Flight Education Access Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3530

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T23:26:38Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Flight Education Access Act (H.R. 3530) aims to make flight training more affordable by increasing federal student loan limits for undergraduate students enrolled in eligible flight education programs. This supports access to training for aspiring commercial pilots, addressing potential shortages in the aviation workforce.

Key Provisions

• Increased Loan Limits: Raises annual and aggregate borrowing limits for Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized, where the government pays interest while in school) and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans (unsubsidized, where interest accrues immediately) specifically for students in eligible undergraduate flight programs. Limits vary by program year, student dependency status (dependent or independent), and program length.
• Dependent Students (Annual Limits):
• First year: Up to $20,500 (Unsubsidized); $11,000 (Stafford).
• After first year: Up to $31,500 (Unsubsidized); $18,000 (Stafford).
• After second year: Up to $32,500 (Unsubsidized); $19,000 (Stafford).
• After third year: Up to $22,500 (Unsubsidized); $13,000 (Stafford).
• Aggregate (total over program): $111,000 (Unsubsidized); $65,000 (Stafford).
• Independent Students (Annual Limits): Similar structure but higher amounts, e.g., first year up to $24,500 (Unsubsidized); aggregate $137,500 (Unsubsidized).
• For programs shorter than one academic year, limits are prorated based on length.
• Eligibility Definitions:
• Eligible Student: Enrolled in an eligible undergraduate flight program.
• Eligible Program: Undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree) accredited by the Department of Education, providing pilot training under FAA Part 141 regulations (structured flight training rules), aimed at commercial pilot certification. Excludes less formal Part 61 training.
• Initial eligibility based on meeting Higher Education Act requirements; after 3 years, programs must maintain a 70% completion rate (students finishing within 150-200% of normal time, including earning or possessing a private pilot certificate for single-engine airplanes).
• Data Collection and Reporting:
• Department of Education must annually collect data on enrollment, completion, demographics (gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status), and financial aid use in these programs.
• Completion rate calculation excludes certain groups (e.g., foreign nationals, transfers to other flight programs).
• Biennial reports to Congress assessing program effectiveness, student outcomes, and aid utilization.
• Loan Disclosures: Institutions must provide detailed information before disbursing loans to eligible students, including principal, interest rate, repayment terms, estimated balance, monthly payments, and total cost (including fees).
• GAO Review: Within 2 years of enactment, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on implementation, including participation numbers, demographics, loan usage, and recommendations for improvements.
• Funding: Authorizes $3 million annually from fiscal years 2025 through 2035 for the Department of Education to implement these changes.
• Rule of Construction: Does not alter existing federal laws on pilot training or qualifications.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Loan Limit Increases: Under the current Higher Education Act, standard undergraduate annual limits are $5,500-$7,500 (first year, dependent) up to $31,000 aggregate subsidized plus $57,500 unsubsidized. This bill substantially raises limits for flight programs (e.g., up to $20,500 first-year unsubsidized for dependents), treating them more like graduate-level borrowing.
• Program-Specific Requirements: Introduces flight training as a distinct category with tailored eligibility, including FAA consultation for definitions and a new 70% completion threshold after 3 years—unlike general undergraduate programs, which lack such aviation-focused metrics.
• Enhanced Oversight: Adds mandatory data collection, demographic reporting, and disclosures not previously required for these loans, promoting transparency and accountability.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Improves access to costly flight training (often $100,000+), enabling more students—especially from lower-income or underrepresented groups—to pursue aviation careers without relying solely on private loans or out-of-pocket funds. Could increase the supply of trained pilots, benefiting the aviation industry.
• On Government Agencies: Department of Education gains responsibilities for data collection, calculations, and reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload and costs (offset by authorized funds). Involves coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for program definitions. GAO's review may lead to future policy tweaks.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though excluding foreign nationals from completion rate calculations could indirectly affect international student enrollment in U.S. flight programs.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Students: Primary beneficiaries, particularly undergraduates seeking commercial pilot certification; independent students gain higher limits.
• Educational Institutions: Accredited colleges and universities offering flight programs must comply with data reporting and eligibility rules to access higher loans for students.
• Aviation Industry: Airlines and related employers may see a larger pool of qualified pilots.
• Government Entities: Department of Education (implementation and oversight); FAA (consultation on definitions); Congress (receives reports for ongoing evaluation).
• Borrowers and Lenders: Federal loan programs will handle increased volume, with enhanced disclosures aiding informed borrowing.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Amends Section 455 of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1087e) without conflicting with FAA regulations, preserving pilot certification standards. The prorated limits and completion metrics ensure fairness and program quality, potentially reducing default risks through data-driven eligibility.
• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with Congress's authority over federal spending and education policy under the Spending Clause.
• Political: Supports workforce development in a critical sector (aviation faces pilot shortages), appealing to bipartisan interests in economic growth and national infrastructure. Biennial reporting enables future adjustments, but the 10-year funding authorization signals long-term commitment without mandating new taxes.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-05-21: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Flight Education Access Act — issued 2025-05-21 — PDF (25 pages)