New GI Bill and Flight Training

Besides the new changes to the Post 9/11 that were just voted on a couple weeks ago....as long as you transferred from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post 9/11 you still retain the ability to use your Post 9/11 for the 60% reimbursement deal.

I transferred over almost a year ago expecting to lose that option. I got a letter in the mail with the paperwork for the transfer that surprised me saying that I still have that option. Though it looks like that is all changing anyway and it doesn't matter.
 
hook_dupin said:
Changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill will allow it to be used for technical training (i.e....Part 141 flight schools) starting Aug 2011!

Here's my FL 290 version:

-Covers 100% of tuition up to $17,500 per year for 36 months for private institutions
-E-5 with dependents housing allowance paid to vets studying full time
-$1000 per year book allowance
-Can be used for certification tests with some limitations

Bottom line: if you're a vet or Active duty, you can now shop around for more flight schools. Start your training (or even consider pausing your training if you're currently using Montgomery) after Aug 2011.

Read more here:
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2...urprise-congress-passes-improvements-122210w/
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This is a bad deal for some, I'm just starting at school in Minnesota that offers flight training. The current mn rate is 37000 per term! Starting in august that will get reduced significantly. Would I need almost 40k a term, no. But 20,000 a year may not be enough to cover flight cost and my tuition for classes. This will be the case for the majority of states. The ability to go to a tech school is great but they are lowering the dollar amount paid in most states, places like California will benefit greatly but the majority will lose out. Many of us may have to hope for a yellow ribbon program or pay out of pocket. The whole purpose of the post 9/11 bill was so that school would be 100% paid.
 
Does it cover Type rating? I didn't read the whole thread, so bad on me if it was already mentioned.
 
LucasL said:
This is a bad deal for some, I'm just starting at school in Minnesota that offers flight training. The current mn rate is 37000 per term! Starting in august that will get reduced significantly. Would I need almost 40k a term, no. But 20,000 a year may not be enough to cover flight cost and my tuition for classes. This will be the case for the majority of states. The ability to go to a tech school is great but they are lowering the dollar amount paid in most states, places like California will benefit greatly but the majority will lose out. Many of us may have to hope for a yellow ribbon program or pay out of pocket. The whole purpose of the post 9/11 bill was so that school would be 100% paid.
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I believe that $17,500/yr limit is for pt 141 schools. If you are attending a flight program through a college or university then it should still be covered the same as it is today. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
 
LucasL said:
This is a bad deal for some, I'm just starting at school in Minnesota that offers flight training. The current mn rate is 37000 per term! Starting in august that will get reduced significantly. Would I need almost 40k a term, no. But 20,000 a year may not be enough to cover flight cost and my tuition for classes. This will be the case for the majority of states. The ability to go to a tech school is great but they are lowering the dollar amount paid in most states, places like California will benefit greatly but the majority will lose out. Many of us may have to hope for a yellow ribbon program or pay out of pocket. The whole purpose of the post 9/11 bill was so that school would be 100% paid.
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$17,500 is the new cap for private schools vice the maximum public school cost for a particular state. For most folks reading this forum, that means a yearly $17,500 cap if you decided to do flight training through a FBO/Academy instead of a college with an aviation department. Public schools are still 100% funding. Add the E-5 BAH to it, and its a pretty damn good deal.
 
DMEcounter said:
Has anybody found schools in CA that include flight training in the fees?
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Probably not because the maximum amount of fees in CA is only about 2000 a term. That would not be enough to cover flight training. However in August it maybe changing to 20k a year for every one which may open up more options.
 
The classes are 100% funded, but the flight time gets charged as fees. This is the cap they are talking about. So your ground school, and general classes are all paid, and then you have a limit on fees based on your state you are in. Some states are as high as 80,000 and some are as low as 80 dollars. This why they are changing it to the flat 20k a year. Majority will lose out, and some places like Arkansas and California will get alot more.
 
