139 replies to this topic

[stick]

Thread Revival x2. Does anyone know any military friendly ATP programs within a four or five hour drive of Wichita, KS? I've finished the test; just need the flight.

[KennyB]

Has anyone attempted to get the Education Office to pay for your ATP test/flight via the 1-time $4500 certification? There is some verbiage about $250/credit hour, and that doesn't directly translate to an FAA certificate program. The Ed Office explained to me that if I can show where the school is accredited, they would pay for the cert. I explained that the AllATP course is only 3 days long, and she said in non-standard courses, they'll pay $250 for every 15 hours of instruction.

So in the case of the 3-day course at AllATP, the AF would pay up to $750 of the total $2500 bill (and a $300 evaluator charge on top of that)... but they'll pay nothing unless I can prove the school's accreditation.

Anyone already fought/won this battle?

[Champ Kind]

Isn't it accredited with the FAA?

I'm just kidding, but seriously.

[HookEmAll]

Does this funding incur an ADSC like TA? I've never heard of this before, and perhaps the ADSC would explain why.

[slc]

Simply wait till 1 Oct 11, the change(s) to the Post 9/11 bill takes effect which allows the VA to pay up to 10K per month for flight training benefits (including ATP) in addition to BAH. Higher Power Aviation = 737 type with ATP certificate, 2 wk course, $7500 + $500 for hotel. Cost to you = $0. Get it now before the gov. takes it away!!

[Champ Kind]

Slc,

So if one were to use the benefits for that purpose and amount, would there be anything left to transfer to a dependent for their college education?

[slc]

I spoke directly with VA about this (ie how many months of benefits left after going to HPA). After 1 Oct, VA will pay for flight trng benefits up to 10k PER MONTH ie if your course is 3 months then reimbursement for 3 months (up to 10k per month). With HPA (a 2 wk. course), she said you will burn 1 month (2 months max) of benefits of your total post 9/11 months remaining.

[KennyB]

So, if you're only using one month of Post 9/11 GI Bill, you should have 35 months remaining to pass onto the kids.

"This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty."

Not a bad deal to steal only one month of school from your kid when you consider that you'll be front loading the FAA certificate required for your civilian transition.

[slc]

Absolutely. Most individuals have done HPA in the past and had to front $3000 (VA would only pay for 50-60%). And for those of us in the Guard/Reserve who have burned past benefits and need to tally up how much they have left and subsequently qualify for, read this little gem (which is another very important bit of info buried in the system). I've been down this road, so feel free to ask for more advice.

http://www.afrc.af.m...911-gi-bill.asp

[JarheadBoom]

slc, on 28 July 2011 - 10:24 AM, said:

Absolutely. Most individuals have done HPA in the past and had to front $3000 (VA would only pay for 50-60%). And for those of us in the Guard/Reserve who have burned past benefits and need to tally up how much they have left and subsequently qualify for, read this little gem (which is another very important bit of info buried in the system). I've been down this road, so feel free to ask for more advice.

http://www.afrc.af.m...911-gi-bill.asp

Great link, thanks!

[ThreeHoler]

slc, on 28 July 2011 - 08:50 AM, said:

I spoke directly with VA about this (ie how many months of benefits left after going to HPA). After 1 Oct, VA will pay for flight trng benefits up to 10k PER MONTH ie if your course is 3 months then reimbursement for 3 months (up to 10k per month). With HPA (a 2 wk. course), she said you will burn 1 month (2 months max) of benefits of your total post 9/11 months remaining.

The GI Bill website has the following information:

Quote

Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the US Department of Veterans Affairs will cover the lesser amount between the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees charged by the flight schools and $10,000. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is now lobbying Congress to pass an appropriation bill that would make sure that flight training funding will indeed be available to those who would like to attend flight schools.

http://www.gibill.co...i-bill-333.html

Looks like a good deal to me. Thanks for the heads up!

