Education Benefits to assist for flight training

Flight training

Find out how your VA education benefits can help pay for flight training to advance your pilot qualifications.

You can get benefits for flight training if you meet all of the requirements listed below.

All of these must be true. You:

Qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, or Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), and
Have a private pilot’s license, and
Have a second-class medical certificate valid for second-class privileges—or a first-class medical certificate if you want to pursue the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate

Note: You can’t qualify for flight training benefits through Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA).

This depends on the VA benefit program you use and other factors.

Your payment depends on 3 factors:

Your level of eligibility (you’re eligible for a certain percent of benefits up to 100% based on how long you served on active duty after September 10, 2001), and
How much entitlement you have left for school or training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and
The program and type of school you’re enrolled in

If you’re enrolled in:

A degree program that consists of flight training at a public college or university, VA pay for up to the full in-state cost of tuition and fees (depending on your level of eligibility and remaining entitlement). You may also receive a monthly housing allowance and money to help buy books and supplies.
A degree program that consists of flight training at a private college or university, VA pay for the net cost of tuition and fees up to a yearly limit (depending on your level of eligibility and remaining entitlement). You may also receive a housing allowance and money to help buy books and supplies. You can also apply for additional funds to cover tuition and fees above the yearly limit through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Learn more about the Yellow Ribbon Program
A vocational program at a stand-alone Part 141 pilot school, VA pay for the net cost of training up to a yearly limit (depending on your level of eligibility and remaining entitlement). You won’t be eligible for a housing allowance or money to help buy books and supplies.

You can get qualifications, including:

You’ll need to apply for benefits.
Apply for education benefits