Disabled veterans who are eligible for VA vocational rehabilitation could use that benefit to pursue flight training programs that don't lead to a college degree. Under current rules, the VA generally can't pay for non-degree flight courses, which shuts out veterans who want to become commercial or private pilots through certificate programs rather than a four-year aviation degree. This bill removes that restriction so veterans with service-connected disabilities can train at FAA-certified flight schools as part of their rehabilitation plan. The change takes effect August 1, 2025.
Congressional Summary
Authorizing Vocational and Instructional Aviation Training for Eligible Veterans Act of 2025 or the AVIATE Act of 2025This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to approve nondegree flight training courses for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities as part of the VA’s vocational rehabilitation programs under the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. Generally, the VR&E program provides job training and other employment-related services to veterans with service-connected disabilities, including long-term employment training courses.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-05-06
- Date Added
- 2026-03-30