On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 19:09:42 -0600, "Carl Orton"
wrote:

My son has been accepted at Embry Riddle (and other aviation-related
universities). We've done the campus tour, and were impressed.

For their piloting program, with tuition, room & board, and estimated flight
costs, we're looking at $42K / year.

Regardless of how much the Bank of Dad, scholarships, work, etc., kick in,
we're looking at financing a chunk o' change if he does end up going there.

Embry seems to take a very light approach to it, relating stories on how
frequently their graduates have outstanding student loans of over $120,000.

Irrespective of the end goal, that is a staggering amount of debt for
your son to pay. Even with the low interest rates and tax deductions
available with most student loans, that is enough debt to strangle
your son's start in the real world (post graduation).

If he plans on being a pilot, the affects of the debt will be
amplified by the minimal pay that he can expect as he works his way up
through the flight instructor ranks and commuter ranks.

If those are really the numbers, it is my opinion that your son would
be better off going to the State college, paying a reasonable tuition,
getting a marketable degree, and conducting his flight lessons
independently of his degree work while he is there. Any way you cut
it, flying is not cheap, but this route would be much cheaper than the
figure you provided.

-Nathan