Wow, painful to read... I'm currently finishing up my instructor ratings, all paid for by the GI Bill. If he had done it right, he'd be completely debt free. Not sure if there's a way out of the hole he has dug himself. However, I think debt means very little in the long run when it comes to succeeding in a life's goal. I guess it depends how bad he wants it. If it were me, I'd press on.