Can I sue a private pilot school for misrepresenting post-graduate employment prospects?
Hi there, my husband was a student at a private pilot school that we believe dealt with us in bad faith, and their student advisors are lying to get people to take out giant loans to attend their school without being upfront, even when asked, about the prospects to get a job to pay it back. We're not the only ones in this desperate situation. The loan amount is 100k. As the co-signer for the loan, and the student's wife, am I able to sue for tuitions paid, or does my husband have to be involved?
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Under consumer protection and contract law principles, especially in the context of educational fraud or misrepresentation, your husband, as the primary student, would generally be the main party to bring a direct legal action against the school. However, as a co-signer on the loan, you may also have standing to sue under certain state consumer protection statutes—particularly if the misrepresentations were made in such a way that they induced you to enter into the financial obligation alongside your husband.
If the school’s advisors made false, deceptive, or misleading statements regarding job placement rates, licensure prospects, or loan repayment feasibility, and those statements can be shown to have induced enrollment and borrowing, this could constitute fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, or Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP) in violation of your state's consumer fraud law.
The fact that others in the same cohort were given similar representations strengthens the possibility of bringing a claim—possibly even a class action—against the school, particularly if the conduct appears systematic and affects a broader group of students.
The complaint you've filed with the state attorney general is a crucial step, as many AG offices have enforcement authority over post-secondary institutions engaging in deceptive recruitment or loan practices. If the school fails to respond to the AG’s inquiry, it may face administrative action, and a favorable AG finding can support a civil claim. You should preserve any written materials, emails, promotional documents, or witness statements from fellow students, which can all serve as evidence in asserting that the school operated in bad faith.
If your state's UDAP laws allow third-party victims (such as co-signers) to recover damages, you may be able to seek restitution or cancellation of the loan obligations to the extent they were obtained through deception.
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Hi there, my husband was a student at a private pilot school that we believe dealt with us in bad faith, and their student advisors are lying to get people to take out giant loans to attend their school without being upfront, even when asked, about the prospects to get a job to pay it back. We're not the only ones in this desperate situation. The loan amount is 100k. As the co-signer for the loan, and the student's wife, am I able to sue for tuitions paid, or does my husband have to be involved?
Lexi, Chatbot
I'm sorry to hear about the situation with the pilot school. Have you or your husband tried to address these concerns with the school directly?
Yes. They deny any wrongdoing. I have also sent a letter to our state Attorney General who is looking into it. We received their correspondence with the school asking for their side, basically, within 15 days. It's been 16 days, and the school never responded.
Lexi, Chatbot
Have you gathered any documentation or evidence regarding the misleading information provided by the student advisors?
We didn't record the meeting, and it took place in August of 2022, but we have three or more students who are in the 2023 cohort my husband was in who were told the same thing and went through the same experience of deception that we did.
Lexi, Chatbot
Is there anything else the Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with deceptive practices at the pilot school.
Ok, well, sure. My husband and I have lived 730 miles apart for the past 17 months, and our baby will be 1 in 3 weeks. This is so that we can both work the highest paying jobs we can find, while living with family to minimize bills, just trying to afford basic expenses and the giant loan payment which we're in a debt relief program trying to dig ourselves out of. Barely getting by. Thanks.
Legal Eagle
Good afternoon and welcome to AskaLawyer. Please give me a moment to review your question. Note that I am a hearing-impaired expert, and so phone calls are difficult for me. Thank you for understanding. Just so you are aware, AskaLawyer is a legal information-only site. I do not provide representation, and no attorney-client relationship is formed. My answers and comments should not be considered legal advice. It is always best to hire a local attorney to review the specifics of your particular case to ensure that a proper review is conducted.
Legal Eagle
Under consumer protection and contract law principles, especially in the context of educational fraud or misrepresentation, your husband, as the primary student, would generally be the main party to bring a direct legal action against the school. However, as a co-signer on the loan, you may also have standing to sue under certain state consumer protection statutes—particularly if the misrepresentations were made in such a way that they induced you to enter into the financial obligation alongside your husband.
If the school’s advisors made false, deceptive, or misleading statements regarding job placement rates, licensure prospects, or loan repayment feasibility, and those statements can be shown to have induced enrollment and borrowing, this could constitute fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, or Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP) in violation of your state's consumer fraud law.
The fact that others in the same cohort were given similar representations strengthens the possibility of bringing a claim—possibly even a class action—against the school, particularly if the conduct appears systematic and affects a broader group of students.
The complaint you've filed with the state attorney general is a crucial step, as many AG offices have enforcement authority over post-secondary institutions engaging in deceptive recruitment or loan practices. If the school fails to respond to the AG’s inquiry, it may face administrative action, and a favorable AG finding can support a civil claim. You should preserve any written materials, emails, promotional documents, or witness statements from fellow students, which can all serve as evidence in asserting that the school operated in bad faith.
If your state's UDAP laws allow third-party victims (such as co-signers) to recover damages, you may be able to seek restitution or cancellation of the loan obligations to the extent they were obtained through deception.
Yes. Thank you.
It seems the only proof we have that the recruiter said what he did about options for loan repayment and job placement at their school was on video calls that we did not record... so only by statements by other students can we really bring evidence of that. Would that likely be enough?
Legal Eagle
Yes I think so.
And you’re very welcome.
Legal Eagle
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