$125K+
MAX LOAN AMOUNT
Days
APPROVAL SPEED
$10M+
CAREER EARNINGS
$120K+
FIRST-YEAR SALARY
TRADITIONAL LENDERS DON’T GET IT. STRATUS DOES.
Banks and traditional lenders see a student with limited income and no collateral. They see risk. Stratus Financial sees a future airline captain earning $300,000–$500,000+ per year.
Because Stratus was built exclusively for aviation, they evaluate your application through the lens of pilot career trajectories and airline hiring demand. They know this career pays for itself — and they structure their loans accordingly.
LOAN AMOUNTS
Cover Your Training
Loan amounts to cover your full training with a qualified co-signer
APPROVAL SPEED
Days, Not Weeks
Fast approval process — often within days
AVIATION-SPECIFIC
Built for Pilots
They evaluate your pilot career earning potential, not just your current income
REPAYMENT
Flexible Options
Deferred and interest-only payment options available while you train
YOUR CO-SIGNER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR APPLICATION
Here is what most aspiring pilots do not realize: Stratus Financial almost always requires a co-signer. This is not a setback. This is how you get approved, lock in the best rates, and fund your entire training program.
DRAMATICALLY HIGHER APPROVAL RATES
A co-signer with established credit is the single biggest factor in getting approved. It transforms a borderline application into an easy yes.
LOWEST AVAILABLE INTEREST RATES
Strong co-signer credit unlocks the best rates Stratus offers — potentially saving you tens of thousands over the life of the loan.
MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNTS
With a qualified co-signer, Stratus can fund your entire training program. No gaps, no shortfalls, no scrambling for supplemental funding.
FLEXIBLE REPAYMENT OPTIONS
Co-signed loans often qualify for deferred or interest-only payments while you train, so you can focus 100% on flying without financial stress.
CO-SIGNER RELEASE AVAILABLE
Your co-signer commitment is temporary. After meeting on-time payment and credit requirements, many borrowers qualify for co-signer release — freeing your co-signer from the obligation entirely.
AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUTURE
Your co-signer is not taking a risk — they are investing in a career that pays $5M–$10M+ over a lifetime. Their signature today leads to your six-figure salary tomorrow.
THE CONVERSATION THAT CHANGES YOUR LIFE
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CO-SIGNER
Sit down with the person who has always believed in you— a parent, spouse, family member, or trusted friend. Show them the numbers:
When they see that their signature today leads to your $10 million career tomorrow, it is not a hard conversation. It is an exciting one. You are not asking for a favor— you are inviting them to invest in your future.
WHO CAN BE A CO-SIGNER?
Parent or Guardian
The most common choice. Parents who have invested in your education your whole life can take one more step to launch your career.
Spouse or Partner
A spouse with established credit makes an excellent co-signer. This is a joint investment in your family's financial future.
Family Member
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings — anyone with good credit who believes in your potential and wants to see you succeed.
Trusted Friend or Mentor
A close friend or professional mentor with strong credit can serve as your co-signer. Their faith in you can change your trajectory forever.
Pro tip: Apply with your co-signer from the start. Having their information on the initial application gives you the strongest possible chance of approval with the best rates.
FROM APPLICATION TO COCKPIT
The Stratus Financial process is simple, fast, and designed to get you flying as quickly as possible. No bureaucratic hoops. No months-long waiting game. Just a clear path from application to altitude.
APPLY ONLINE
Complete the Stratus Financial application in minutes. You will need basic personal information, income details, and your co-signer information for the strongest application.
GET APPROVED
Stratus reviews your application with aviation-specific criteria. Because they understand pilot career trajectories, they evaluate your earning potential — not just your current income. Most decisions come back within days.
FUND YOUR TRAINING
Once approved, funds are disbursed directly for your training. You can begin flight training immediately — no waiting, no delays, no uncertainty.
START FLYING
You are in the cockpit. Your training begins, your career launches, and every flight hour brings you closer to the airlines. The investment starts paying for itself from day one.
YOUR TRAINING PAYS FOR ITSELF IN YEAR ONE
Flight training is one of the highest-return investments you will ever make. While the upfront cost feels significant, the math is overwhelmingly in your favor.
Regional first officers start at $80,000–$120,000 in year one. By year five, you are earning $200,000–$300,000. At a major airline, captains routinely earn $300,000–$500,000+ per year. Your total career earnings? $5 million to $10 million or more.
VIEW FULL COST & TUITION BREAKDOWN*Age is a contributing factor to lifetime career earnings. FAA mandatory retirement age is 65.
The bottom line: your training investment pays for itself within the first 1–2 years at the airlines. Every year after that is pure return. The question is not whether you can afford to train— it is whether you can afford not to.
STRATUS FINANCIAL FAQ
Do I need a co-signer to apply with Stratus Financial?
Almost always, yes. Stratus Financial strongly prefers — and in most cases requires — a co-signer. A co-signer with good credit dramatically improves your approval odds, gets you the best interest rates, and allows you to borrow enough to cover your full training. Think of your co-signer as the key that unlocks this entire opportunity.
What credit score does my co-signer need?
While exact requirements vary, a co-signer with a credit score of 700+ will give you the strongest possible application. Higher credit scores typically unlock lower interest rates and higher loan amounts. Contact our admissions team and we can help you understand your options.
How quickly will I get a decision?
Stratus Financial is known for fast turnaround. Most applicants receive a decision within a few days of submitting a complete application. Having your co-signer information on the initial application speeds up the process.
How much can I borrow?
With a qualified co-signer, Stratus can fund enough to cover your full training program. The exact amount will depend on your co-signer's creditworthiness and the program you are enrolled in.
Can I defer payments while I am training?
Yes. Stratus offers deferred and interest-only payment options while you are actively training. This means you can focus entirely on flying without the pressure of full monthly payments until you are earning income as a pilot.
What if I do not have a co-signer?
We strongly encourage every prospective student to explore their network — parents, spouses, grandparents, siblings, or close family friends. In most cases, someone in your life has the credit to help. If you are struggling to find a co-signer, contact our admissions team at (480) 685-5440 and we will help you explore all available options.
Is Stratus Financial the only lender I can use?
No. We also offer a Custom Payment Plan that does not require a third-party lender. Additionally, ELMSelect financing is available through Dodge City Community College for students enrolled in their program. Contact our admissions team to learn about all financing options available to you.
LEARN ABOUT THE COLLEGE DEGREE PATHWAY
STOP DREAMING.
START FLYING.
Every day you spend thinking about flight training instead of doing it is a day of airline-level income you will never get back. Find your co-signer. Complete the application. It takes minutes.
Not sure where to start? Call our admissions team. We have helped hundreds of students navigate the financing process, find co-signers, and get approved. We will walk you through every step.