Good day everyone,
For all my veterans, is G.I bill enough to cover all costs of flight training or is more financing going to be needed?
Thanks in Advance
Mika,
My understanding is while the GI Bill could be enough to cover all the costs, they limit how much you use yearly so you’d have to drag your training out over a long period of time.
Adam
This is correct, however if you decided to go the ATP route, the GI Bill will cover costs for certifications. Meaning it will cover costs of check rides and what not but will not cover the training portion leading up to the check rides. Basically you could get away with getting the required loan but not have to extend the loan amount to cover check rides and testing fees as a lot of students do. You can always attend a university for 4 years and go that path of course if you’re worried about the financial portion since you will get paid BAH and BAS while attending college full time.
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Caveat to this, I haven’t started training yet but my understanding is you’ll need to pay out of pocket for the check rides and testing fees and then request reimbursement from the VA to use your GI Bill - not sure of your education level, but honestly, I’d recommend using the GI Bill for a degree unless you’ve already got that covered. Alternatively, there are many schools you can use your GI Bill to get flight training and a degree in aviation from, but most of those are a minimum of 2 years long which if you’re looking into ATP, you probably understand the idea of getting your certifications as soon as possible - but there are schools out there.
-Steve
Stephen,
Yes that’s correct. At ATP, you can only use GI bill benefits for examiner fees which is roughly $7k (but fluctuates based on state and individual examiner fees). Plus the ATP/CTP course which is required for the STP rating, but these days pretty much any airline you get hired for will cover the cost of that course anyway.
You could go the university route, but it will take much longer and each year not at an airline affects your future seniority, quality of life and career earnings potential.
Hannah
Hannah,
I was interested in using the Post 9/11 GI Bill for the ATP/CTP and A320 type rating getting me my full ATP certificate (I already have Commercial/Inst AMEL). Do I have it right, the GI Bill would cover the full ATP/CTP but not the A320 type rating and the ATP rating with it?
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No Eric, you do not.
Adam
Adam,
That’s perfect, thank you for the point out!
Eric
Eric,
Why would you want to get your ATP and type rating on your own? If you meet the requirements for the ATP, the airline or employer (if you go part 135) you choose will pay for your training.
Hannah
Eric,
Yeah, what’s up with paying for your own type rating, unless you’re looking at one of the LCC carriers that does not cover the costs? Most of the airlines and P135 operators (most will have a contract for the type rating) that will cover the costs and training set forth. Are you looking to fly for a company that does not provide the ATP-CTP or type rating?
Brady
Brady,
It could be they don’t want to be locked into a training contract - also if they’ve already got a degree or are unable to transfer those benefits to family members, it may be the only thing they could use it on.
Just my two cents!