With the modern access to online information it is a shame people still fall of this.
Then again what I’ve experienced multiple times is that students are too afraid to complain in person or online as they are hoping they may still get some of their money back.
Its like almost abuse: keep quiet as nobody will believe you because of our good reviews.
One of the Florida usuals was banned from Pprune for countering critical posts from multiple straw man accounts.
The whole family did this by the way.
Again, Pprune has become toothless after the sale.

* Airline tickets for two $3,000
* Accomodations and local travelling $1,500

So you’re willing to pay $98,000 up front and you did not bother to spend a measly 5%(!) to visit the schools on your shortlist with a parent or mentor?
You did make a shortlist didn’t you?!

B2N2 is absolutely spot on.
Echoing what others have said...
- don't pay upfront, just do pay-as-you-go
- go visit multiple schools before deciding
- don't be afraid of switching schools if necessary (US visa issues are easily handled)

I'm sorry to say , but - do you REALLY want a career in such an unstable profession? I have been very lucky to have retired with a bucket full of flying hours and qualifications behind me, but it is not the same these days.
Yes, aviation has always been cyclical, but never such as today.
I would personally advise any potential pilot to think very carefully on the upfront costs and likely benefits from the airline industry.
There are other things to do in life!

spitfirejock, the legal opinion no 12-35 ("Authority of Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to Regulate Flight Training Schools") issued 12 Mar 2012 by the Attorney General of Tennessee might interest you. It can be found in this list of opinions given in 2012 (link) or directly from here (pdf link).

once again, selfin, I am in awe

8000 views on this thread is a respectable number, hopefully lots of potential students amongst them, but nothing compared to the nearly 20,000 for the 'L3 Harris Shafting' thread, is the message finally getting through? - let's keep hoping!