less expensive plane or signing up with a school where you can do much of the bookwork on your own without the expensive help of an instructor. Ensuring you have the time to take lessons at least once a week is another crucial factor in the cost.

In most cases your Private Pilot Training will take somewhere around two or three months. You can do an accelerated training course that you can complete in as little as 3 weeks or so. There are things that will hold you back if you aren't prepared.

The basic set rule is that you must at least clock 40 hours of basic training. These 40 hours will include learning night flying, dual instruction, solo cross country flying and instrument learning. You need to know that 40 hours is the minimal you can get. The amount of time spent on training might depend on the schools regulations, how you perform in the various tests, among other factors. A good lesson will also vastly invest in ground instruction training. You need to note that flying is not all there is with private piloting; you also have to learn the art of communication.

Reduce Your Flight Training Expenses

Outlined below are some tips on how you can reduce your flight training expenses, written by Jane Doyle.

1. FAA School Part Programs

Choose a school that lets you do most of the bookwork on your own rather than having to pay upward of $50 an hour for ground school instruction. Part 141 schools are FAA certified and require more ground school instruction hours. Part 61 schools are more lax and allow students to do most of the bookwork on their own, only paying for actual flight instruction time. Some Flight 141 schools allow students to operate under Part 61 rules.

2. Aircraft Use

Choose smaller, less expensive planes to learn in. A Cessna 152 costs generally about $70 an hour to use during instruction, according to Flight School Blog. A Cessna 172, however, costs $109 an hour. Because the minimum number of flight instruction hours required by the FAA is 40, that's a savings of nearly $3,000.

3. Commitment

Commit to getting your license as quickly as possible. Many would-be pilots take classes in their spare time, meaning much is forgotten in between lessons and must be repeated. This can increase the cost of getting a license. Flight School Blog recommends you not let more than a week pass from one lesson to the next in order to get the best value.

4. Study hard.

Take responsibility for understanding and retaining the written information and instructions you have and replaying and practicing any lessons you learned while flying. The better student you are, the more quickly and less expensively you will be able to get your license. Since you legally can take your flight test after 40 hours, for example, if you work hard and study between classes, you may actually take it then, rather than after the average 70 hours.

Loans and Financing for Flight Training

There are many options available. Here is a quick summary on how you can get financing for your flight school training.

FAFSA - or Free Application for Federal Student Aid - is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study.
Federal Stafford Loans (FFEL): Amounts may vary each year and are dependent on need and the grade year of the student.
Federal Direct Loans: Amounts may vary each year and are dependent on need and the grade year of the student.
Federal Perkins Loan: This low-interest loan is dependent on availability of funds each year and must be repaid to the flight school you are attending.
Career Education Loans

Financing at Aviator College

Private Educational Loans are available for all of the programs offered at Aviator Academy. The relationships we have established with our lenders offer our students the best suitable financial assistance for their individual needs

Veterans Benefits

Approved for Post 9/11 Chapter 33 Benefits - Full funding available for tuition and flight training.

Aviator is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). We are approved by the Federal Department of Education to offer low interest Federal Student Loans to students who qualify. These loans are available for students enrolled in our Professional Pilot Program, Commercial Pilot Program, and Veterans Professional Pilot Program.

Distributed by Viestly

Financing For Your Flight School Training

Sofia Sapojnikova — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:06:55 GMT

Are you thinking about how you’re going to finance your flight training? Financing your flight training is not really that hard. There are a couple of financing options that are available to you. Before you start searching for other means of financing your flight training; you should check with your local flight school to see what type of flight training financing they offer. Usually flight schools might have deals with local banks that could offer you reasonable rates for borrowing money for your flight training.

Financing Tips, Loans and Programs

FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid - is the first step in the financial aid process for your flight school. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study. Most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. Visit their website for more information.

The following is a list of federal grant and loan programs:

Federal Stafford Loans (FFEL): Amounts may vary each year and are dependent on need
and the grade year of the student.

Federal Stafford Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
The FFEL PLUS loan can be borrowed by the parents of the dependent undergraduate student to help pay for
their child’s education. The PLUS loan is not based on financial need. The amount
borrowed each year is limited to the cost of attendance less other forms of assistance.

Federal Direct Loans
Amounts may vary each year and are dependent on need and the grade year of the student.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
The Direct PLUS loan can be borrowed by the parents of the dependent undergraduate student to help pay for
their child’s education. The PLUS loan is not based on financial need. The amount borrowed each year is limited to the cost of attendance less other forms of assistance.

Federal Perkins Loan
This low-interest loan is dependent on availability of funds each year and must be repaid to the flight school you are attending. The loan accrues no interest while the student attends school or during the nine-month grace period.

Pell Grants
This need-based award varies. The award amount is directly related to the student’s expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA form and the student’s enrollment status (full time, half time, etc.)

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
Grants through this federal program are available to a limited number of students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students with the greatest need.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
This federal grant is for full-time, undergraduate, Pell Grant-eligible U.S. citizens who have completed a rigorous High School curricula and are in their first two years of study. ACG grants are for first and second-year students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Aviation Career Training Loans
Are a great way to pay for your aviation training. These types of loans are specifically used for technical training, trade school and other education programs. If you have looked everywhere and still haven’t found a way to pay for your aviation training then you should probably try and apply for a career training loan.

Flight Training Scholarships

There are many organizations that offer aviation related scholarships. The great thing about scholarships it that you never have to pay them back. Its free money for your flight training needs. Flightschoollst website offers the list and information you can review to make an informed decision.

Veterans Benefits

Prospective student who performed active duty after September 10, 2001 have additional eligiblity for funding. Read about the new VA benefit in a letter from the Director of VA Education Services.

Preparing for flight school or flight college takes planning and organization. Paying for flight college usually requires some kind of financial aid. Students enrolled with Aviator College may be eligible for Federal Financial Aid, Veterans Benefits, and Private Career Education Loans.

Distributed by Viestly