Expert: D. Norkus - 11/11/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi.  I am a 42 women married, my son and step son are freshmen in college. I currently am in the process for my instrument check ride this week. I have about $ 80,000 + in student loans just for my training.  I read one of your answers to another person about scholarships for women I have about 203 hours.  I could really use any info on grants or scholarships the could help offset my training & loans.thank you

ANSWER: Lorie

It sounds as if becoming a member of your local Ninety-Nines chapter would help you out. Once you have a year of membership, you may apply for an Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship from The Ninety-Nines Inc which will cover an entire certificate or rating. I suggest doing so right away as the AEMS deadline is Dec 1st annually, so you need to start your membership tenure right away so you can apply next year. Also, many chapters of the 99s give their own scholarships (most are limited to their local area). Find nearby chapter(s) at this link- http://www.ninety-nines.org/sections.html

Here is my database of flight scholarships- http://www.FlightScholarship.info
Perhaps you can find a source there. All 99s chapter scholarships I could find are there. Unfortunately, most flight training scholarships are small grants of $750-$2,000 so that wouldn't put a serious dent in your flight training. Such scholarships are meant to help get a pilot to complete a certificate or rating or defray the cost so perhaps that will help you. You can email me via my site as well.

Also, Women In Aviation International gives out lots of scholarships but most are for advanced certificates. You must be a member to apply and the deadline is near, Nov 28th 2008 for the 2009 awards. http://www.wai.org/education/scholarships.cfm
(Some areas have WAI chapters as well.)

You say you have $80,000 loans for your training. Have you spent much of that already or is most still available? Do you feel you have gotten your moneys worth? Most importantly, what are your aviation goals? It seems as if you are on the career track with that kind of funding.

I certainly hope you find some FEMALE PILOT MENTORS with the 99s or Women In Aviation. It sounds as if you can use support, encouragement and the friendship of others in your situation.

Good Luck,
Dottie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dottie , as per your question my $ 80,000 student loans are all used up and they are coming due for payment.I had to do additional $19,000 + to finish up my ratings.  As far as my career goal I would like to fly corporate charters. I did have another question about career development funds that companies offer employees & or family members.  I greatly appreciate all the information and encouragement.  Also, in my first question you mentioned I could email you via your site. I am not sure if your referring to this site allexperts.com or did you mean another email address?

ANSWER: Lorie

I am so very sorry to hear about the loan situation!

I simply cannot imagine what kind of rates you were charged to be left with that kind of debt and only a private pilot certificate (almost an instrument rating) with 200 hours to show for it. Something was not right with your training and aircraft rental situation. Your flight instructor(s) and flight school manager must have no conscience to have put their student into such a dire financial situation.

There was an acquaintance of mine who spent $18,000 to get her Private Pilot with about 100 hours TT and I thought she got taken for a ride as the average is probably half that. She was encouraged to fly brand, new glass cockpit, GPS equipped 172s at $50/hr more than an older more affordable models- even though there is no difference between the two in your logbook. Quite frankly I am alarmed at your situation by comparison.

My site is the scholarships page http://www.FlightScholarship.info

Email 'the webmistress' by clicking that title at page bottom and let me know where you are located so I can see if there is a Pro Pilot mentor in your area for you and your local 99s chapter. Perhaps can also find a way for you to continue to fly for less, i.e. as a safety pilot.

Women In Corporate Aviation give awards via Women In Aviation, so I hope you noticed that scholarship in my database. (Time is short to apply for any awards given via WAI as apps are due Nov 28th!) Here is a direct link though- http://www.wca-intl.org/scholarships.htm

Lynda Meeks is a corporate pilot who runs the site GirlsWithWings.com. You should contact her via her site for info on the corporate career track. You will get some realistic advice from Lynda.

If you are open to an airline career, "ISA+21" (also in my database) offers scholarships- http://www.iswap.org/html/scholarship.html

Re: career development funds
For aviation, the only companies with such assistance I am personally aware of are the Boeing Company and King Schools. Both have a flying club or aircraft available to employees where rental is very affordable.

Dottie


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dottie, I can't tell you how relieved I am that I found this website.  I thank you for all the information & I am in the process of sorting info, joining the clubs you recommended.And preparing essay for scholarships.  As for my situation now I am locating in Northwest Indiana just over the boarder from Chicago.  I noticed the websites you recommended had more information per different States.  Does this mean Indiana does not offer more scholarships.  Also, the fight school where I currently attend has recently offered me part time employment to help me offset my training fees.  They are wonderful people.  As part of my role here Ironically, I am trying to find funding for training for any students through their employer or any other resources to subsidize flight training and especially so that my EXPERIENCE with flight training funds does NOT EVER happen to anyone else.  So any information you may have concerning scholarship, grants or even setting up scholarship programs to offer to students here for flight training is greatly appreciated.  Also, obviously I have switched flight schools and I am so much happier, but my question to you is: Do I have any recourse to take concerning my first flight school costing me $ 80,000 + and the way my funds were misappropriated used ? Again I greatly appreciate all your advice and help.Thank you again, Lorie

Answer
Lorie

I certainly hope there is a way you can recoup some of your loans funds but it may be an uphill battle. Only legal counsel could advise you on that one though. What you were promised and what was delivered for X dollars is certainly in question! If there is an opportunity for a free consultation, you have nothing to loose.

The Greater Chicago 99s are meeting at Clow Airport, in Bolingbrook on Nov 16 at 9:30 am. Perhaps you can meet this 99s chapter? (I believe it is your closest. If you can make it that would be great.) Ask for Sue Nealy at Hangar One, IL Aviation Association.

www.chicagoareachapter99s.org

If you care for their chapter membership chair personal contact info, email me via money 2 fly at gmail dot com and I will send it privately.
I am updating my scholarships list, so if I can find one for your region I'll be sure to send you are notice.

Dottie