We know aviation is expensive. College
debt is the primary barrier to pilots wishing to serve in the mission field.
San Diego Christian College now offers a loan-forgiveness program for
missionary pilots to help cover the cost of flight fees.
SDCC’s Bachelor of Science degree in
Aviation Technology offers pilots the opportunity to specialize in one of three
disciplines: Missionary, Military or Commercial pilot training. Pilots in the
Missionary track may be eligible to receive loans to cover a portion of their
flight fees. Aviation course fees cover the cost of airplane rental and flight
instructor fees that can total $49,000 over four years.
Donors who believe SDCC should be a
conduit for pilots into the mission field have made funds available to help
cover part of the cost of flight training to students meeting certain criteria.
Following graduation, loan forgiveness pilots have up to two years to qualify
for service with an approved missionary ministry. Pilots selected for the
program will have their loan balance reduced by 25% for each year they are
under contract with a missionary ministry. Pilots who drop out of the program
must repay the loan as a promissory note.
Here’s how it works: Missionary pilots
must fill out an application for the loan program and be selected by a
committee that will review the applications and qualifications for each
candidate.
Applicants for the Missionary Pilot Loan
Forgiveness Program (MPLFP) will not receive flight funds their first year. In
addition to a strong spiritual testimony, pilots must prove they are capable of
handling their academic load, cope with the demands of their flight schedule,
and demonstrate a strong calling to the mission field during the first year of
college. During their first two
semesters, pilots will interview with the Shadow Mountain Community Church
Mission Board and the SDCC MPLFP selection board. Selectees will be announced
at the end of the school year for funding in the fall semester.
Pilots meeting the criteria will receive
loans of at least $5000 per school year. If additional funds come into the
program from donors, the amount could increase but we cannot guarantee the
amount. Each program participant will be evaluated and interviewed annually to
ascertain their commitment to missionary aviation. Loans for the flight fees
will be granted accordingly.
Use our Online
Application or Download
and print the Application
Missionary Pilot Loan
Forgiveness Program (MPLFP) – Eligibility Criteria
Our goal is to assist as many students
as possible while maintaining proper stewardship of the funds made available
for the program. MPLFP is a loan, not a scholarship, which must be repaid in
the event the recipient is unable to complete the service requirements
following graduation.
To be eligible for the funds:
I. During your first year at SDCC,
you must:
Complete the ground and flight courses within the semester
time frame
Maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average
Declare as a Missionary Aviation major
Schedule a Vision Trip with Missionary Aviation
Fellowship
(MAF) between freshman and sophomore year (flexibility
granted for transfer students)
Interview in person with the MPLFP selection
committee
Interview with Shadow Mountain Community Church Missions
Board
II. At the end of your second semester,
you must:
Complete FAA Private Pilot (or appropriate) rating
Note: ratings must be completed in the semester they are
registered
III. Between freshman and sophomore
year, you must:
Complete a Vision Trip with Missionary Aviation
Fellowship.
IV. At all times, you must:
Uphold the testimony and standards of behavior expected of an
SDCC student
Complete aviation flight ratings within the semester time
frame
Maintain a Missionary Aviation major
Attend church, maintain personal devotions, and be involved
in student ministry
Apply for at least 2 additional scholarships – (proof of application
required)
Flight fees will be awarded in the
second year after completion of the above stated items to the top candidates.
Transfers or students who have completed pilot ratings will be reviewed on a
case-by-case basis. The ongoing award of flight fees will be approved pending
continued eligibility of the student and availability of funds.
Please understand, the majority of the
funding for this program is from donations and the ongoing availability of the
awards is dependent on continued financial support. There will be communication
prior to the end of each school year as to the availability of funding for the
upcoming year. See the SDCC website to download the application and for further
information.
We are excited and thankful for this program
as we recognize it as a great opportunity to help missionary aviation students
reduce their debt load and consequently enter the mission field sooner.
Application Process
If you feel called to serve the Lord
through missionary aviation, SDCC’s Aviation Program will provide the pilot
training required by missionary organizations. Pilot training and FAA ratings
add approximately $49,000 to the cost of a 4-year degree due to the cost of
aircraft, fuel and instructors. The Missionary Pilot Loan Forgiveness program
was designed to reduce the debt missionary pilots incur earning their college
degree and FAA pilot ratings by paying off or "forgiving" flight fee
loans at 25% per year if you are under contract with an approved missionary
organization. That means you can eliminate the loaned portion of your flight
training debt by serving four years on the mission field.
Candidates must be enrolled in the
Aviation Technology degree program at SDCC and declare their major in
Missionary Aviation. They must also go through the standard financial aid FAFSA
procedures. Please familiarize yourself with pilot qualifications on the New
Tribes Mission Aviation, MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship), JAARS websites to
be familiar with the requirements necessary to become a missionary pilot before
sending in your application.
To apply for the loan program, fill out
online, or download the application pdf from the link above and email it along
with your essay and any supporting information to SDCC. SDCC will review the
applications and interview candidates during their second semester at SDCC. A
list of program requirements is included to insure a standard of excellence in
our program. Students must show they are capable of being excellent pilots and
at the same time demonstrate a strong testimony and commitment to missionary
aviation. Funding awards will be announced at the end of the spring semester
each year.
Recipients will be asked to give their
testimony to the Shadow Mountain Community Church Missions Board sometime during
the spring semester. All applicants must follow the normal procedures for
financial aid including the FAFSA process.
Students who drop out of the program,
leave SDCC, change majors or do not go to the mission field as a pilot must
repay the loan to SDCC. Repayment will be made under conditions of a Promissory
Note signed by each loan recipient just as any college debt is repaid to
lending institutions.
Our goal is to get qualified pilots to
the mission field. Please pray about your calling and ask God's wisdom for your
vocation. Missionary aviation is exciting, demanding and rewarding, but it is
not for everybody. Give prayerful thought to your decisions regarding
missionary aviation. Thank you for considering serving God and your brothers
and sisters in Christ through aviation.