In December, 2010 President Barack Obama signed the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010. This act, also known as GI Bill 2.0, takes effect Oct. 1, 2011, pending funding. Benefits can be applied for now. The act extends benefits to veterans wishing to take flight training in nondegree programs available at private flight schools not affiliated with a college or university.
The intent of the flight training provisions of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 is to promote vocational training relating to careers in commercial aviation. Benefits are restricted to training for advanced flight certifications beyond the private pilot level. Benefits are not available for training for a private pilot's license.
Flight training benefits under the 2010 Act will include direct payments to approved nondegree flight schools in the amount of $10,000 per year or the actual cost of tuition and fees charged by the flight school, whichever is less.
Veterans who elect to take flight training as part of a degree program at a Veterans Administration approved college or university under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 can receive 100% payment of in-state tuition and fees at state college and universities or an amount capped at $17,500 per year at private institutions.
Veterans should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs for a list of approved flight schools before enrolling in flight training. A valid private pilot's license is a prerequisite for most of the approved flight training programs.