| Not all trade schools are the same. Not all flight training | | | | Shireman, a U.S. Government secretary of education. |
| schools are the same, either. You may face serious | | | | "There is a lot of Pell grant money out there, and we |
| challenges and mountains of debt when you graduate | | | | need to make sure it's being used effectively." |
| - if the school is even around when you are supposed | | | | Go to a Flight Training School You Trust |
| to graduate. | | | | Do your homework before you sign any contract. |
| According to a recent New York Times article, | | | | Make sure the flight training school is qualified, |
| unscrupulous for-profit schools are making enormous | | | | accredited and reliable. Check the reputation of the |
| profits during these recessionary times. Many trade | | | | flight school you are considering. You can do this |
| and training schools have overpromised and | | | | through the local FAA Flight Standards District Office, |
| underdelivered for years, but the bad economy has | | | | the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Air |
| made it worse and has added many risks to students. | | | | Transportation Association, the Better Business Bureau |
| These schools have exploited the recession as a way | | | | or Chamber of Commerce. They can give you vital |
| to make money by tapping into large pools of federal | | | | information about a school's business practices. Make |
| student aid. | | | | sure the flight training school has been operating for at |
| Two years ago, students at for-profit trade schools | | | | least fifteen years. |
| received $3.2 billion in Pell grants, according to the | | | | Look for a school with a good record of getting |
| Department of Education. By the 2011-12 school year, | | | | graduates work. Many flight academies have job |
| students at for-profit schools will receive more than | | | | connections with commuter and regional airlines. Other |
| $10 billion in Pell grants, more than their public | | | | schools claim they can get you interviews with major |
| counterparts. Enrollment at for-profit trade schools has | | | | airlines. In any case, it is important for a flight school to |
| increased about 20 percent a year the last two years, | | | | help you get your first job. |
| more than double the pace from 2001 to 2007. | | | | If you are not extremely careful when you select a |
| "During a recession, with increased demand for | | | | flight training school, you might be waiting in line for a |
| education and more anxiety about the ability to get a | | | | long time - not the airport security line, the |
| job, there is a heightened level of hazard," said Robert | | | | unemployment line. |