Don't rule out college aviation...

[scramjet]

As some of you may or may not know, I'm a community college student who will be finishing my associate degree and moving on to the state system to finish my four year degree. My college has an aviation program, which due to my career backup plans, I decided not to do plus I automatically assumed it would be very expensive being a college aviation program. Well, registering for the spring semester, I figured I'd find out some information about it for grins and giggles. Turns out the state subsidizes flight training through that college for 40% of its cost for residents. So to finish my private pilot license (and earn ten credits in the process) will cost me a little more than half of what I'd be paying at a local flight school. And I MAY be able to apply it to my general studies program. To finish my ratings overall there would be a pretty significant savings. Although I'll be graduating in the spring (and moving on), I'll certainty take a look at keeping enrolled there (or more likely coming back after I finish my bachelor's) for the significant instructional savings. The lesson? Shop around and take a close look at state college aviation programs, it may be cheaper than you think!

[Diego Dangers.]

which community college is this? allegheny?

[scramjet]

Beaver, but seeing it's state subsidized, Allegheny might have a similar thing. I believe Allegheny has a pilot degree...?

[Diego Dangers.]

makes me regret not moving in with my sister. dang.

[athomeinthesky]

Are you sure? maybe its different in each state but when I was looking at it, it appeared that doing an aviation degree will help you out in only one way and that is opening you up to get approved for a higher amount alternative loans.

Example: you get basically the same type of loan you get if you just went to a cessna school and applied for sallie mae except this loan is tied to when you graduate from college and it will be approved for a higher amount.

This was with Utah Valley State College and a local state college here so it would be interesting to see if I got screwed.

[scramjet]

Originally Posted by athomeinthesky

Are you sure? maybe its different in each state but when I was looking at it, it appeared that doing an aviation degree will help you out in only one way and that is opening you up to get approved for a higher amount alternative loans.

Example: you get basically the same type of loan you get if you just went to a cessna school and applied for sallie mae except this loan is tied to when you graduate from college and it will be approved for a higher amount.

This was with Utah Valley State College and a local state college here so it would be interesting to see if I got screwed.

From what I understand, it's a PA specific thing. It's a state subsidy to the college to allow for cheaper flight training. You have to be a resident of PA specifically and of Beaver County in my case. How it works is I do their groundschools on campus and sign up for a flight training account at the contracting flight school THROUGH the college cashier's office. Then I fly and the contracting flight school bills the college which is my money and the state subsidy. I guess Pennsylvania is trying to takes steps to stem the supposed pilot shortage or something I don't know. But, provided I can fit it in to my general studies, I'm not doing my degree in aviation, just getting the private. If I can't fit it in my general studies, I'll come back and do a second AAS after I'm done with my four year (and get the whole career pilot deal). It's too good of a deal to pass up.

[crosby87]

Yea, that's pretty much how it works. I instruct at the flight school contracted through Allegheny Community College and I myself went through that program.

The way our Community Colleges work for normal tuition is that the state pays 1/3, the county 1/3 and the student 1/3. Flight training, since it is considered part of tuition costs is subsidized 1/3 by the state. It's a pretty good deal - I received PPL - CFI for around $25k and got a degree in the process.

Beaver is very similar but does not offer the aviation degree, although they do have a great ATC program.

[mhcasey]

A buddy of mine did most of his ratings at either TSTC (Texas State Technical College) or CTC (Central Texas College) and got some very impressive deals as well. He did his multi in a C310 and single commercial in a Mooney for less than I paid for a C172RG and what I'll pay for a Duchess if I ever get around to it. He didn't end up taking out loans, but I'm sure student loans for college have significantly lower rates than Sallie May. At larger schools like Purdue, Oklahoma State, etc. you may be able to get any number of general education scholarships that could significantly trim down your costs.

Seems like there was money to be saved on that end, but not much fun. Very structured environment. My buddy complains all the time about not getting to take any fun trips. He also got about 0 safety pilot time (whether or not that's a good thing can be discussed in another thread, but it's obviously a cheaper thing). Apparently there are like 3 girls at those schools too...

He is a very good pilot though.

[scramjet]

Originally Posted by crosby87

Yea, that's pretty much how it works. I instruct at the flight school contracted through Allegheny Community College and I myself went through that program.

The way our Community Colleges work for normal tuition is that the state pays 1/3, the county 1/3 and the student 1/3. Flight training, since it is considered part of tuition costs is subsidized 1/3 by the state. It's a pretty good deal - I received PPL - CFI for around $25k and got a degree in the process.

Beaver is very similar but does not offer the aviation degree, although they do have a great ATC program.

Beaver actually does have a pro pilot AAS, I would dig up the link but the CCBC website is notoriously slow haha.

[crosby87]

The last issue of AOPA Flight Training (the one with the blond girl on the cover) had a list of aviation colleges. They had beaver in there, but didn't check off the Professional Pilot degree box.

Now that I think about it, I did look into that program before I started CCAC, so maybe AOPA messed up or I just missed it.

[KLB]

Another advantage of collegiate aviation training is that the government loans usually have lower interest rates than private loans. There's also lots of scholarships and grant money on collegiate side. About 30% of my training was paid for with money awarded through scholarships. I am a product of a college aviation program and the rates at my alma mater were significantly cheaper than what I paid at the local fbo's.

I regret all the crap I had to put up with in the college setting though.

[Diego Dangers.]

hey crosby, you sure its 1/3 1/3 and 1/3? on the PFTC site it only says UP TO 30%. I was thinking of enrolling at CCAC come August.