Some Advice...
 

Hey All, I have a problem and am looking for some ideas...I just turned 19 years of age...I Finished school blah blah blah blah...Have a stable job with an airline...And it's been my life long goal to become an airline pilot. Only problem is I have no family or anyone to help me get a loan. Now I know there's grants etc out there But what would you suggest...Many places I have looked at and schools say I cant get approved either because of my age/assets...Or because my adopted parents already made too much...And they no longer associate with me in any way shape or form...Hardest thing is getting that big loan to attend the schools in which Id like to go to...But flying is flying and thats all I want to do...Any suggestions...

Thanks

AFA / USNA or 4 year degree then OTS/OCS
 

How were your grades in HS? No problem, still look into it, just be ready for a hard sell to get you enlisted...

Not interested in AFA / USNA...Finish your four year degree then apply for OTS/OCS...

I would not recommend the loan , you'll be paying for years and the interest rate will be high...my old cfi had been at it for 6 years and still had $$$ left on his load- he gave up flying and joined the oakland pd...I tried to tell him about the AF- no joy, he said it was too dangerous with the war and all...Imagine that- too dangerous to be in the AF so he joins the oakland pd.

Military is an excellent way to go and get your training...Who knows you may enjoy whats left of military culture and decide to make it a career...

My two cents worth...

Military
 

If you are having trouble getting a loan the military is a very good idea to try. Even if you don't get to fly with them after 4 years the GI bill would cover 60% if flight training costs at a qualified flight school. If the military isn't what your thinking of. Grants depend on income if you don't live with your parents there are a ton of grants to get, it just takes some research. I am also only 19 and I got a loan to go to Regional airline academy without a co-signer from key bank. You could try that. You could also go to college and get a job to pay for lessons.

Don't Get a Loan
 

Just get two jobs and buy the training as you can afford it. That is the way we had to do it in the old days. There were no loans back then. Hold off on college until you get all your ratings and then go. You can flight instruct between classes.

SkyHigh

GI Bill...
 

Don't use the GI Bill for flight training...Its better invested into a degree - NOT RELATED TO AVIATION - so you have something to fall back on...I've got the GI Bill and am using it (thru TOP UP...I've already got a BS..) to complete my Cisco certifications - this way if the flying doesn't work out or while I CFI during the day I can work nights/swings as a network admin/engineer and pay the bills...

My two cents worth....

-LA

Thanks for the replies.I will do what all of you had said...The military isnt quite what I was thinking because I have asthma and such...Automatic disqualification...But I will give it a second shot and see what happens. Thanks