LucasL said:
Probably not because the maximum amount of fees in CA is only about 2000 a term. That would not be enough to cover flight training. However in August it maybe changing to 20k a year for every one which may open up more options.
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They have petitioned to have that raised to around $50K. The review board meets this month to consider it.
 
subpilot said:
They have petitioned to have that raised to around $50K. The review board meets this month to consider it.
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Update for California Flight Program via College of Sequoias in Visalia CA: They have the Helicopter program approved for Post 9/11 GI Bill and are now working on the Airplane program approval. They expect final approval by April or May since they now know how the approval process works. As for the State cap issue... as of Aug 1st, 2011 there will be no more caps for public school programs so that issue will be moot. I expect people will be able to enroll in the program by Fall 2011 school semester.
 
I've been reading through these posts and I wanted to see if I've got this straight:

After August of this year, we can use the post 9/11 GI bill for aviation training?

What does "version 2.0" mean to those of us in CA who want to use our post 9/11 for aviation training.
 
I am active duty Army. From what I read, Flight training at approved FAA flight school is limited to $10,000/yr as per the legislative bill. It is also on the AOPA website. Not sure where you are getting the $17500. Are you speaking about those enrolled in a university flight program? I would like some clarification on this as I wish to start on my commercial training this year.

Three years to retirement, plan is to have CFI by the time I step out the Army door. No debt, medical/dental, and a $55000/yr retirement...I want to start my second career as a flight instructor at a nice flying club or university flight program. No desire for the airlines.......25 years of the military, I am tired of living anyplace but at home!
 
SuperBTT said:
I am active duty Army. From what I read, Flight training at approved FAA flight school is limited to $10,000/yr as per the legislative bill. It is also on the AOPA website. Not sure where you are getting the $17500. Are you speaking about those enrolled in a university flight program? I would like some clarification on this as I wish to start on my commercial training this year.

Three years to retirement, plan is to have CFI by the time I step out the Army door. No debt, medical/dental, and a $55000/yr retirement...I want to start my second career as a flight instructor at a nice flying club or university flight program. No desire for the airlines.......25 years of the military, I am tired of living anyplace but at home!
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55000/yr - You must have been up there in the ranks - let me guess officer? LTCOL or a full bird?
Military Retirement is a joke if your enlisted and you don't have your head in the right place.
Half of a base salary at an E-7 with 20 years is alittle over 2k a month. The smart ones learn a skill or a trade they can use as civilians the other end up as wal-mart door greeters.
I did my time and I just recently ETSed to use the Post 9/11. I was told by my senior NCOs that I would be living under a freeway over-pass if I got out of the Army. The funny thing is I am making more money collecting Post 9/11 BAH and working FT than I would have if I were still active duty. Yeah it sucks I have to pay into my healthcare but im not hurting.
 
erictgill said:
55000/yr - You must have been up there in the ranks - let me guess officer? LTCOL or a full bird?
Military Retirement is a joke if your enlisted and you don't have your head in the right place.
Half of a base salary at an E-7 with 20 years is alittle over 2k a month. The smart ones learn a skill or a trade they can use as civilians the other end up as wal-mart door greeters.
I did my time and I just recently ETSed to use the Post 9/11. I was told by my senior NCOs that I would be living under a freeway over-pass if I got out of the Army. The funny thing is I am making more money collecting Post 9/11 BAH and working FT than I would have if I were still active duty. Yeah it sucks I have to pay into my healthcare but im not hurting.
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LTC/COL? Nope...CW4 to be exact. I was being conservative, it would actually be $58000 when I retire...if I don't make CW5. If I make 5, I'll stay till 30 and draw $72000/yr. Yeah, I will be 48, but I am not looking for another 20 year career. Just flying and teaching which I enjoy. By the way, I started out as an E-1...no easy fast track then. I have 2 guys now that work for me trying to go warrant. They are always bitching about the pay as junior enlisted. In my opinion, if you are going to stay in the Army 20+ years, warrant is the way to go. Of course, if you can put up with the military for that long.

Are you in a university flight program or flying at an FBO? Curious to see how you are progressing. Incidentally, some people in the Army, don't want their subordinates to move onto better things. Never understood that mentality. It's a good gig...where else can you retire in 20 years today? Yeah, enlisted pensions are not sweepstakes money....but you can choose your success. I did, others don't. Hence, why some people retire with a mediocre retirement and others with a great one. If you work hard, keep your nose clean, do your job, and take some college...you can achieve whatever you want in the military. It's all how you handle it.
 