[BFM this]

KennyB, on 27 July 2011 - 11:26 AM, said:

Has anyone attempted to get the Education Office to pay for your ATP test/flight via the 1-time $4500 certification? There is some verbiage about $250/credit hour, and that doesn't directly translate to an FAA certificate program. The Ed Office explained to me that if I can show where the school is accredited, they would pay for the cert. I explained that the AllATP course is only 3 days long, and she said in non-standard courses, they'll pay $250 for every 15 hours of instruction.

So in the case of the 3-day course at AllATP, the AF would pay up to $750 of the total $2500 bill (and a $300 evaluator charge on top of that)... but they'll pay nothing unless I can prove the school's accreditation.

Anyone already fought/won this battle?

If you need to reference an education office that is up and running with this, call Moody. They've got two schools approved. I didn't use them for my ATP due to scheduling complications, but they know the regs and certification requirements.

[Homestar]

Can one still use his post-9/11 GI bill if one has already signed the paperwork to transfer bennies to the kids?

[GoAround]

Homestar, on 30 July 2011 - 08:57 AM, said:

Can one still use his post-9/11 GI bill if one has already signed the paperwork to transfer bennies to the kids?

Yes, most def.

[sputnik]

Been reading some stories about it since it's now past 1 Oct, what I see says 10k per year (vs month cited above), which I could care a less about as I'm covered either way. What I'm not sure of, hwo many months of the 36 does it actually take away from what I give my kids? A month or two I could care a less about, a year's worth....

I realize it's been in place a week, but anyone pressed to test on this? I wanna get signed up with Higher Power.

[slc]

Although, i haven't tested this yet (will do in a few months), I did talk to a VA rep earlier this year about this very topic. She said the $7500 tuition will take away no more than 1 month of benefits. This makes sense considering the benefit is based on up to $10K per month for flight training. Anyone else in an earlier class date feel free to let us know.

[HookEmAll]

I've called the flight schools, the VA, the base education offices, and word of mouth on how much of your 36 months you are giving up. The flight schools can't seem to get a straight answer from the VA. I can't get an answer even when I ask the question four different ways, the answer is always, well sir it depends on how much you use or well, up to 10,000$, and the base education office gives me the old montgomery gi bill answer. I have a friend using it now, but even he doesn't know (or care). Most people on here have the info that it is one month, but I'd rather not accidentally use 12, right?

[sputnik]

slc, on 10 October 2011 - 07:34 AM, said:

Although, i haven't tested this yet (will do in a few months), I did talk to a VA rep earlier this year about this very topic. She said the $7500 tuition will take away no more than 1 month of benefits. This makes sense considering the benefit is based on up to $10K per month for flight training. Anyone else in an earlier class date feel free to let us know.

Where are you seeing $10k/mo? Since I haven't seen how many months it counts for I'm not yet overly concerned, but what I see shows 10k per year.

From: https://gibill.custh...ight%20training at the VA site

Payments for flight training vary based on which type of flight training course and what kind of school you are enrolled in:

• If you are enrolled in any degree program that consists of flight training at a public Institution of Higher Learning you can be reimbursed up to the resident in-state cost of the training and will receive your housing allowance and the books & supplies stipend.
  
• If you are enrolled in any degree program that consists of flight training at a private Institution of Higher Learning you can be reimbursed up to the full cost of the training or $17,500 per academic year, whichever is less. You will also receive your housing allowance and the books & supplies stipend.
  
• If you are enrolled in any type of vocational flight training you can be reimbursed up to the full cost of training or $10,000 per academic year, whichever is less, you WILL NOT receive any housing allowance or books & supplies stipend.

[slc]

Oops, typo. you are correct $10K per academic year. Even indicating this bit to the VA earlier in the year, her response was still 1-2 months of drain of your total benefits. (which to me doesn't jive). Nobody (VA, schools, HPA, etc.) can give a definitive answer. I guess the only way to find out is by trial/error. Will follow up.

[nrodgsxr]

So we can get the 10k a year for only post 9/11 MGIbill and not the old one? I haven't converted to the post 9/11 because I thought only the old program paid for flight training.