Paid for half my college with scholarships and working as an RA (free room and board) during my sophomore and junior years. Parent's paid other half.

For my licenses and ratings, I paid for them with my own money I had saved from my first job, money I had invested in the stock market, and summer jobs and internships while in college. I NEVER went into debt getting my licenses and ratings (although I came close). Once I became a CFI, I started saving a little again, and hopefully that will get me through the first year at a regional as a FO without going into debt.

Recommendations.
Save as much as you can. How many kids saved almost every penny from their first job. I did.
Invest, invest, invest. The US economy is growing, and for the long term, the stock market WILL go up. I have more than doubled the money I invested in the stock market!!