SuperBTT said:
LTC/COL? Nope...CW4 to be exact. I was being conservative, it would actually be $58000 when I retire...if I don't make CW5. If I make 5, I'll stay till 30 and draw $72000/yr. Yeah, I will be 48, but I am not looking for another 20 year career. Just flying and teaching which I enjoy. By the way, I started out as an E-1...no easy fast track then. I have 2 guys now that work for me trying to go warrant. They are always bitching about the pay as junior enlisted. In my opinion, if you are going to stay in the Army 20+ years, warrant is the way to go. Of course, if you can put up with the military for that long.

Are you in a university flight program or flying at an FBO? Curious to see how you are progressing. Incidentally, some people in the Army, don't want their subordinates to move onto better things. Never understood that mentality. It's a good gig...where else can you retire in 20 years today? Yeah, enlisted pensions are not sweepstakes money....but you can choose your success. I did, others don't. Hence, why some people retire with a mediocre retirement and others with a great one. If you work hard, keep your nose clean, do your job, and take some college...you can achieve whatever you want in the military. It's all how you handle it.
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I'm attending a Community College in Houston, the flight training is done through Aerosim Academy. Its no fancy university but it gets the certifications and flight time done. I am still undecided on whether or not I want to make this a career or not; for now a AAS Degree will do. I'm leaning towards just jumping into a different field and attending a University for the bachelors. Right now I'm just going to sit back and enjoy school and training, beats the hell out of "area beautication" until 1 SGT shows up to release soldiers at 1800.

I did my time as a lower enlisted in a Cav unit and I must say these opportunities not just given to you. I cant count the number of times I have seen idiots promoted to NCO's solely because they have a slightly higher APFT score. I never understood it! Idiots who have been arrested for DWI and Domestic Violence get promoted because they score a few points higher than another soldier. I do agree that the military can provide much need benefits to help its soldiers and the VA has been a blessing to vets! 20 years enlisted just isnt something I want to put myself through - 20 years for half of my base pay just doesn't seem worth it -IMO.
 
erictgill said:
I'm attending a Community College in Houston, the flight training is done through Aerosim Academy. Its no fancy university but it gets the certifications and flight time done. I am still undecided on whether or not I want to make this a career or not; for now a AAS Degree will do. I'm leaning towards just jumping into a different field and attending a University for the bachelors. Right now I'm just going to sit back and enjoy school and training, beats the hell out of "area beautication" until 1 SGT shows up to release soldiers at 1800.

I did my time as a lower enlisted in a Cav unit and I must say these opportunities not just given to you. I cant count the number of times I have seen idiots promoted to NCO's solely because they have a slightly higher APFT score. I never understood it! Idiots who have been arrested for DWI and Domestic Violence get promoted because they score a few points higher than another soldier. I do agree that the military can provide much need benefits to help its soldiers and the VA has been a blessing to vets! 20 years enlisted just isnt something I want to put myself through - 20 years for half of my base pay just doesn't seem worth it -IMO.
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Good luck to you. Kinda ironic though....I came in the Army as a 19D...actually was for 6 years before getting out of the MOS. That was a long time ago. Seems like every time I wanted to pursue flying as a career, the damned economy shot craps and airlines were in financial problems. When I hit the 10 year mark, I decided to stay and wait it out. I am glad I did; in fact, I could survive on 800 month as an instructor with my retirement. My goal is to gain enough experience to get on with community college/university aviation program.

How are the new changes in the GI Bill going to affect your training? They changed the caps on assistance. Good luck and fly safely.
 
Does anyone have any more info on this? So If I am getting this straight, if I go to a flight school that has a college degree program, (Aviator College for example), does the Post 9/11 GI Bill still cover 100% of flight training costs or only up to $17,500k/year? Would Aviator be considered as a public or private school?
Last year they were paying 100%, does this mean that in this August the rates will be lowered?
 
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