New GI Bill and Flight Training
- Thread starter FightingFalconInstructor
- Start date
Are there any VA Approved college flight programs in your areas? From what I understand thats the only way around the 10k per year cap. It sucks doing part 141 with college courses but I think its better than 10K a year. Call the VA or a college with a flight program and talk to a VA Rep. I'm sure there were good intentions with this Post 9/11 2.0, but it really screwed things up. 10k a year for flight training - the joke is on us vets.
It would be in your best interest to do so, or uncle sam will slowly take back those "entitlements" you worked hard for. Obama signed the 2.0 change to the chapter 33 GI Bill thinking it would benefit more military men and women, and it does to a certain point. What he didnt make clear was that because of those added benefits, vets currently using the post 9/11 are going to see alot of their benefits decrease.
Yeah! $10,000 is a great deal...
$17500 is a much better deal, though.
If you want to discuss entitlement; why should someone else be entitled to more than me simply because of geography? Does that sound equitable to you? I didn't make these rules... I'm just trying to figure out how to play the game. So unless you have something constructive to say...
First, because of this thread, I am now a pilot and going through commercial soon. So thanks to those that hashed out all this and made those lists of schools.
It's entirely up to the schools to set their program up. They either don't know about this, don't understand the VA system, or they think it is just not worth the hassle. That's why there are so few approved schools. And the ones that did go through the hassle are seeing their reward. Vets from all over the country are up and moving for them. It is too good to pass up for a lot of us.
This is not toward you, it's for anyone that has a problem with the 9/11 bill: None of us are even entitled to this. We signed up when the old GI Bill was in place; the flat rate $1300?/month, no bah one. That's what we are entitled to. Anything else is above and beyond. The government has gone way beyond what I expected of them. And I know I'm going to take full advantage of what's offered to me.
It all comes down to whether you want it bad enough. Long story short: move. You can wait around for a local school, or you can try to change the system, or you can settle with $10k per year. Everyone's situation is different. But, someone with 36 months left could get almost $150k at the public school I'm at. That's for 0-CFII in fixed wing and rotary. That's a hell of an opportunity to miss out on if you can't relocate.
Yeah! $10,000 is a great deal...
$17500 is a much better deal, though.
If you want to discuss entitlement; why should someone else be entitled to more than me simply because of geography? Does that sound equitable to you? I didn't make these rules... I'm just trying to figure out how to play the game. So unless you have something constructive to say...
It's entirely up to the schools to set their program up. They either don't know about this, don't understand the VA system, or they think it is just not worth the hassle. That's why there are so few approved schools. And the ones that did go through the hassle are seeing their reward. Vets from all over the country are up and moving for them. It is too good to pass up for a lot of us.
This is not toward you, it's for anyone that has a problem with the 9/11 bill: None of us are even entitled to this. We signed up when the old GI Bill was in place; the flat rate $1300?/month, no bah one. That's what we are entitled to. Anything else is above and beyond. The government has gone way beyond what I expected of them. And I know I'm going to take full advantage of what's offered to me.
It all comes down to whether you want it bad enough. Long story short: move. You can wait around for a local school, or you can try to change the system, or you can settle with $10k per year. Everyone's situation is different. But, someone with 36 months left could get almost $150k at the public school I'm at. That's for 0-CFII in fixed wing and rotary. That's a hell of an opportunity to miss out on if you can't relocate.
So, moving is not the best option for you. Take the 10k per year. Or, sign up at a local school and use the BAH to take flight lessons at KLGB. Put up with the classes and you'll have just over 20k for flight training. Or, even better, go to Mt SAC. They have aviation degrees and a small flight training operation at KPOC. Either way, you are not missing out.
jperez826
New Member
I am planning on going to San Jacinto College and using the 12 months I have left of GI Bill towards getting as many ratings as possible. If all goes well I'll be able to make it up to CFI during those 12 months. The problem will be getting CFII and MEI, those will have to come out of pocket, my benefits will expire by the time I reach that point. I saw the price for them on Aerosim's Catalog... and OMG, that's a huge chunk of money. I guess I'm trying to figure out which way to go about them, stay with San Jacinto, go to Aerosim, or try another school for those two ratings.
Any advise will be appreciated.
Any advise will be appreciated.
Aceninja
Well-Known Member
jperez826 said:
Are you using the post 9/11 GI Bill? If so, the cost of attending San Jacinto should be covered 100%, at least for the 12 months. Do you have your private already? If not, do a cost-benefits analysis? Find out how much it costs for you to do your private first out of pocket at a local FBO, (rent a 150), then compare it with how much you would spend getting your CFII n MEI. Since the VA goes by time first and money second (based on your state rate), this might save you a ton of $$$. Do the math and see if it works for you.
jperez826
New Member
I am using the post 9/11. I don't have a private but I have enough hours to get one (thanks mostly to IFS). It's been years though. I checked ATP's prices for CFII and MEI, and both together are probably 1/3 of what Aerosim charge for just one. I've saved enough money to cover the cost, but OMG, if I can get the same quality training for less, then there is no reason to spend it all. I don't have anything against the school, it's just that I am not rich, and I want start my career debt free.
hawaiipilotwannabe
New Member
does anybody know anything about Honolulu Community college and their commercial aviation program? will the GI BILL cover it all??? i dont feel like dropping 30k for flight school and the classes... im active duty and trying to get my degree so I can go to OCS. Thanks for the help.
tjwareusmc
New Member
I called Honolulu and they were set up to take the post 9/11 Gi Bill but decided to stop accepting it. Sounded kinda weird to me but as of about 3 months ago they were not accepting it and did not forsee doing so again in the near future.
Now that I'm thoroughly confused.... I want to take flight lessons, I'm currently active duty USCG. The VA website shows 3 schools approved for GI Bill benefits, all are dedicated flight schools without college programs attached. What will the GI Bill cover, and can someone shoot me a link with the information?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Helodriver27
Well-Known Member
If you're talking Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) stuff, in order to have your flight training covered 100%...you need to be taking the appropriate classes/flight training with an IHL (institute of higher learning; i.e. college, university) that is approved by the VA to do so. I am currently utilizing this awesome benefit for helo flight training...and love how things are coming along. You can PM with me with any specific questions if you want.
-Lee
He is right, but beaware of colleges with large flight school contracts. I was a student with a certain school who had a contract with a large academy. The training at the flight academy was just horrible! Look into the college you wish to attend, but most importantly look into the school you'll be training at! PM me for more info!
So, I guess if we were planning on starting flight training in August, maybe we should wait until October to see if we can get our full ammount at a Part 141 school..?