Can Tuition Assistance (and not the GI Bill) pay for private flight school?

[stratose]

I know the GI Bill can pay a portion of flight school after you get your PPL, but can tuition assistance cover flight hours if the aviation program is part of a university degree program? I think a few on this board have mentioned creative ways to use TA for this purpose?

[WolftalonID]

Yes.

 

Several schools are finding creative ways to keep their drag nets in the water. Just call the list of VA schools..its getting smaller and you will find a few that have found the loop holes.

[stratose]

Yes.

 

Several schools are finding creative ways to keep their drag nets in the water. Just call the list of VA schools..its getting smaller and you will find a few that have found the loop holes.

 

Does this apply to the Guard/Reserves as well?

[SBuzzkill]

TA has to be approved on a course by course basis and the cap isn't really going to allow you to use it for flight training (it's just not enough money).

[stratose]

TA has to be approved on a course by course basis and the cap isn't really going to allow you to use it for flight training (it's just not enough money).

 

What is the amount of the cap you're talking about? In my state, the Guard offers 100% tuition assistance, so there is no cap as long as it's a public school. So I'm assuming that if there is a FAA approved "professional pilot" degree program offered at a public school, I could use TA to pay for flight hours associated with that program?

[Azakdan2682]

From what I have been told, the post 9/11 GI bill can pay 100% of flight training up to 12,300 each fiscal year for rating beyond ppl and yes if you go to school for an aviation degree that includes flight training, tuition assistance will pay for it.

[stratose]

From what I have been told, the post 9/11 GI bill can pay 100% of flight training up to 12,300 each fiscal year for rating beyond ppl and yes if you go to school for an aviation degree that includes flight training, tuition assistance will pay for it.

 

Some states offer 100% tuition assistance in the Nat'l Guard. So you're saying those states would pay for the flight costs portion of the degree program? You've actually seen this done recently?

[Azakdan2682]

It is what I have been told, I would talk with the VA directly, if the person doesn't sound like they know what they are talking about, call at another time. My exp with VA is some if the members are very competent, and others seem very new with misinformation.

[stratose]

It is what I have been told, I would talk with the VA directly, if the person doesn't sound like they know what they are talking about, call at another time. My exp with VA is some if the members are very competent, and others seem very new with misinformation.

 

I've tried several times over with the VA and I can't seem to get a straight answer from them. One rep said they do, then two other ladies said they didn't think so. I tried my state's education office and they said "probably not" but then I've heard a few Guard guys say the TA covered their flight costs. So I just don't know what to think anymore.