Coe College will launch a direct entry program for Fall 2025 applicants pursuing its aviation management and flight operations program, offering guaranteed admission to those who meet specific criteria by Dec. 1, 2024.
The program introduces a significant new benefit for aspiring aviators. Qualified students will receive an Early Aviators Award of $500 per year for four years, in addition to scholarships of up to $40,000 per year awarded upon admission, according to a release.
Direct entry enrollees will gain priority in flight school enrollment and specialized academic advising to navigate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. This priority allows students to begin flight training as early as their first term, provided they secure a valid FAA medical certificate.
In partnership with Revv Aviation, Coe will operate the flight school at the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), bringing hands-on flight training directly to its campus community.
“There is undeniable opportunity within our aviation management and flight operations program right now. The Eastern Iowa Airport is a dynamic backdrop for future aviators, and we are pleased to offer this opportunity,” said senior vice president for enrollment, marketing and institutional effectiveness, Julie Staker.
To qualify for Coe College’s direct entry program, prospective students must complete and submit the college’s financial aid estimate form, attend an official campus visit by Dec. 1, and pay their enrollment fee by the same deadline.
In a first for the college, Coe will host an Aviation Visit Day on Nov. 9 at its aeronautical field station at the Eastern Iowa Airport. This event will fulfill the campus visit requirement, offering prospective students a firsthand look at the facilities and opportunities available through the aviation management and flight operations program.
“You can sense the excitement and interest in this program, especially here at the airport. This direct entry option is particularly intriguing because it will only help grow the number of aviation professionals — all who are needed in this industry as we face a pilot shortage,” said airport director Marty Lenss.
Representatives from both the airport and Revv will be on hand during the visit day event, and prospective students will have the opportunity to take part in a discovery flight.
“We are excited to partner with Coe College on their aviation program,” said Revv chief flight instructor Jerome Howard. “If you want to pursue a career in aviation, getting in the air through the direct entry program at Coe is the way to go.”
The aviation industry faces a pressing shortage, with an estimated 17,000 pilot deficit driven largely by age-mandated retirements, the release stated. As demand grows, commercial pilots are seeing starting salaries approach $90,000.
Coe College’s program aims to address this gap by preparing students for FAA pilot certification while also providing a Bachelor of Arts in business administration with a concentration in aviation management and flight operations – credentials preferred by major airlines, offering pathways to higher earning and career advancement.
Coe’s aviation program has been developed in partnership with airport leaders, including Mr. Lenss, and was further supported by a substantial investment from the TrueNorth Legacy Foundation to launch the initiative.
