Can my parents cosign my aviation loan?

Yes, absolutely. Parents are the most common cosigners for student pilots. As long as they meet the lender's credit and income requirements, they can add their financial strength to your application to help you get approved for the full cost of flight training.

What credit score does a cosigner need for a flight school loan?

While the exact minimum varies by lender, a cosigner will generally need a credit score in the 'good' to 'excellent' range—typically 670 or higher on the FICO scale. A score above 720 will give you the best chance at securing the most competitive interest rates.

Is a cosigned personal loan different from a Federal Parent PLUS loan?

Yes, they are fundamentally different. With a cosigned personal loan, the student is the primary borrower and the loan appears on their credit report, helping them build credit. The parent is a guarantor. With a Parent PLUS loan, the parent is the sole borrower, and the debt is entirely in their name. Personal loans also offer more flexibility in how the funds can be used.

Can a cosigner be removed from an aviation loan later?

Some lenders offer a cosigner release option. This typically requires the primary borrower (the pilot) to make a consecutive series of on-time payments (e.g., 24 or 36) and to re-qualify for the loan on their own with their new income and credit score. It's a valuable feature to look for when comparing loan offers.

Does the cosigner have to make payments on the pilot loan?

The student pilot is expected to be the one making the monthly payments. However, the cosigner is equally and legally responsible for the debt. If the student pilot misses a payment, the lender has the right to seek payment from the cosigner immediately. This is why a clear repayment plan between both parties is so important.

Can we borrow enough to cover housing and living expenses during training?

Yes, one of the main advantages of a personal loan for flight training is its flexibility. Unlike some student loans that are sent directly to the school for tuition only, personal loan funds are typically disbursed to your bank account. This allows you to use them for the full cost of your education, including tuition, checkride fees, headsets, training materials, and reasonable living expenses.

Get a Personal Loan for Flight School with a Cosigner

For aspiring pilots with limited credit history, a creditworthy cosigner can unlock the financing you need to earn your wings.

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Is Your Dream of Flying Grounded by Financing Hurdles?

You have the ambition, but not the credit history lenders want to see.
We connect you with lenders who understand that a student pilot's credit file doesn't reflect their future earning potential.
Major banks don't offer specific 'pilot training' loans, leaving you with generic options that don't fit.
Our network specializes in personal loans that can be used for vocational training, including the full cost of flight school.
You're trying to figure out how your parents or another family member can help you secure a loan.
A cosigned loan is a clear, structured way for a creditworthy individual to lend their financial strength to your application.
You're worried the high cost of training—from PPL to ATP—is simply out of reach.
With a cosigner, you can often qualify for larger loan amounts that cover the entire journey, not just the first step.

How a Cosigner Makes Your Pilot Loan Possible

Embarking on a career as a professional pilot is a significant investment. For many aspiring aviators, especially younger applicants or those with a limited credit history, securing financing for $20,000 to $120,000 can feel impossible. This is where a cosigner becomes a crucial flight partner. A cosigner is a creditworthy individual—often a parent, spouse, or close family member—who agrees to share responsibility for the loan. They aren't just a character reference; they are legally obligated to make payments if the primary borrower (the student pilot) is unable to.

For lenders, a cosigner dramatically reduces the risk of the loan. By adding a second, financially stable party to the application, lenders can look at a stronger, more established credit profile, a higher income, and a lower debt-to-income ratio. This doesn't just increase your chances of approval; it can also help you qualify for a larger loan amount and, most importantly, a more competitive interest rate. A lower APR can save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan, making your path to the cockpit more financially manageable.

Ready to See Your Options with a Cosigner?

A joint application takes minutes and checking your rate won't impact either of your credit scores.

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A Simple, Straightforward Application Process

1
Start Your Application
The student pilot begins by filling out our simple online form with details about themselves and their flight training program. This takes about two minutes.
2
Invite Your Cosigner
You'll provide your cosigner's contact information. We'll send them a secure link to add their financial details to the application.
3
Review Offers Together
Once the joint application is complete, you'll see any pre-qualified loan offers you've received. You can compare APRs, terms, and monthly payments side-by-side.
4
Accept & Fund Your Training
After selecting the best offer, you'll complete final verification. Funds are typically sent directly to you or your flight school within a few business days.

Understanding the Full Cost of Flight Training

When applying for an aviation loan, it's essential to have a realistic budget. The total cost can vary significantly based on the school, location, and the type of aircraft used. A personal loan with a cosigner provides the flexibility to borrow for the entire program, ensuring you don't run out of funding midway through your ratings. Below is a typical breakdown to help you estimate your needs.

Example Flight Training Cost Breakdown

Private Pilot License (PPL) Approx. 60-70 hours	$15,000 - $20,000
Instrument Rating (IR) Approx. 40-50 hours	$12,000 - $18,000
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Approx. 100-120 hours	$25,000 - $40,000
Multi-Engine & Instructor Ratings (MEI/CFI/CFII) Additional certifications	$10,000 - $25,000

Estimated monthly

$1,365/mo

Estimated monthly payment on a $80,000 loan with a 7-year term at 11% APR.

Loan amount: $20,000 – $120,000
APR: 8.99% – 35.99%
Term: 36 mo – 84 mo

Your actual rate depends upon credit score, loan amount, loan term, and credit usage and history. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0.99%-8.99% of your loan amount, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive.

