HR3530-119

What This Bill Does

The Flight Education Access Act amends Higher Education Act section 455. For Federal Direct Stafford and Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loans to eligible students in undergraduate flight education and training programs, institutions must disclose before disbursement the principal, interest rate, number of standard-repayment monthly payments, expected months before repayment or deferment ends, estimated repayment-start balance including capitalized interest, projected monthly payment, and aggregate amount the borrower will pay including fees. Eligible programs must train applicants for a commercial pilot certificate, be accredited, award undergraduate certificates or associate or bachelor degrees, provide pilot training under 14 C.F.R. part 141, and exclude part 61 programs. After three years of data collection, programs must have a three-year average completion rate of at least 70 percent. Dependent students may borrow annual Direct Unsubsidized amounts of $20,500, $31,500, $32,500, and $22,500 by program year, with a $111,000 aggregate cap. Independent students may borrow $24,500, $35,500, $37,500, and $27,500 by program year, with a $137,500 aggregate cap. Direct Stafford annual limits are $11,000, $18,000, $19,000, and $13,000 by program year, with a $65,000 aggregate cap. The Secretary must collect student enrollment, completion, persistence, retention, transfer, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic data, report to Congress within nine months and biennially, and GAO must report within two years on participating institutions, enrolled students, loan participation, demographics, feedback, and implementation recommendations. The bill does not alter pilot training or qualification law and authorizes $3 million annually for fiscal 2025 through 2035.

Who Benefits and How

Flight students benefit from much higher federal loan limits for accredited commercial-pilot training programs. Accredited part 141 flight programs benefit because larger federal loans can make high-cost flight training more financeable. Regional airlines and aviation employers benefit if more students can afford commercial-pilot training. Dependent flight students benefit from an Unsubsidized Stafford aggregate cap of $111,000. Independent flight students benefit from an Unsubsidized Stafford aggregate cap of $137,500.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Flight student borrowers take on larger federal debt and must receive added repayment disclosures. Institutions offering flight programs must provide data for completion rates, demographics, enrollment, retention, transfer, and financial-aid reporting. Programs below a 70 percent three-year completion rate lose eligibility after the initial data period. Department of Education staff must implement new loan limits, disclosures, data collection, and biennial reports. GAO must review implementation and report to education and transportation committees.

Key Provisions

• Raises annual and aggregate Direct Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford loan limits for eligible flight students.
• Requires pre-disbursement loan disclosures on principal, rate, payments, repayment timing, projected balance, monthly payment, and total cost.
• Limits eligible programs to accredited undergraduate part 141 commercial-pilot training programs.
• Requires a 70 percent three-year completion rate after three years of data collection.
• Requires Education Department and GAO reports on participation, demographics, loan use, and implementation.
• Authorizes $3 million per year for fiscal 2025 through 2035 and preserves existing pilot qualification law.