Military Tuition Assistance

[coleslaw]

Hey new member here. I am currently active duty military stationed in missouri and have over 6 years of service in with about a year and a half to go. Me and my family have decided it is time to move on and I have decided to pursue a dream of becoming a helo pilot. I have already started applying at some schools and have found one in Utah that seems to be "The one". However, I do have a family and have been thinking of ways to get the ball rolling and get started on hours and experience, but... How to pay for it? It states under the guidelines that TA may be used for flight training, but my question is how and where? Nobody at the ed centers seem to know (go figure) and would I have to be enrolled in an actual degree program or not? And would the program have to be accredited or can it be any "learn to fly" private pilot program? I am hoping somebody here has the answers or advice and I will likely be on here much more in the future getting more information on schools for after I get out and pursue my aviation degree finally. Thanks.

[ridethisbike]

I haven't dealt with that particular avenue. Not many here have, if I'm not mistaken.

 

I'd go back to the Ed Center and ask them again. If they still can't give an answer, ask them who you can call to find out.

[pilot#476398]

It sounds like you are talking to a college rep? Have you talked with the flight school? They usually have all the answers to financial aid questions.,...at least in my experience.

[bombdoc]

OK, let's start of by clarifying a couple of terms. TA specifically is only for active duty/reservists, and covers 75% of tuition. About the only thing that TA covers would be a ground school that is offered by a college. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is another story. It will cover 100% of your costs (there are cost caps) to go to flight school. These are more commonly known as "chapter 33 benefits". The flight training must be part of a degree-seeking college program. Most often a private flight school partners with a community college to make this happen. There are a ton of threads here that cover this topic, you just have to look a little. I'll be more than happy to PM you a list of chapter 33 schools that I know about. Most education offices are pretty ignorant about it. I also strongly recommend that you download the Ebook called "Everything you ever wanted to know about becoming a Helicopter Pilot!" (Thehelicopterstore.com) It provides some great information on different career paths in the helicopter industry.

 

You serving time at Whiteman?

[coleslaw]

No I am out of Leonard Wood. A PM would be great. I am just trying to get a head start for when I get out. I don't want to spend too much time in college, especially when I have a wife and two kids. Can't be a broke college student for too long haha.

I ahve also seen some threads on here where people are saying that a degree is not worth too much and some actualy reccommend trying to get a job with just certifications and no college as it presents little if any advantage. Any insight on that?

[Nearly Retired]

Coleslaw: Son, I say this with all respect - before you even THINK about schools and financial aid, please do some research on what it's going to take for you to become a working helicopter pilot in a job that'll pay enough to actually support a wife and two kids. I know it's your dream, and I don't want to kill it. But this is a terrible industry to break into, as well as to work in. Trust me...oh wait- don't trust me! Ask around. Ask other working pilots (not starry-eyed dreamers who are in the same boat as you) what flying for a living is really like, especially when it comes to quality of life and the effect these jobs have on our families.

 

You can thank me later.

[Trans Lift]

Yeah, you'll be a broke college student for at least 3-4 years after you finish your flight training, while trying to build time to get to better jobs.

Edited January 8, 2014 by Trans Lift

[pilot#476398]

Wife and two kids? If I were you I'd stay in until my 20yr retirement! Then pursue flying as a second career. A buddy of mine just retied from the Navy after 20 years (also wife and two kids) and I can't tell you just how jealous I am of his pension, paid tuition, and housing allowance (while in school)! Although he's going for a real degree not flight training.

[gary-mike]

He/she, may not be able to stay in 20 if the rest of the DOD is cutting as much as the Air Force is right now.

 

I can get up to $250 per credit hour in TA being active duty, I have used it for ground school, gen Ed classes, and a sim course (waiting on medical post PRK). It's the best use of it I feel, it won't buy much flight time.

 

Research a lot before you decide on the path you want to take, and which school you choose. If you find a school you plan to attend, talk to them about transfer credits, and find an online school they accept credit from. Then you can start working toward the degree using TA until you separate, and it will save you time on your GI bill.

[Joe_P148]

No I am out of Leonard Wood. A PM would be great. I am just trying to get a head start for when I get out. I don't want to spend too much time in college, especially when I have a wife and two kids. Can't be a broke college student for too long haha.

I ahve also seen some threads on here where people are saying that a degree is not worth too much and some actualy reccommend trying to get a job with just certifications and no college as it presents little if any advantage. Any insight on that?

 

There are some very good forum topics about having a degree in the industry vs not having a degree. There are also some excellent topics about use of the G.I Bill for certifications, I believe they must be commercial ratings in order for the V.A. to cover them under the GI Bill. Don't quote me on that however as I am not an SME. Do you know if you have the GI Bill? Did you look at flying for the Army? It is much easier IMO to go the route of doing a WOC packet then getting out, supporting a family with no degree and then trying to pick up flying on the side. I highly encourage you to look into flying for the Army, or the National Guard. It will get your foot in the door, get you the hours and commercial ratings and training that you need and it will allow you to get some money on the side.

 

Mabye the Army isn't for you anymore, that's cool.. It's just going to be a long and expensive road to take to accomplish what you want.

 

I urge you to do some contingency planning, budgeting, and research before you dive into this thought of doing the helicopter school. Does your Wife work? or are you the only bread winner in the household? I don't mean to insult your inteligence with these questions just apply real world barriers to idealogical goals. Good luck, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[aeroscout]

It would be wise to think of your desired flying career as temporary. Anyone who relies on their physical abilities primarily over their intellectual abilities is more or less in the same boat.

 

Another wise thought...there but for the grace of God go I.

 

Part of God's grace is that he allows you to set up alternates to your career in advance. That way you can minimize the potential hazards of getting boxed in, or obsoleted out.