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Cosigned Personal Loans vs. Other Options

While a cosigned personal loan is a powerful tool, it's wise to understand how it compares to other financing avenues, such as Federal Parent PLUS loans or attempting to apply solo. A personal loan offers significant flexibility, as the funds can be used for tuition, equipment, checkride fees, and even living expenses. This is a key advantage over more restrictive loan types. Parent PLUS loans, while a common tool for traditional college, place the entire debt obligation on the parent, not the student. A cosigned personal loan makes the student the primary borrower, which can be an important distinction for both parties.

Financing Options for Flight School

	Cosigned Personal Loan	Federal Parent PLUS Loan	Applying Solo (Limited Credit)
Primary Borrower	Student Pilot	Parent	Student Pilot
Cosigner's Role	Shares legal responsibility	Not applicable (Parent is borrower)	Not applicable
Approval Chance	High (with strong cosigner)	High (with eligible parent)	Low
Use of Funds	Highly flexible (tuition, fees, etc.)	Restricted to school's cost of attendance	Highly flexible
Credit Building	Builds student's credit history	Builds parent's credit history	Builds student's credit history

What Lenders Look For in a Joint Application

Primary Borrower (Student): Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled or planning to enroll in a certified flight school, and meet the minimum age requirement (typically 18).
Cosigner Credit Score: While requirements vary, a strong cosigner generally has a good to excellent credit score (670 or higher) to unlock the best rates.
Cosigner Verifiable Income: The cosigner must demonstrate sufficient, stable income to cover their existing debts plus the potential new loan payment.
Cosigner Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio: Lenders look for a healthy DTI ratio from the cosigner, ensuring they are not over-extended with their current financial obligations.
No Major Negative Credit Events: Recent bankruptcies, foreclosures, or a history of late payments on the cosigner's credit report can be grounds for denial.

Example scenario

Getting approved for the full amount I needed for my commercial license felt impossible on my own. Applying with my dad as a cosigner was the only reason I'm flying today. The process was straightforward and we found a rate we were both comfortable with.

Chris T.·Commercial Pilot, Florida

Key Considerations Before You Cosign

For both the student pilot and the cosigner, entering into a loan agreement is a significant financial decision. Open communication and a clear understanding of the responsibilities are paramount. Before finalizing your application, it's essential to discuss these key points to ensure a smooth journey for everyone involved.

Understand the Legal Obligation: A cosigner is 100% responsible for the debt. If the primary borrower misses a payment for any reason, the cosigner's credit will be affected, and they will be expected to pay.
Discuss Repayment Scenarios: Have an honest conversation about a 'what if' plan. What happens if it takes longer than expected to find a job as a pilot? Having a plan provides peace of mind.
Check for Cosigner Release Options: Some lenders offer a 'cosigner release' provision. This allows the cosigner to be removed from the loan after the primary borrower has made a certain number of on-time payments and meets specific credit criteria on their own.
Monitor Loan Payments Together: Set up shared access or alerts for the loan account. This transparency helps ensure payments are always made on time and keeps both parties informed.

Still Have Questions? We Can Help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can my parents cosign my aviation loan?
Yes, absolutely. Parents are the most common cosigners for student pilots. As long as they meet the lender's credit and income requirements, they can add their financial strength to your application to help you get approved for the full cost of flight training.
What credit score does a cosigner need for a flight school loan?
While the exact minimum varies by lender, a cosigner will generally need a credit score in the 'good' to 'excellent' range—typically 670 or higher on the FICO scale. A score above 720 will give you the best chance at securing the most competitive interest rates.
Is a cosigned personal loan different from a Federal Parent PLUS loan?
Yes, they are fundamentally different. With a cosigned personal loan, the student is the primary borrower and the loan appears on their credit report, helping them build credit. The parent is a guarantor. With a Parent PLUS loan, the parent is the sole borrower, and the debt is entirely in their name. Personal loans also offer more flexibility in how the funds can be used.
Can a cosigner be removed from an aviation loan later?
Some lenders offer a cosigner release option. This typically requires the primary borrower (the pilot) to make a consecutive series of on-time payments (e.g., 24 or 36) and to re-qualify for the loan on their own with their new income and credit score. It's a valuable feature to look for when comparing loan offers.
Does the cosigner have to make payments on the pilot loan?
The student pilot is expected to be the one making the monthly payments. However, the cosigner is equally and legally responsible for the debt. If the student pilot misses a payment, the lender has the right to seek payment from the cosigner immediately. This is why a clear repayment plan between both parties is so important.
Can we borrow enough to cover housing and living expenses during training?
Yes, one of the main advantages of a personal loan for flight training is its flexibility. Unlike some student loans that are sent directly to the school for tuition only, personal loan funds are typically disbursed to your bank account. This allows you to use them for the full cost of your education, including tuition, checkride fees, headsets, training materials, and reasonable living expenses.

Personal loan disclosure

Money Savvy is not a lender. We are a marketing service that connects consumers with participating lenders. Rates, amounts, and terms vary by lender, your credit history, and other factors.

Loan amounts: $1,000 – $100,000
Repayment terms: 3 – 84 months
Min APR: 5.99%
Max APR: 35.99%
Origination fees: 0% – 10% of the loan amount
Late fees: May apply; vary by lender

Representative example: A $10,000 loan with a 36-month term at an 18.99% APR would have an approximate monthly payment of $366.39 and a total cost of $13,190.04, including interest and a $500 origination fee.

Your actual APR depends on your credit score, income, and other factors. Only borrow what you can afford to repay.

California residents: California Financing Law disclosures available upon request.

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A cosigner can be the key to funding your aviation career. See what rates you qualify for in just a few minutes, with no obligation and no impact on your credit score.

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