Even though “normal” for the people familiar with the industry the cost of a flying course or even a single flight is eye watering for the general public.
The perceived benefit of a “discount” is appealing.
It’s also a backhanded way of preventing you from leaving and finishing at a different school.
Read the small print for reimbursement of monies paid and what penalties are and circumstances under which you forfeit the money.
As an example of what I previously posted: the school I used to work for would pay for fuel in bulk, 10,000 gallons at a time.
That’s about two private pilot courses prepaid.
Now the school didn’t do prepayments but you see how easy your money could be gone and reimbursement is delayed for whatever reason they may give you.
Bottom line, they don’t have the money anymore.
By the way 10,000 gallons at 8.5g/hr for 14 airplanes is only 85hrs/ each so about 3-4 weeks of operations.
A less scrupulous operator would need 2 students to prepay every single month just to pay their fuel bill.
Rent, insurance, maintenance and you see how quickly this becomes a pyramid scheme.