FINANCING
Zero to Hero – Completely Financed
Deferred Payment Options
Airline qualified in under 3 years
Pilot Rise helps you become a pilot with a plan that fits your life and schedule. Financing is simply a tool to help you start sooner and stay consistent.
Our goal isn’t just your next rating — it’s preparing you for a prosperous aviation career.
Our Financing Options
Stratus Finance
Stratus Finance helps aspiring pilots finance their flight training by providing loans that typically cover the entire cost of a structured training program upfront. Their financing is designed for students pursuing professional pilot careers, allowing you to focus on training rather than paying as you go.
- Zero to Hero
- Longer loan terms
- Deferred payment options
- Designed for accelerated training
Flight Training Finance
Flight Training Finance offers flexible financing options that are often easier to qualify for than traditional career-training loans. Their loans are typically designed to finance one certificate at a time, giving you the flexibility to borrow only what you need as you progress through your training.
- Typically easier approval
- Finance one rating at a time
- Fully customizable
Other Financing Options
AOPA Finance
AOPA Finance offers a flexible flight training line of credit that can be used at participating flight schools as you progress through your training. Unlike a traditional student loan, you borrow what you need and can use the funds for different certificates and ratings over time. AOPA membership is required to apply.
- Best for flexible, pay-as-you-train financing
- Line of credit for multiple ratings
- Use funds as needed throughout training
- No down payment required
529 College Savings Plans
Many people still believe 529 College Savings Plans can only be used for traditional colleges and universities. That changed when “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” became law in 2025. It expanded qualified 529 expenses to include recognized postsecondary credentialing programs, including FAA pilot certificates and ratings. As a result, many flight training expenses may now qualify for tax-free 529 withdrawals. Always check with your plan administrator or tax advisor to confirm eligibility.
- Use existing 529 education savings
- Cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and required equipment
- Available for eligible FAA flight training programs
- Tax-advantaged way to pay for flight training
Personal Loans
Personal loans from banks, credit unions, and online lenders can be a simple way to finance flight training without going through a school-sponsored financing program. They offer flexibility to borrow only what you need and can be used for training at virtually any Part 61 flight school.
- Available through banks, credit unions, and online lenders
- No flight school partnership required
- Borrow only what you need
- Great for financing individual ratings or supplementing other funding sources
Aviation Scholarships
Thousands of dollars in aviation scholarships are awarded every year by organizations dedicated to helping aspiring pilots. Many scholarships can be used at Part 61 flight schools like Pilot Rise and do not require repayment. We encourage every student to apply, even if you think your chances are small.
Common scholarship providers include:
- AOPA Foundation: $250 to $14,000+
- EAA: Up to $10,000+
- Women in Aviation International: $1,000 to $20,000+
- Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP): Varies, including full and partial flight training scholarships
- Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA): Private Pilot & Advanced Rating Scholarships
One size does not fit all
Some students want a full zero-to-instructor path.
Some just need help finishing an instrument rating.
Some want steady monthly payments.
Others want maximum flexibility.
That’s why we offer multiple options — and we’ll help you choose the one that fits your goal, your timeline, and how you want to train.
And you’re not limited to our partners. If you have your own bank, credit union, or third-party lender, we can work with that too.
Call Us
Let’s build a tailored training and financing plan that fits you — before you apply anywhere.