Aviation Financial Aid Information

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

All students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA determines student eligibility for grants such as Pell and SEOG. These grants are based upon financial need, and the offered amount will be determined by the information submitted on the FAFSA. The application can be found at studentaid.gov. 

Loans

Students should only borrow loans after all other options for aid have been exhausted. Student loans must be repaid. Loans are available from the following sources:

• Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program - Direct loans come from the Department of Education, and typically come in two different forms: subsidized and unsubsidized. The type of loan and the amounts are based upon information submitted on the FAFSA. With subsidized loans, the Federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled in school. Dependent undergraduate students may also be eligible for the Parent PLUS loan, which is a loan borrowed by a student's parent(s) on their behalf.
• Private Loans - Private student loans (also sometimes referred to as alternative student loans) are loans from private lending institutions, such as banks or credit unions. Private student loans can vary from lender to lender, so research several different options before making a decision to ensure that you are getting the loan that works best for you. SUU has compiled a list of all private lenders selected by students at our school over the past three years.

More detailed information on student loans can be found on the SUU Student Loan page. Remember, when borrowing money to pay for school, only borrow what you need.

Scholarships

Scholarships are one of the best ways for future pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians to fund their training because the money never needs to be paid back! About $3.3 billion in gift aid is awarded by private sources each year. Unfortunately, there are many scholarships that go un-awarded each year because people simply think it’s too difficult to apply.

The selection process for scholarships can take a few months, deadlines are by sponsor and are not dictated by the University. It’s a good idea to begin reviewing scholarship opportunities prior to enrollment and continually throughout your education. Many scholarships come and go throughout the year, check this website and each opportunity frequently for accurate information.

Some scholarships may require a membership enrollment, and there can be a fee associated with the membership. The potential award of a scholarship may be worth the membership fee, but it is up to the student to decide. A scholarship application or membership to any affiliation does not guarantee the applicant funding and is not the responsibility of the University.

The University has gathered the below resources for students to seek out as a convenience for students and does not guarantee anything further than this page being a resource.

Sign Up for Bi-Weekly Aviation Scholarship Emails