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H.R. 4149House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to the use of educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for flight training programs.

Sponsored by Brad R. WenstrupRep. Brad R. Wenstrup (R-OH)
Introduced October 26, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 6:44 PM UTC

The bill changes the rules for VA education benefits so that veterans who are studying a degree that requires flight training can get the help they need more easily. It updates how private‑pilot licenses are covered, lets veterans receive faster payments for flight‑training tuition, and clarifies what costs the VA will pay at public schools and through contract programs.

Key Provisions

  • Allows a veteran’s entitlement to cover private pilot licenses when the license is needed for the degree they are pursuing.
  • Creates an “accelerated payment” option where a veteran can receive twice the normal tuition amount each month, but each accelerated month counts as two months of benefit entitlement.
  • Requires veterans to receive VA educational counseling before choosing accelerated payments.
  • Specifies that the VA will not pay tuition or fees for flight‑training portions of a degree at public colleges; only the non‑flight portion is covered.
  • Defines which programs at public and non‑public schools (including those run under contracts with private entities) are considered flight‑training programs for benefit purposes.
  • Sets the changes to apply to new terms after the law’s enactment, with a two‑year delay for students already using benefits on qualifying flight‑training programs.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

October 26, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 26, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

October 26, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

October 26, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 26, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4149

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 26, 2017

Mr. Wenstrup introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to the use of educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for flight training programs.

1.

Improvements to assistance provided for certain flight training and other programs of education

(a)

Use of entitlement for private pilot’s licenses

Section 3034(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1) by striking the semicolon and inserting the following: and is required for the course of education being pursued (including with respect to a dual major, concentration, or other element a degree); and;

(2)

by striking paragraph (2); and

(3)

by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).

(b)

Accelerated payments for flight training

Section 3313 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(k)

Accelerated payments for certain flight training

(1)

Payments

An individual enrolled in a program of education pursued at an institution of higher learning in which flight training is required to earn the degree being pursued (including with respect to a dual major, concentration, or other element of such a degree) may elect to receive accelerated payments of amounts for tuition and fees determined under subsection (c). The amount of each accelerated payment shall be an amount equal to twice the amount for tuition and fee so determined under such subsection, but the total amount of such payments may not exceed the total amount of tuition and fees for the program of education. The amount of monthly stipends shall be determined in accordance with such subsection (c) and may not be accelerated under this paragraph.

(2)

Educational counseling

An individual may make an election under paragraph (1) only if the individual receives educational counseling under section 3697A(a) of this title.

(3)

Charge against entitlement

The number of months of entitlement charged an individual for accelerated payments made pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be determined at the rate of two months for each month in which such an accelerated payment is made.

.

(c)

Flight training at public institutions

Subsection (c)(1)(A) of such section 3313 is amended—

(1)

in clause (i)—

(A)

by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively;

(B)

by striking In the case of a program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning and inserting (I) Subject to subclause (II), in the case of a program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning not described in clause (ii)(II)(bb); and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new subclause:

(II)

In determining the actual net cost for in-State tuition and fees pursuant to subclause (I), the Secretary may not pay for tuition and fees relating to flight training.

; and

(2)

in clause (ii)—

(A)

in subclause (I), by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) as subitems (AA) and (BB), respectively;

(B)

in subclause (II), by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) as subitems (AA) and (BB), respectively;

(C)

by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively;

(D)

by striking In the case of a program of education pursued at a non-public or foreign institution of higher learning and inserting (I) In the case of a program of education described in subclause (II); and

(E)

by adding at the end the following new subclause:

(II)

A program of education described in this subclause is any of the following:

(aa)

A program of education pursued at a non-public or foreign institution of higher learning.

(bb)

A program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning in which flight training is required to earn the degree being pursued (including with respect to a dual major, concentration, or other element of such a degree).

.

(d)

Certain programs of education carried out under contract

Section 3313(c)(1)(A)(ii)(II) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (c)(2)(E), is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

(cc)

A program of education pursued at a public institution of higher learning in which the public institution of higher learning enters into a contract or agreement with an entity (other than another public institution of higher learning) to provide such program of education or a portion of such program of education.

.

(e)

Application

(1)

In general

Except as provided by paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Special rule for current students

In the case of an individual who, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, is using educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to pursue a course of education that includes a program of education described in item (bb) or (cc) of section 3313(c)(1)(A)(ii)(II) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsections (c) and (d), respectively, the amendment made by such subsection shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.