Affordable Flight Training
Financing options designed for aviation students in Iowa
At Vertical Vision Flight Academy, we believe cost shouldn't prevent you from achieving your aviation dreams. As a leading flight school in Des Moines, Iowa, we partner with trusted financial institutions and offer multiple paths to fund your pilot training. Whether you're pursuing a career in aviation or personal enrichment, we have financing solutions for you—including partnerships with Stratus Financial, Edly, 529 college savings plans, scholarships, and personal loans from local banks.
Edly Income-Based Loans
A smarter way to pay for flight school—keep payments as low as $20/month per rating while you train, then repay based on what you actually earn.
- Borrow up to $130,000, including housing costs
- $20/month per rating while you're in training
- No cosigner required
- Soft pull to prequalify—no credit score impact
Stratus Financial Student Loans
Specialized aviation loans designed specifically for flight training students.
- Fast approval process
- Competitive interest rates
- Flexible payment terms
- School-specific financing
529 College Savings Plans
We're one of the few flight schools in Iowa approved for 529 college savings plan distributions—the only school in Des Moines offering this advantage.
- Tax-advantaged savings
- Flexibility for qualified expenses
- Already established accounts welcome
- Ideal for career-track students
Local Bank Personal Loans
Your local bank may offer personal loans for education and career training, including flight instruction.
- Competitive rates from familiar lenders
- Worth comparing against Stratus Financial
Aviation Scholarships
We encourage all students to apply for available scholarships. Multiple funding opportunities exist for flight training.
- Browse our scholarship page
- National and Iowa-specific programs
Edly: Income-Based Repayment for Pilots
Vertical Vision Flight Academy partners with Edly, an income-based loan program built specifically for career-track pilots. Instead of a fixed monthly bill, your payment tracks what you actually earn—as low as $20/month per rating while you train, adjusting as your income grows through CFI hours and beyond.
A Loan That Tracks Your Income: After training, payments are a set share of what you earn—not a fixed bill
Borrow up to $130K: Covers your training program plus housing and other educational expenses, subject to credit approval
$20/Month Per Rating While You Train: Keep payments low while you're building hours
Cosigner Not Required: Adding one may improve approval odds and lower your rate
Soft Pull to Prequalify: No impact to your credit score
No Prepayment Penalty: Pay off your loan early, anytime
Eligibility Requirements
- 18 or older
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Current FAA first- or second-class medical certificate
- Enrolled full time in a career-track pilot program
Edly is not a requirement and may not be the right fit for every student—it's one more option alongside Stratus Financial, 529 plans, and local bank loans.
Apply for Edly Loan NowStratus Financial: Aviation Lending Experts
Vertical Vision Flight Academy also partners with Stratus Financial, a trusted leader in aviation education lending. If you're committed to your aviation career and need capital to complete your training, Stratus offers:
Quick Approval: Fast turnaround times so you can start training sooner
Competitive Rates: Industry-leading rates for flight training loans
Flexible Terms: Payment plans tailored to your timeline
Specialized Service: Loan officers who understand aviation
Ready to apply? Use our direct application link to apply with Stratus Financial and get started on your path to becoming a pilot.
Apply for Stratus Loan Now529 Plans: A Unique Des Moines Advantage
Vertical Vision Flight Academy is one of few flight schools in Iowa—and the sole flight school in Des Moines—approved to accept 529 college savings plan distributions. This is a significant advantage for students whose parents or guardians have already invested in education savings.
If you have an existing 529 plan, you may be able to use those funds for your flight training at Vertical Vision. This is an underutilized resource that can dramatically reduce your out-of-pocket training costs. Talk to your parents or guardians about your 529 plan options, and contact us to discuss how we can help you access these funds.
Have a 529 plan? Contact our team at (515) 337-2159 or visit our contact page to learn more about using your savings for flight training.
Aviation Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships are available for aviation students at all levels—from private pilot training through advanced ratings. The key to success is applying to as many scholarships as you qualify for. We highly encourage all prospective students to pursue every scholarship opportunity.
Check out our dedicated scholarship page for a curated list of aviation-specific funding opportunities. Additionally, we recommend exploring Aviation Start, a comprehensive resource for finding and applying to scholarships tailored to aviation students.
Browse scholarships we've researched and compiled for our students.
A premier platform for discovering and applying to aviation scholarships across the industry. Aviation Start consolidates hundreds of funding opportunities in one searchable database—a must-use resource for any serious aviation student.
Pro Tip: Apply to scholarships early and often. Even smaller scholarships add up. Spend a few hours on Aviation Start and our scholarship page—it could save you thousands in training costs.
Financing FAQs
Which financing option should I choose?
It depends on your situation. If you or your family have an existing 529 plan, that's often the most cost-effective option since the funds are already tax-advantaged. If you need to finance the full cost of training, Stratus Financial offers a traditional fixed-term aviation loan, while Edly offers income-based repayment that adjusts to your earnings during training and early career. We also encourage every student to apply for scholarships regardless of which financing path they choose, since scholarship funds don't need to be repaid.
What's the difference between Stratus Financial and Edly?
Stratus Financial is a traditional aviation student loan with fixed terms and competitive rates. Edly is an income-based loan: payments are as low as $20/month per rating while you train, then adjust to a share of your income after you finish—no cosigner required, and prequalifying uses only a soft credit pull. Both are available for eligible students, subject to credit approval.
Am I eligible for Edly financing?
Edly finances career-track pilots who are 18 or older, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, hold a current FAA first- or second-class medical certificate, and are enrolled full time in a career-track pilot program. Loans are not currently available to residents of CO, CT, IL, ME, NE, PR, VT, or WV.
How do I apply for a Stratus Financial loan?
Use the Stratus Financial application link on this page. Their team will review your creditworthiness and financial profile to determine your rate and terms, and loans typically close in 14 days or less.
How do I apply for an Edly loan?
Use the Edly application link on this page. Prequalifying uses a soft credit pull that won't affect your credit score, and eligible students can borrow up to $130,000, including housing and other educational expenses.
Can I combine multiple financing options?
Yes. Many students combine a 529 plan or scholarship funding with a Stratus Financial or Edly loan, or a personal loan from a local bank, to cover the full cost of training.
What if I don't have a 529 plan?
A 529 plan isn't required to train with us. Students without one typically rely on a Stratus Financial or Edly loan, aviation scholarships, or a personal loan from a local bank.