Hi, I am a junior in high school in FL. I knew from when I was very young that I wanted to be a pilot. However, I also really want to go to a good 4 year university so that I can get a great variety of courses. Because of this, I have found colleges with flight degrees, especially bachelors flight degrees (Purdue, UND, SIU, Auburn, etc)to be a great option.
To give a rundown of my situation, my first two years of high school have consisted of mostly AP and Honors courses and all A’s. This year alone, I’m taking 5 AP’s and have basically secured an A in all of them for the semester. For this reason, my gpa is very high. Although I haven’t yet officially taken a standardized test, my PSAT and other practice SAT scores indicate, as of now, with a lot more studying ahead, a high 1400s. Because of this, getting in to most of the colleges I listed above shouldn’t be of my worries.
Recently, I’ve been telling my parents what I want to do with my life and my mom is supportive of the idea of me getting a flight degree but my dad is much against it. However, this doesn’t really matter because I don’t live with him. Either way, both of them strongly have said that I have to stay in Florida. This is where problems arise because really, the only good school in FL that has a good flight program (disregard embry riddle for reasons) is Florida Tech. My mom doesn’t make too much so if I want to go somewhere else, I think I’ll have to pay for it myself (should I go out-of-state). After watching videos on it and estimating prices, out-of-state aviation for a flight degree and university averages around 200k.
I really want to get my flight certificates and ratings but I also want to do 4-year. Since I’m still young, I really don’t know how much 200k really is and if it’s worth it. So my question is if it’s worth it and I know that there are better options.
-Since Florida Tech is private, it comes out to be more expensive than most out of state ones
A few things to consider when looking at flight degrees. At Florida Tech you graduate with your commercial pilot license and ratings with at least 190 hours of flight time.
However, major carriers (part 121} require an ATP ( Airline Transport Pilot ) Certificate. This requires a minimum of 1500 hours of flight time. or 1000 hours currently for a Restricted ATP
The US Air Force Academy is free and they give you a stipend. Your grades are high enough. You owe a number of years of service depending on your job, but you come out with the hours and skills.
If you went to UMiami (which meets full need and offers Bright Futures scholarships as well), would it be possible to enroll in flight training at Miami-Dade while there, or directly with one of the flight schools that Miami-Dade partners with?
My son got a 50% scholarship at Florida Tech and ERAU - so that’s some savings - but yes, flight hours are expensive until you can become an instructor. Also, you can use your BF at in-state privates I believe.
The good news is that salaries used to be pitiful and they’ve come way up.
How about an ROTC program.
There’s lots of colleges for flight - not lots but some - in addition to what you found but tuition alone wise, you’d be fine at Auburn…Purdue will be more. You might try Ohio U, Ohio State - both have scholarships. Or North Dakota which is affordable.
Air Force ROTC scholarship will cover tuition and fees along with providing a stipend. No guarantee you will get a flight spot, but it won’t cost you $200K.
Pro flight is very expensive at Purdue. Most of the students D knows try to graduate in three years and do what they can to get flight hours wherever else they can.
Your goal should be to minimize your debt. $200k is a huge amount to pay back. You personally can’t take out loans that big, your parents would have to do it for you.
I have an aspiring pilot as well. If you or your mom are on Facebook join the “Raising Aviation Teens” group. Lots of good information and advice on there.
Just beware that there is much more to gaining an appointment than good grades, and graduating from the USAFA does not guarantee a pilot slot. Cadets do not begin flight training until after graduation and only if they are selected for a pilot role. From this article describing the most recent graduating class, less than half of the 1,019 grads qualified for slots:
During our son’s time at USMA, USAFA came to the academy ■■■■■■■■ for pilot-qualified candidates because there were some slots they could not fill from their own cadet ranks. Apply to the Air Force academy because you want to serve as an officer wherever the force needs you, not because you dream of flying. (Of course, if the OP has to stay in FL, this option is out.)
Recently, I’ve been telling my parents what I want to do with my life and my mom is supportive of the idea of me getting a flight degree but my dad is much against it. However, this doesn’t really matter because I don’t live with him.
Schools that require financial information from both parents won’t care that he doesn’t live with you. He’ll still have to complete the forms. So his opinion does matter for schools that require his info. If he won’t provide it, you won’t be eligible for aid.
Either way, both of them strongly have said that I have to stay in Florida. This is where problems arise because really, the only good school in FL that has a good flight program (disregard embry riddle for reasons) is Florida Tech. My mom doesn’t make too much so if I want to go somewhere else, I think I’ll have to pay for it myself (should I go out-of-state).
You can’t borrow money without a cosigner. The only loan you’re eligible for is the ~$5500/year federal student loan. And you only get that if your parents complete the financial aid forms.
Can you get a 4-year degree in FL and pay for your flight classes after you graduate and get a job?
replying as a private pilot with little knowledge about the FL programs. Getting a pilot’s lic and building the 1000+ hours is crazy expensive. Think $100+ an hour just for the plane.
Lots of people make it work by getting a job instructing - the pay is typically pretty low but, the hours build pretty fast, if you work for a bigger school you have access to various types and they will discount your time in them.
Embry Riddle is the Big name in aviation colleges. Not sure why they are off your list.
I did a quick google and am not familiar with any of the other programs in FL so, really can’t help you sort them out.
Since you are a Jr, you have some time. Tour several, talk to current students. Then apply to a bunch - include the OOS schools you list and see what happens.
United Airlines has addressed this. Guaranteed job if you complete their program and they will help with financing. Their program can start at age 18, and they have a website for younger kids and parents as well. I am sure it is competitive for entry but it sounds like a great program.
One other thing to watch out for is that not all commercial pilots earn large paychecks flying for major commercial airlines. Many work for regional airlines* which pay much less. So be careful about debt.
*Regional airlines often fly under a sub-brand of a major airline, like American Eagle, Delta Connection, or United Express. A given major airline sub-brand may be operated by different regional airlines for different routes.
Thats. one of the options I was looking into includes going to a university and doing flight training on the side and thats still a great option but my only concern is time. Other than that, its a great idea.
Thanks for the clarification of the options. The schools you’ve listed are great schools that I will definetly be applying to. Hopefully, like you said, Florida Tech and Birght futures combined gives me enough where I dont have to worry. Other than that, I just have to hope at least one of the colleges offers enough financial aid
Yeah thats what I’m really looking into because Florida Tech is partnered with United aviate and if they give me enough, it would be perfect. As mentioned earlier, I do want do do the usual college and explore other interests while in college. For this reason, I’m hesitant to do flight school solely
Yeah, I figured 200k is too much. My only real hope there is to get as much in scholarships and since I am technically low-income, I hopefully should get a good bit. As for the 3 year track, I heard that to do that, you would need your PPL before you come to Purdue. Is that true? If it is, I would have no choice but to do 4-year because it would be virtually impossible to get it before high school because of reasons
I know air force is a track many aspiring pilots take but I don’t think it’s meant for me. When in college, I do also want to explore my interests and take as many rigorous courses as possible.
What I meant by that is that despite my dad being unsopprtive, I will still get a flight degree. I do have a savings with some amount of money and should get a good amount in scholarships because of need based low income and merit based. I am hesitant to wait to start flight training because the one downside of wanting to be a commercial pilot is the lifestyle and scheduling. For this reason, I want to gain seniority a much and fast as possible in my respective airline. I talked with a pilot once about this and thats what he told me