Financing

Flight Training can be expensive. We respect your time and money while striving to ensure every lesson is productive and fun. The last thing you want to do is run out of money and not be able to complete training. While saving up you will get rusty, forget knowledge and end up spending more, in the long run, having to get back to proficiency.

AOPA

If you have financial concerns, please let us know early so we can help you find some solutions. AOPA offers flexible financing options for those who qualify.

AOPA Flight Training Finance

Meritize

Are you pursuing a career in aviation?

We have partnered with the Meritize Platform to provide our students with financing options to fund your education. With a Meritize Loan, you can get credit for your merit and potentially improve your loan options by sharing your academic history or military background, if approved, full deferment during school is available for certain products.

Check your loan options in minutes without impacting your credit score at https://apply.meritize.com

If you already know which Rainier Flight Service Location you will be training at, use one of the custom links to apply:

Professional Pilot (Gig Harbor) – Meritize Apply
Professional Pilot (Renton) - Meritize Apply
Professional Pilot (Everett) - Meritize Apply

_{Meritize Lending, LLC, NMLS ID 1661035 (NMLS Consumer Access https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/)}

_{Meritize Financial, Inc. NMLS ID 1986399 (NMLS Consumer Access https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/)}

_{Terms and Conditions apply. Meritize branded loan products are educational loans issued by Meritize Lending, LLC**. Meritize reserves the right to modify or discontinue products and benefits at any time without notice. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or hold an Employment Authorization Document and meet Meritize’s underwriting requirements. If approved for a loan the actual loan amount, term, payment, and APR amount of loan that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law and other factors. Meritize does not warrant or guarantee any claims made herein, including, but not limited to, gaining admission to a program, concerning the quality or financial strength of any educational institution, securing funding or obtaining employment. Our final loan offer may differ as a result of the school chosen and the associated cost of tuition. Not all schools are eligible for funding. Meritize does not offer educational loans in the following states: IN, ME, ND, NV, SD, VT, WI, WV, WY, PR. All rights reserved.}

_{**For residents of SC, loan is made by Meritize Financial, Inc.}

_{*Variable rates are subject to change.}

Other Aviation Scholarships

Many scholarships are available to help cover the cost of flight training. Here are a few we have compiled to assist you finding additional funds to reach your goals.

Experimental Aircraft Association: The EAA offers various flight training scholarship opportunities for pilots in all different stages of proficiency, including several for individuals under 18. These scholarships will reopen March 1, 2019, so check with the EAA soon. Post-secondary scholarships are also offered for students who have graduated high school and want to further their college education by pursuing a career in aviation. Ten post-secondary scholarships are offered by the EAA and applications are due by January 31.

F lying Musicians Association: This scholarship might be music to your ears if you are a high school junior or senior. The FMA accepts nominations from high school music directors recommending students who are enthusiastic about aviation. The FMA partners each scholarship recipient with a local flight school in his or herarea. Nominations are due by January 31.

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Students in science or engineering programs pursuing a career in aerospace can benefit by applying to one of the many scholarships offered by the AIAA each year. Scholarship funding ranges from $500 to $10,000. Applications must be received by January 31.

LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Scholarship: This scholarship supports anyone between the ages of 16 and 23 desiring to become a private pilot. Last year, two recipients received $5,000 to pay for flight instruction. Applications are due by January 31.

National Business Aviation Association: The NBAA charities award scholarships for careers in aviation, aviation management, and aviation maintenance. Applicants are expected to be currently enrolled in higher-ed aviation related curricula or working professionals looking for career advancement in aviation. Applications are due throughout the year. The next application deadline is February 1.

AOPA Foundation: The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) awards more than $1 million per year inscholarships for high school students, aspiring pilots, and current pilots. In 2019, the AOPA intends to distribute $10,000 flight training scholarships to 80 high school students, ages 15 to 18, and 20 high school teachers as part of the AOPA You Can Fly program, which was designed to create a more vibrant pilot community. Primary flight training scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 are available for anyone seeking a private, sport, or recreational pilot certificate. For advanced ratings (instrument, commercial, CFI, CFII, MEI), scholarships rangefrom $3,000 to $10,000. All scholarship applicants must be AOPA members, however there are free student memberships. Applications must be received before midnight April 2, 2019.

Air Traffic Control Association: The ATCA Scholarship Fund awarded 10 scholarships in 2018 totaling $108,000. Scholarships are broken into five categories and offer assistance to pay for tuition, books, or any school-related expenses. There are options for students working toward careers in aviation, and ATC employees and their children. Applications are due by June 1, 2019.

Aviation Distributors and Manufacturers Association: The ADMA offers at least one scholarship for college juniors seeking a professional pilot or aviation management undergraduate degree. Selection is based on merit, letters of recommendation, and an essay. Applications are due by April 1, 2019.

Women in Aviation International: In 2019, WAI will distribute $780,000 in scholarships to pilots and aspiring pilots in all stages of life from all over the world. The applications for this year are closed, so stay tuned for the 2020 scholarship application window later this year.

Civil Air Patrol: The CAP has a program called CadetInvest that offers flight scholarships and financial assistance to cadets with strong academic achievement. The CAP also has a partnership with the Air Force Academy to offer cadets written endorsements to attend the Academy. Cadet annual membership fees are less than $50.

The Ninety-Nines: The slogan of the 99s is “Inspiring Women Pilots Since 1929,” and part of the inspiration is funding scholarships! The 99s have distributed over $11 million through more than 500 Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships since the 1940s. Applicants must be a member of the organization and funding covers all levels of flight training. Applications are due January 1, so while the deadline has recently passed, use this time to join a local chapter and apply for next year.

Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals: The OBAP has provided more than $4.8 million in scholarships to nearly 500 recipients to promote diversity in aviation careers. Scholarships are awarded in spring and fall for individuals in an aviation-program who are interested in pursuing a career in the airlines. Applicants must already have a private pilot certificate and membership in the OBAP is highly encouraged. Spring scholarship applications may be opening soon.

Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation: The AEA Educational Foundation will award scholarships to students pursuing a career in avionics or aircraft maintenance, as well as students from AEA member companies.