Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities
Phoenix East Aviation has successfully been training pilots for over 50 years and there is no sign of slowing down. Everyone who walks through their doors has one common goal, and that is to become a pilot. PEA offers multiple financing opportunities to assist students with their flight training. Whether a student is seeking financial aid to complete a Professional Program, or funding a specific license or rating, it is important to understand how financial aid and scholarships work for flight training. This newsletter will delve deeper into the scholarship and financial aid opportunities available for domestic students who are interested in completing their flight training at PEA.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Taking out a financial loan to support education can be a practical choice for many students. A student pilot looking to pursue a career in aviation understands that flight training is a major financial investment. However, loans can provide the necessary funds to cover tuition, materials, and other essential expenses. By securing a loan, students can access immediate resources to invest in their flight training and future. While loans do require repayment, they can be a valuable tool for managing education expenses and achieving long-term goals, making it possible for students to pursue their flight training without the immediate financial burden. Sallie Mae is the loan service provider partnered with PEA to offer financing options for students. They are a financial institution that provides students with resources and private student loans to cover any gaps in financing after income and savings, scholarships, grants, and other federal financial aid.
PEA is home to several aspiring pilots that come from all over the world and who have different backgrounds and specialities. Creating joint efforts with different companies is something that allows the atmosphere at PEA to remain inclusive and feel welcoming. PEA maintains eligibility with the VA, and continues to look to create as many new opportunities for students as possible, to help them become successful in the aviation field with as much funding as possible: The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is an educational benefit that may be used for flight training, with the VA typically reimbursing approximately 60% of the costs. This benefit can be applied to flight training after obtaining a Private Pilot License. MGIB benefits are available to a Veteran for up to 10 years from the date of last discharge or release from active duty. In certain special circumstances, this 10-year period can be extended. PEA’s professional flight training program is approved for Veterans training under the GI Bill as well. However, PEA recommends contacting the VA directly for further information.
In addition to maintaining eligibility with the VA, PEA introduces Breakturn. Breakturn is an intermediary between active duty service members transitioning to their next job and the aviation industry. Breakturn provides opportunities, designs, and manages programs for Service Members during their last 180 days of active duty. Breakturn assists in finding the right internship, apprenticeship, or training path to achieve the Veteran’s goal in the aviation industry. Oftentimes Veterans carry skills that will directly relate to what they want to do after the Military, however if they are looking to develop new skills, that is okay too. Breakturn provides the opportunity for Veterans to work with industry professionals who are happy to develop a new skill and/or polish their skills and recognize their value as a Service Member beyond their technical field. There are many financial benefits to working with Breakturn that will essentially help with one’s flight training. Breakturn is a Department of Labor and Department of Defense (DoD) approved and authorized via Title 10 USC. Ultimately the DoD’s goal is to gain post-service employment with a host company or another company. It is important to remember that while working with Breakturn, Service Members maintain all pay and benefits, and are not allowed to accept salary.
Breakturn is a DoD authorized third-party Skillbridge provider which gives partners instant access to the DoD program without navigating the DoD bureaucracy. Their unique model allows the primary focus to be on one sole industry… the aviation industry, and is the only third-party provider with career counseling specialists that precise Skillbridge placement based on a particular Service Member’s qualifications, wants, and needs.
Scholarship Opportunities
Phoenix East Aviation focuses solely on flight training, and although they are not a four-year university, scholarships are a virtual source of financial assistance for domestic student pilots. Unlike loans, scholarships provide free money that does not need to be repaid, offering significant relief from financial stress and allowing students to focus more on their flight training. The aviation industry is saturated with many different organizations that provide future and current pilots with the opportunity to be awarded scholarships. The two listed below are a couple of organizations PEA works closely with to ensure their students have scholarships and other aviation industry related opportunities that set them up for success with their flight training and beyond.Phoenix East Aviation focuses solely on flight training, and although they are not a four-year university, scholarships are a virtual source of financial assistance for domestic student pilots. Unlike loans, scholarships provide free money that does not need to be repaid, offering significant relief from financial stress and allowing students to focus more on their flight training. The aviation industry is saturated with many different organizations that provide future and current pilots with the opportunity to be awarded scholarships. The two listed below are a couple of organizations PEA works closely with to ensure their students have scholarships and other aviation industry related opportunities that set them up for success with their flight training and beyond.
Women in Aviation International (WAI) is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women within the aviation industry and has many chapters throughout the country. PEA proudly participates in the local events hosted by the Daytona Beach chapter. Many of their students and instructors are proud members of this organization. Women in Aviation International recognizes that flight training is a costly investment, and to address this challenge, companies and individuals who are members of WAI provide funds annually to WAI members for scholarships. These scholarships are available for various aviation related fields, catering to different ages and stages in their flight training. The scholarships offered by WAI are available to members globally, and the 2025 scholarships can now be accessed through their website. Applications must be submitted by the deadline of October 11, 2024.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for general aviation and the freedom to fly. With affiliates in 74 countries and more than 600,000 customers each month, AOPA is on a mission to make aviation accessible to everyone by ensuring it remains safe, fun, and affordable. AOPA offers a variety of flight training scholarships to support aspiring pilots. While an individual must be a member of this organization, they do have the opportunity to earn scholarships totaling over $1 million, making a significant impact on their flight training experience. These scholarships, ranging from $2,500 to $14,000 are available for those who are just beginning their flight training as well as for those seeking to advance their skills with additional ratings and certificates. The 2025 AOPA Foundation Scholarships will open on September 9, 2024.
Are you interested in learning more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities you may qualify for to assist with flight training at PEA? Their esteemed admissions team is here to help! Please email PEA at info2@pea.com to get more information and/or to get in touch with an admission officer.
