GI Bill & VA Benefits
ATP does not offer any flight training programs approved by the US Department of Veterans Affairs for education expenses covered under the Montgomery GI Bill. Though ATP is an FAA-approved 141 school, ATP conducts almost all training under FAR Part 61, making it ineligible for VA payment.
Even though the flight training included in ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program is not approved for VA reimbursement, in most cases ATP remains the best choice for students with VA benefits.
The VA reimburses up to 60 percent of the cost for approved flight training after your Private Pilot Certificate. When making your out-of-pocket expense comparison of flight schools make sure you consider the following.
VA Approved Courses
To be eligible to receive VA benefits for flight training, you must have your Private Pilot Certificate and be enrolled in a VA-approved course. Training for your Private Pilot Certificate is not covered because the private pilot certificate is not considered a "professional" certificate. The VA does not approve schools–it approves courses. For your commercial pilot's license, you will take three courses:
- Instrument Course
- Commercial Single-Engine Course
- Commerical Multi-Engine Course
Each course must be VA-approved. For your Flight Instructor Certificates, you will need to take three more courses, all of which must be VA-approved.
Do not assume that because a flight school advertises itself as VA-approved that you will be reimbursed for 60% of all the training there.
Flight instructor certificates and multi engine training are the most common courses that are not VA-approved at flight schools.
Professional Certification Exams
Government-required testing at ATP, like Written Tests and Examiner’s Fees can be 100% reimbursed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Airline Career Pilot Program includes 5 written tests, which can be reimbursed up to $450. In addition, designated pilot examiners' fees for 6 of the 7 checkrides qualify for VA reimbursement of approximately $2,150. ATP has forms that make requesting this reimbursement very easy.
Housing & Living Expenses
The VA does not reimburse housing and utility expenses at any school. ATP’s fixed price includes housing with utilities for students enrolled in the Fast Track Airline Career Pilot Program for the duration of the program. Many schools do not include housing costs in their price quotes. Schools that do include housing may provide housing only for a portion of your training. Make sure you add housing expenses to the out of pocket cost of other flight schools.
Advantages of ATP
Once you have determined your total out-of-pocket expense, consider the value of the benefits offered only by training with ATP:
- ATP graduates are a known quantity within the airline industry, which allows them access to reduced hiring minimums. Accelerated training combined with our reputation means our graduates are interviewing before their peers that attended other schools have even completed their flight training. What is a year of seniority at your regional airline worth?
- ATP offers our Airline Career Pilot Program at 20 training centers nationwide. Many of our students train without having to relocate. This can mean no moving expenses and the ability to keep a job while flight training.
- Training with ATP allows you to retain your VA benefits should you decide to pursue a college degree.
Where you train is a very important decision. Make sure yours is an informed one. Call 800-ALL-ATPS (800-255-2877) or email with the rest of your questions.
