May 21, 2025
Mr. Davis of North Carolina (for himself and Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the Federal student loan limits for students in flight education and training programs.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Flight Education Access Act
.
Sec. 2. Increase in Federal student loan limits for students in flight education and training programs
Section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (p)—
(A)
by striking Each institution
and inserting the following:
(1) In general
Each institution;
(B)
in paragraph (1) (as designated by subparagraph (A)), by inserting before the period at the end the following: and, shall, with respect to Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans made after the date of enactment of the Flight Education Access Act to an eligible student (as defined in subsection (r)), comply with the requirements of paragraph (2)
; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(2) Additional disclosures
At or prior to the disbursement of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan after the date of enactment of the Flight Education Access Act to an eligible student (as defined in subsection (r)), the following shall be disclosed:
(A)
The principal amount of the loan, the stated interest rate on the loan, the number of required monthly payments to be made on the loan (which shall be based on a standard repayment plan), and the estimated number of months before the start of the repayment period for the loan (based on the expected date on which the repayment period is to begin or the deferment period is to end, as applicable).
(B)
The estimated balance to be owed by the borrower on such loan (including, if applicable, the estimated amount of interest to be capitalized) as of the scheduled date on which the repayment period is to begin or the deferment period is to end, as applicable, and an estimate of the projected monthly payment.
(C)
An estimate of the aggregate amount the borrower will pay for the loan, including the total amount of monthly payments made over the life of the loan plus the amount of any charges for the loan, such as an origination fee.; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(r) Increase in loan limits for students in flight education and training programs
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the loan limits for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans made after the date of enactment of the Flight Education Access Act with respect to eligible students shall be subject to this subsection.
(2) Definitions
In this section:
(A) Eligible student
The term eligible student means a student who is enrolled in an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program.
(B) Eligible undergraduate flight education and training program
The term eligible undergraduate flight education and training program means an undergraduate flight education and training program that offers training for applicants seeking a commercial pilot certificate and—
(i)
during the period beginning on the date of enactment of the Flight Education Access Act and ending on the date on which 3 years of data has been collected pursuant to paragraph (3)(D), that meets all the applicable requirements of this Act; and
(ii)
beginning on the date on which 3 years of data has been collected pursuant to paragraph (3)(D), that meets all the applicable requirements of this Act and has a completion rate averaged over a 3-year period, as calculated under paragraph (3)(D) that is equal to or greater than 70 percent.
(C) Undergraduate flight education and training program
The term undergraduate flight education and training program—
(i)
has the meaning given the term by the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration;
(ii)
shall include a flight education and training program offered by an eligible institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary, that—
(I)
awards undergraduate certificates or associate or bachelor degrees; and
(II)
provides pilot training in accordance with part 141 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; and
(iii)
shall not include a flight education and training program certified under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
(3) Loan limits for eligible undergraduate flight education and training programs
(A) Limits for eligible students who are dependent students
(i) Annual limits
The maximum annual amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans an eligible student who is a dependent student may borrow in any academic year (as defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent shall be—
(I)
in the case of an eligible student at an eligible institution who has not successfully completed the first year of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program—
(aa)
$20,500, if such student is enrolled in such a program whose length is at least one academic year in length; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year;
(II)
in the case of an eligible student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed the first year of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program but has not yet successfully completed the remainder of such program—
(aa)
$31,500; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year;
(III)
in the case of a student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed the first year and second years of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program but has not yet successfully completed the remainder of such program—
(aa)
$32,500; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year; and
(IV)
in the case of a student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed the first, second, and third years of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program but has not yet successfully completed the remainder of such program—
(aa)
$22,500; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year.
(ii) Aggregate limits
The maximum aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans an eligible student who is a dependent student may borrow shall be $111,000.
(B) Limits for eligible students who are independent students
(i) Annual limits
The maximum annual amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans an eligible student who is an independent student may borrow in any academic year (as defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent shall be—
(I)
in the case of an eligible student at an eligible institution who has not successfully completed the first year of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program—
(aa)
$24,500, if such student is enrolled in such a program whose length is at least one academic year in length; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year;
(II)
in the case of an eligible student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed the first year of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program but has not yet successfully completed the remainder of such program—
(aa)
$35,500; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year;
(III)
in the case of a student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed the first year and second years of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program but has not yet successfully completed the remainder of such program—
(aa)
$37,500; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year; and
(IV)
in the case of a student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed the first, second, and third years of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program but has not yet successfully completed the remainder of such program—
(aa)
$27,500; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year.
(ii) Aggregate limits
The maximum aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans an eligible student who is an independent student may borrow shall be $137,500.
