I will submit the VA Form for a reimbursement of the 8 FAA check rides which total up to almost $5,000. I am aware that I will have to provide the cash up front for each throughout the training.
I went on an introductory flight last Monday (6 April) with an instructor who had around 900 hours. His opinion was that I did well for someone with zero time (could've been his attempt at a selling point). But he was very thorough, knowledgeable, and definitely someone who I'd love to be a student of. I did ask him of that possibility and he said it depended on his availability as an instructor and my schedule of when I actually begin at the school. Everyone and everything seemed very professional and top-notch. I think it's the fact of taking that "leap of faith" into the school is what's still bothering me.