Search

Notices
Flight Schools and Training Ratings, building hours, airmanship, CFI topics

VA Benefits

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-04-2006 | 05:21 AM
  #1  
surreal1221's Avatar
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
Default VA Benefits

As an enlisted member of the AF, I know the VA will pay (via my GI Bill benefits) 60% of any advanced flight training (anything above the basic ASEL PPL).

Does anyone know anymore information about this? The VA's website is a ***** to navigate.

Pretty much, If I decide to go balls to the walls with this I'm going to be taking out a loan to finish up my PPL, and the 40% overhead costs that the VA doesn't pay for. Thing I'm concerned about is, what is the VA's cap on the 60%? As I'm pretty damn sure that if someone's flight training cost 100K, they certainly would not pay for 60k of it. . .lol
Reply
Old 06-04-2006 | 05:54 AM
  #2  
Line Holder
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Default

I'm certainly not a VA expert, but...

You will have to front the cost of your training, and VA will reimburse up to 60%.

The "cap" is the total amount available to you under the GI Bill (i.e., 36 full-time academic months at the current payout rate---which is just over $1k per month right now).

Additionally, all of this is conditional on your going to a Part 141- AND VA-approved school.

And FWIW, here's something I've been toying with... (1) use your GI Bill towards a degree at a relatively inexpensive state school, (2) bank all the funds the Bill pays beyond your actual expenses (iow, don't spend a dime of it on anything but actual school expenses), and (3) use those saved up dollars as far as they'll go at a good Part 61 school.

Good luck.
Reply
Old 06-04-2006 | 06:07 AM
  #3  
surreal1221's Avatar
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
Default

Appreciate it. . .

I figured that's how it might work, student fronts the cost, then gets re-imbursed. . . in classic fashion.

When I take out a loan to finish up my PPL, should I take out a loan to just finish up the PPL, and then take out another loan for everything else that is needed, since the VA requires that one have their PPL before they can take advantage of these benefits?

If I end up moving back to Georgia for flight training, since I graduated HS in the state, I qualify for state HOPE scholarship. So I would use the HOPE scholarship to pay for my BS or BA in something silly, and take advantage of the VA benefits for my flight training, make sense?

Last edited by surreal1221; 06-04-2006 at 06:09 AM.
Reply
Old 06-04-2006 | 06:59 AM
  #4  
LAfrequentflyer's Avatar
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 0
Default

Use the HOPE for your BA/BS and use the GI bill for your masters. Don't use the GI Bill for flight training - its not worth it. Get your education with the GI BILL and have that to fall back on if the flight training/career doesn't work out.

-LAFF
Reply
Old 06-04-2006 | 08:48 AM
  #5  
surreal1221's Avatar
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
Default

Good thought. . .will think about it, but I was planning on getting Masters with or without the GI Bill, even if it took me a a decade to do it.
Reply
Old 06-04-2006 | 01:17 PM
  #6  
LAfrequentflyer's Avatar
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 0
Default

I agree - get a masters , even if it takes a decade. Using the GI Bill for flight training is asking for trouble...Like putting all your eggs in one basket.

-LAFF
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RockBottom
American
10
04-13-2021 07:24 AM
Pilot_135
Fractional
4
06-04-2006 04:17 AM
pilotskies
Regional
3
06-03-2006 04:29 PM
poppa2trolls
Flight Schools and Training
6
05-16-2006 07:27 PM
bhndthecns
Flight Schools and Training
3
06-09-2005 11:12 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Your Privacy Choices