So desperate... please help AVIATION/SPECIAL DEGREE COSTS

Paying for College
1

<p>I am starting a pilot training program this fall at a technical college, which awards an associate's degree and several pilot ratings. I have the first year covered financially via the remainder of my Post 9/11 GI Bill, but I am panicked about next fall (2015). Here is a breakdown of my issues:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I am married and my husband <em>apparently</em> makes too much money according to FAFSA for me to borrow federal loans. I think this is totally ludicrous, because his salary is less than what one year of school costs! The FAFSA does not include any school fees beyond the base tuition, so the $10,000 per semester of fuel costs and other massive equipment fees are ignored in regards to loans.</p></li>
<li><p>Most private loans do not allow a borrower to use the loan for a "career training" program (such as pilot training) because it doesn't award a 4 year degree. The only private loan I know of is through Sallie Mae and sports interest rates up to 14%, and also require you to be paying while in school among other disgusting loan practices. OUTRAGEOUS. </p></li>
<li><p>Other loans max out at $10,000-ish a year... not enough to cover my $30,000-ish flight costs.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I of course am pursuing scholarships, but even with my 4.0 GPA, graduating with my first degree with honors this August, and honorable military service, I cannot qualify for most of the scholarships for aviation because I am not a high school kid. My school will not work with me to find any other grants. ANY out-of-the-box ideas are much appreciated. I had no idea that a professional pilot training program would be this difficult to finance.</p>

2

<p>I should add, I do <em>NOT</em> have parents available to co-sign or pay for my school.</p>

3

<p>Your H does not make too much for you to borrow federal loans. You would be eligible for $9500 in federal unsubsidized loans at the very least. But this is it … that’s all that is available to any independent student who does not qualify for a Pell grant. </p>

<p>You can try finaid.org for information on private lenders.</p>

4

<p>I would double check that your school is eligible to administer federal loans.
Not all schools are, although that would be a red flag if they were not.</p>

5

<p>My one son did do a stint at an aviation techical college and there was no issue of not getting federal Direct Loans, but as Emeraldkity brings up, make sure that this particular college is eligible for Direct Loan use. You would be entitled to $9500 as an independent student with freshman status. Also, have you taken out loans before? Are you a new student? </p>

<p>Also, the flight lesson, the aviation training is expensive and one does have to come up with the funds for that. My son was not in the flight program so that did not pertain to him, but my friend’s son was, and she and her son struggled to pay for those flight hours. They were PELL eligible, but it was no go in terms of getting those hours paid even though required for his degree. That made his college years very expensive. He is a pilot now, and it did pay off, but it was a rough 5 years which is what it took to get him through.</p>