Flight Education Access Act

Key Points

• This bill increases the amount of money students can borrow from the federal government to pay for commercial pilot training. Currently, the cost of flight school often exceeds standard federal loan limits, which forces many students to take out high-interest private loans or quit because they cannot afford the training fees.
• Under the new rules, independent students could borrow up to a total of $137,500 for their education, while students dependent on their parents could borrow up to $111,000. These higher limits are intended to help more people from different backgrounds afford the expensive flight hours required to become professional pilots.
• To ensure the money is being used well, flight schools must maintain at least a 70% graduation rate to remain eligible for these higher loan limits. This rule is designed to protect students from taking on large amounts of debt at schools where most people do not actually finish the program.
• Before any money is handed out, schools would be required to give students a clear breakdown of their debt. This includes the total amount they will owe, the interest rate, and an estimate of what their monthly payments will be after they graduate, helping students make more informed financial decisions.
• The program is specifically for students at accredited colleges and professional flight schools that offer degrees or certificates. It does not apply to casual flight lessons or small, local flight clubs that are not part of a structured, government-approved training curriculum.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.