I was fortunate enough to have the Air Force pay for all of my flight training, but the GI Bill is an excellent resource (available to all veterans) for pursuing a career as a commercial pilot.
In fact, a navigator friend of mine who left the service used the GI Bill to pay for his entire pilot training.
If becoming a commercial pilot is your ultimate goal, you must be wondering if you can use your GI Bill benefits to pay for flight school.
Yes, you can use the GI Bill to pay for flights, tuition, books, fees, and supplies while enrolled in a Part 141 approved flight training program to earn your commercial pilot license (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. You have three options available to you:
3. Attend a non-college vocational program and receive up to $13,986 whichever is less: $72 per year or the entire cost of training
However, a flight school is actually categorized as a GI Bill certification or license. Veterans occasionally mistake flight schools for GI Bill non-college degree programs.
Below, we’ll go over everything you should know about using your GI Bill benefits for flight training:
To make a payment, you may use this official links below:
Flight Training
https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/flight-training/
Can I use the GI Bill to pay for flight training? You may be eligible for flight training benefits if you meet all of these requirements. All
Getting off the ground with the GI Bill’s aviation benefits
https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/2022/03/23/getting-off-the-ground-with-the-gi-bills-aviation-benefits/
The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay for vocational flight training program, but only after you’re earned a private pilot’s license.
Can I use the GI Bill to pay for flight training?
If you fulfill all of these requirements, you might be qualified for benefits related to flight training.
All of these must be true:
- You are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill or the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and
- You have a private pilot’s license, and
- You possess a first-class medical certificate if you wish to pursue the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, or a second-class medical certificate that is valid for second-class privileges.
Note: You cannot be eligible for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits for flight training.
Your use of the VA benefit program and other variables will determine this.
If you use the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Some of the approved fees your flight school charges will be reimbursed by us.
If you use the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Some of the approved fees your flight school charges will be reimbursed by us.
Your payment depends on 3 factors:
- Depending on how long you were on active duty following September 10, 2001, and your level of eligibility
- How much of your Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement you still have left for education or training, and
- The course you’re taking and the type of school you’re attending (whether you’re enrolled in a degree program at a private or public college or university or a vocational program)
What kinds of qualifications can I get through flight training?
You can get the following qualifications:
FAQ
Does the GI Bill pay for all of flight school?
Yes, you can use the GI Bill to pay for flights, tuition, books, fees, and supplies while enrolled in a Part 141 approved flight training program to earn your commercial pilot license (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.
Can I use my GI Bill for a pilot’s license?
Also take note that a private pilot’s license is not covered by the GI Bill; you must pay for it yourself. This can be a tricky requirement because you can’t access some of the VA’s flight training paths unless you have a private pilot’s license.
Does GI Bill cover private pilot license?
Enroll in a vocational school program like ours at Flex Air to avoid out-of-pocket expenses. One year of training followed by one year of experience-building as a paid flight instructor is the quickest path to working for an airline. Private Pilot License (PPL) training is the first step and is not covered by the GI Bill.
Can you use your GI Bill for ATP Flight School?
Veterans may enroll in ATP’s Type Rating and ATP Certification Training in Texas through the GI Bill®.
Can you use your GI Bill to become a helicopter pilot?
Yes, flight training in a Part 141-accredited airline pilot school is covered by the GI Bill education benefits, with the same rates of reimbursement as those for helicopter school. If you use the GI Bill properly, it can really help you get your eyes on the sky.