Financing the Cost to Fly
AeroGuard Flight Training
At AeroGuard we understand having financing options, and keeping costs manageable, is important to students. AeroGuard offers multiple payment options and financing partners to help students get the most out of their flight training. Students may opt to pay directly for their flight training or finance the cost of the Pilot Pathway Program with one of AeroGuard’s lending partners.
In addition to our lending partners, students at AeroGuard can also elect to combine their flight training within a degree program enabling Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA), other grants and loans, as well as the V.A. and G.I Bill®. These programs are run with University Partners and students would organize their financial aid directly with them.
Ensuring a payment plan has been established for the entirety of a student’s training curriculum prior to the start of training allows students to keep flying, training, and progressing through the course.
AeroGuard currently works with the following loan providers:
Start Your Pilot Career in 2025!
New Year, Pilot Career: Start preparing for your future career now and save over $3,000! Enroll in flight school this New Year with AeroGuard and we’ll provide the first 10 Flight Hours FREE and waive your Enrollment Fee – a value of over $3,000!
- Join the Pilot Pathway Program no later than Instrument Rating
- Enroll in the January or February Start Dates*
- 10 Flight Hours will be credited after completion of first FAA Rating
AeroGuard partners with multiple lending partners that offer up to 100% financing to fund your training. Start building your commercial airline pilot career now!
*Students are eligible for promotion if they begin AeroGuard’s Pilot Pathway Program prior to 2/28/25, joining the program no later than the start of the Instrument Rating course. Within the promotion, the Enrollment Fee of $150 will be waived and students’ First 10 hours of flight time will be credited back to Student’s account upon successful completion of their first FAA certificate or rating (Private Pilot License or Instrument Rating). Other terms of enrollment are not impacted.
Finance 100% of Your Flight Training Program with APCU/Center Parc Credit Union
APCU/Center Parc Credit Union’s program with AeroGuard was built from a career-focused mindset and its purpose is to provide funding for flight school students through the CFI stage, and offer flexible payment options and competitive interest rates as cadets build their 1,500 hours and establish their careers as professional pilots.
This Program Includes:
- 100% financing for the full flight training program and living expenses
- Fixed and variable rate options
- Up to 36 months with no repayment
- 6-month grace period at end of program
- Applicants must join APCU/Center Parc Credit Union
- Open to students at all AeroGuard training locations
Flight Training Financing with Skybound, a program provided by FMS Bank, an FDIC insured institution and serviced by ZuntaFi
Skybound was created by a financial institution who recognizes the need for new pilots and is passionate about providing students a helpful financing solution. The program is available to qualified U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Qualified students are able to finance their flight training tuition plus additional funds for housing and living stipends up to an aggregate maximum of $100,000. To be eligible for a Skybound private student loan, the borrower or their cosigner must have:
- 3 years of Credit History
- Minimum of $18,000 of verifiable income in prior year
- Credit Score of at least 680
- 10% down payment
There are many benefits students receive when working with ZuntaFi and the Skybound program including:
- Personal Assistance – Upon application, you’ll be matched with one of their experts who will be a single, consistent point of contact.
- Financial Difficulty Assistance – Forbearance options are available to qualified borrowers experiencing temporary financial challenges. Their team is happy to discuss options at any time.
- 24/7 Online Access – Easily manage your loan payments and retrieve loan details through our intuitive borrower portal whenever it is most convenient for you.
- Customer-First Philosophy – Customer relationships are at the heart of everything they do. They prioritize relationships over transactions and work to do right by you every time.
- Automatic Payment Discount – Receive a 0.25% rate discount for payments made via automatic debit.
- No Prepayment Fee – There is no prepayment fee for this loan which provides additional incentive to pay your loan off early.
Stratus Financial Flight Training Loans – Passionate About Aviation and Created by Pilots, for Pilots.
Stratus Financial was founded by FAA Certified Flight and Ground Instructors with a goal to help others achieve their aviation dreams. They understand this process first-hand and are prepared to help aspiring pilots reach their career goals and set them up for success. Stratus looks past the typical FICO scores and look at you as a whole aviator, already setting you up for success before you apply.
They don’t just fund your flight training education – they fund your future pilot career.
Stratus offers lending packages that include:
- Efficient, hassle-free funding process.
- Full financing for your entire flight training and more.
- Affordable payment options, including deferment for 12 months while you complete your training AND find a job.
- Pay your loan off any time you want with no consequences or penalties whatsoever.
VA Benefits for Flight School
AeroGuard is a VA Approved Flight School in the state of Arizona, which means some of your incurred flight training costs may be eligible to be paid for by the VA. As a Veteran, there are benefits you have access to when it comes to funding your flight training and it’s important to consider which GI Bill you have, Post-9/11 or Montgomery, as they provide different benefits for flight school:
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: The Post 9/11 GI Bill offers specific benefits for each academic year (August 1st to July 31st) for flight training up to the non-vocational training expense maximum.
- Montgomery GI Bill: The maximum financing for flight training with the Montgomery GI Bill is up to 60% of all approved flight training charges.
Training has to take place within approved VA and FAA Approved 141 courses, and does not include Private Pilot License training. AeroGuard Enrollment Advisors can help explain how your VA Benefits are applied to training within our Pathway Program, and the differing financial requirements. When considering flight training, it’s important to understand how you can best utilize your benefits and make informed decisions about your training and career path. Reach out to your Enrollment Advisor to learn more and determine next steps!
Cash Payment Plans
Students who enroll in the Pilot Pathway Program can also choose to follow a cash payment plan for training that offers an attractive path for those who can’t or don’t want to use our lending partners or have alternative sources of funding available to them.
Cash payment schedules, amount and timing of payments will depend on your program and can be designed with your Enrollment Advisor.
Enrollment Advisors are Here to Help
No matter what payment option you decide to take for your flight training journey, our enrollment advisors are here to help walk you through the process. If you’re not sure which option may be the best for you, our enrollment advisors can help you understand the details of each one before you decide and properly direct you to the correct application for what you need.
It’s important to arrange and secure your payment plan for your whole program before the start of training to ensure there are no breaks in training during the program, keeping you flying, training and progressing in the course. Fill out the form below to speak with an enrollment advisor on how you can secure your financing today.