(C) Limits for eligible students receiving federal direct stafford loans
(i) Annual limits
The maximum annual amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loans an eligible student may borrow in any academic year (as defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent shall, subject to subsection (q)(1), be—
(I)
in the case of an eligible student at an eligible institution who has not successfully completed the first year of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program—
(aa)
$11,000; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year;
(II)
in the case of an eligible student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed the first year of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program but has not yet successfully completed the remainder of such program—
(aa)
$18,000; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year;
(III)
in the case of a student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed the first year and second years of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program but has not yet successfully completed the remainder of such program—
(aa)
$19,000; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year; and
(IV)
in the case of a student at an eligible institution who has successfully completed the first, second, and third years of an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program but has not yet successfully completed the remainder of such program—
(aa)
$13,000; or
(bb)
if such student is enrolled in such a program that is less than one academic year, the maximum annual loan amount that such student may receive may not exceed the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount specified in item (aa) as the length of such program measured in semester, trimester, quarter, or clock hours bears to one academic year.
(ii) Aggregate limits
The maximum aggregate amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loans an eligible student may borrow shall be $65,000.
(D) Data collection on, and calculation of, completion rates
(i) In general
The Secretary shall annually calculate the completion rate of each undergraduate flight education and training program at each eligible institution based on the information collected under clause (ii).
(ii) Collection of information
The Secretary shall annually collect information, for each academic year, on—
(I)
the total number of students enrolled in an undergraduate flight education and training program at an eligible institution; and
(II)
those students who complete such program—
(aa)
who earn a private pilot’s certificate for an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating while enrolled in such program; or
(bb)
who at the time of enrollment, possess such a certificate.
(iii) Calculation of completion rate
To calculate the completion rate described in clause (i), the Secretary shall—
(I)
consider as having completed, those students who earn a private pilot’s certificate for an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating, or who at the time of enrollment possess such a certificate, and complete the undergraduate flight education and training program at an eligible institution—
(aa)
that predominantly awards associate degrees, within 200 percent of the normal time for completion;
(bb)
that predominantly awards bachelor degrees, within 150 percent of the normal time for completion; and
(cc)
that predominantly awards undergraduate certificates, within 200 percent of the normal time for completion;
(II)
consider as not having completed, those students who earn a private pilot’s certificate for an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating, or who at the time of enrollment possess such a certificate, and who transfer out of the undergraduate flight education and training program to another program at the eligible institution that is not an undergraduate flight education and training program or to a program that is not an undergraduate flight education and training program at another eligible institution; and
(III)
not include in the calculation, any student who—
(aa)
is a foreign national;
(bb)
earns a private pilot’s certificate for an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating and transfers out of the undergraduate flight education and training program to another undergraduate flight education and training program at a different eligible institution; or
(cc)
is enrolled in an undergraduate flight education and training program and never earns a private pilot’s certificate for an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating.
(E) Reporting requirements
(i) In general
The Secretary shall require each undergraduate flight education and training program that enrolls students who receive assistance under this part to provide the data described in this subparagraph that is necessary for the completion of the reporting requirements described in this subparagraph.
(ii) Form of data collection
The Secretary shall prescribe the form and format of the data required to be provided under this subparagraph and include, at a minimum, the following data elements:
(I)
Student data elements necessary to calculate student enrollment, persistence, retention, transfer, and completion rates.
(II)
Information disaggregated by gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
(iii) Report to Congress
Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of the Flight Education Access Act and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, analyzing and assessing the data collected pursuant to this subparagraph and conforming to the requirements of this subparagraph that shall include the following:
(I)
An assessment of the effectiveness of the requirements under this subsection.
(II)
Information on enrollment, persistence, retention, transfer, completion, utilization of Federal financial aid, and unmet financial need, including information on applicable institutions.
(III)
Information on the gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status of students enrolled in an undergraduate flight education and training program.
Sec. 3. GAO report
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall—
(1)
examine and review the implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, which review shall include—
(A)
the number of participating institutions offering undergraduate flight education and training programs (as defined in section 455(r) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(r)), as amended by this Act);
(B)
the number of students enrolled in such undergraduate flight education and training programs, and demographic data regarding such students;
(C)
the level of such students' participation in the loan program under part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.), including demographic data as appropriate; and
(D)
feedback from participating institutions regarding the implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act;
(2)
develop recommendations to the Department of Education on any changes that should be made to improve the implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act; and
(3)
prepare and submit a report on the findings and recommendations under paragraphs (1) and (2) to—
(A)
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
(B)
the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 4. Rule of construction
Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to repeal, amend, supersede, or affect any pilot training or qualification provision under existing law.
Sec. 5. Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Education, in addition to any amounts otherwise available, to carry out the amendments made by this Act $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2035. Such funds shall be available until expended.