Tuition Assistance covering Flight Hours?

[stratose]

From what I understand some or all of your GI Bill money be used towards getting a commercial, CFI, etc (after you have your PPL). However, are there any college degree programs out there that include flight time so that tuition assistance can be used to cover the flight costs & fees? I've found accredited universities that offer a "professional pilot" degree program --- would the Army's tuition assistance cover?

[SunsoutGunsout]

I cant comment on the Army's tuition assistance portion of your question but I used my G.I. Bill with both Quantum Helicopters out of Chandler, AZ and Universal Helicopters. I would stay away from UHI. That being said the VA is "cracking down" on helicopter flight programs because the companies that are contracted for it have been severely over-charging students since they "don't have to pay for it."

[eagle5]

Funny, when I was at UHI I heard the same advice about Quantum!

[A-aron]

eagle did you go to UHI?

[Azhigher]

Funny, I went to Quantum and never heard anyone speak poorly about other schools. And Quantum isn't being investigated for abusing the VA system... (As far as I know )

[eagle5]

Yep, but hey flight schools are like gas stations, the one to go to now is the one you used to avoid, and the one to avoid now is the one you used to go to!

[SunsoutGunsout]

I went to both Dodge City and Scottsdale locations for UHI and when I did my Turbine Transition and NVG training we had groups from all over because the only location was at Prescott. One of the guys I flew with at Dodge did not know how to enter a GPS Approach and he was a CFI waiting for the next semester to start.

 

I like the fact at Quantum for $20 you could buy their notes which covers everything from Private to CFI. And they worked with my schedule better than UHI.

[stratose]

So what does UHI stand for? And what is Quantum?

[SunsoutGunsout]

UHI is Universal Helicopters, Quantum is another flight school. Both are through colleges to use the GI Bill.

[stratose]

So I read that you can use the GI Bill to cover 60% of flight costs afters PPL. Does this include both the GI Bill and the GI Bill "kicker" if your MOS offers it?

[apacheguy]

So I read that you can use the GI Bill to cover 60% of flight costs afters PPL. Does this include both the GI Bill and the GI Bill "kicker" if your MOS offers it?

 

Depending on which form of the GI Bill you use, it can pay up to 100% of flight costs. Most of us would use the Post 9-11 GI Bill, chapter 33, which covers 100% of costs if associated with a degree granting program. If not in pursuit of a degree it has an annual cap.

[SunsoutGunsout]

 

If not in pursuit of a degree it has an annual cap.

From my understanding to use it for fixed wing or rotor-wing you have to have a private pilot license first.

[stratose]

But how about the selective Reserve GI Bill that includes a "kicker" which additional GI money? Can Kicker be used for flight hours?

 

Also, anyone ever hear of TA being used for flight hours if the program is through a university?

[SunsoutGunsout]

I can't speak for the reserve bit but that is how you fly with UHI and Quantum, UHI is either through Dodge City Community College or Embry-Riddle. Quantum is through Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

[apacheguy]

Also, anyone ever hear of TA being used for flight hours if the program is through a university?

 

TA is a very small amount ~$250 per credit I believe. It might pay for a whopping 0.1 hours of flight time. Can't think of a reason why you couldn't use it but it wouldn't cover much.

[KING]

So here is how it works. Universities that have their own aviation programs, like UND (University of North Dakota) and Embry Riddle, you will have to pay out of pocket to get your PPL and then the GI bill pays a percentage.

 

There are colleges that have a degree program but contract the aviation education to a privately owned company. I am currently enrolled in one of these programs and all my costs are covered. And when I say all, I mean all. I also receive the local BAH amount for being enrolled full time and get the $1000 book stipend. I am of course 100% VA. So currently I am enrolled at the Treasure Valley Community College (Caldwell, ID), but my flight training is through Silverhawk Aviation Academy (which is an amazing flight school in every aspect. In this program I will leave with an AAS (associates degree) plus my PPL, Commercial, CFI, CFII and receive long line training. I would highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to get into aviation. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

[Matt321]

A long line cfi!? Well zipadeedoodaa! Sign me up!

[stratose]

KING - how does contracting out the aviation allow you to get all your flying paid for whereas a university having it in house wouldn't? Having a hard time understanding. I PMed you as well. Thanks.

[Matt321]

That's because king is mistaken. He is mixing up the old and the new (post911) gi bill. Schools like embry riddle have programs approved for 100% expenses paid including flight training. No idea if they rw or just fw though. Find a school you like and talk to the va certifying official. Contracting out the aviation is a "mutually beneficial" arrangement so a flight school and college can reap the benefits of the post 911 bill. It does not have to be a separate entity though. There is no percentage in the new bill, but a cap for the year on vocational only training.

[KING]

KING - how does contracting out the aviation allow you to get all your flying paid for whereas a university having it in house wouldn't? Having a hard time understanding. I PMed you as well. Thanks.

 

Under the Post 9-11 GI Bill it states that tuition and FEES are covered. Since the college works through a separate entity (a contractor), the flight costs get labeled as "fees". Universities have caps, roughly $20,000 a year. No cap for the college contract option.

 

The 60% thing is under the Montgomery GI Bill (Ch30), but even under the Post 911 GI Bill and the university owned education option you have to pay for your private out of pocket.

 

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/flight_training.asp

[A-aron]

That's because king is mistaken. He is mixing up the old and the new (post911) gi bill. Schools like embry riddle have programs approved for 100% expenses paid including flight training. No idea if they rw or just fw though. Find a school you like and talk to the va certifying official. Contracting out the aviation is a "mutually beneficial" arrangement so a flight school and college can reap the benefits of the post 911 bill. It does not have to be a separate entity though. There is no percentage in the new bill, but a cap for the year on vocational only training.

Embry Riddle technically DOES NOT have any GI Bill flight training. Long story short, they do offer RW flight training that is 100% covered by working with a contract company that also cooperates with community colleges. This is because of there being a cap for private colleges, and no cap for public colleges. So in order to do RW flight training at Embry Riddle in Prescott you are almost a member of two colleges.

[Matt321]

The 20k you mention is for a private IHL not public and last I saw it was closer to 18. It has nothing to do with contractors. If you read the thread on proposed changes you can see that there is a push for the 18k cap pre year for flt training for public or private IHL. Let's hope that never happens. The gi bill text is online, it's not an easy read but it may clear up some of the confusion you have king. It also has nothing to do with the school being a "college" or "university".

[Matt321]

Thx a-aron for clarifying embry riddles program. I wasn't aware of the details of their program. I have a degree from them and I thought they were a great school, the work around to cash in on chapter 33 students sounds a little weird though.