To any of you considering paying up front for a flying education.
(Even if you're paying in 5 monthly installments - if you're not done in five months, you paid up front)
You should never have to pay more than a week or two up front at any time.
If you are required to pay more than a week or two in advance, then you should seriously consider NOT attending that school.
There have been numerous cases of flight schools going "bankrupt" with hundreds, even thousands of pilots being victimized as a result.
A flight school that is financially sound will not require significant advance payments, but will also not be expected to carry the students.
A "flight school" that is not financially sound, or is in fact a ponzi scheme (using the new persons payments to cover the expenses of the previous person), will require significant amounts upfront.
Even if the school presents the argument that they need to know that you're "good for it", your response should be, well, if I can't make a payment, you stop teaching me, meanwhile you'll get money from me in advance each week.