Hello Pumping Iron,
it's not unusual for FTOs and TRTOs to take a deposit to process the enrollment and to assign a place on a course. $500 is common.
However, as countless threads on PPRuNe advise, *never* pay large amounts upfront, and especially not the whole course. People have lost thousands and tens of thousands of dollars by not being careful and trusting the school a little too much.
Be especially cautious if you're offered a large discount, or if the company gets 'pushy' in order to persuade you to pay everything now - that occasionally happens as well. Just don't do it, and make sure your bank doesn't do it - it's your money after all.
If the world's largest airlines can suddenly go bankrupt, so can any school - and you wouldn't know until it's too late.
Paying by Credit Card can offer some protection as well.
I haven't heard about the school you mention, but you could have a look or post a question here:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...?t=7849&page=7
Regards,
KK