Funding Changes from the Department of Veterans Affairs: Measuring the Impact on Undergraduate Flight Student Career and Academic Goals

Abstract

Financial support for the education of veterans and their dependents has been a part of higher education since after the Second World War. This support is also essential to assist veterans in their transition from military to civilian careers. Periodically, funding for educational financial support from the VA comes under scrutiny from the public, Congress, and special interest groups. Recent criticism of excessive VA payments for veterans undertaking flight training at public institutions of higher education has resulted in multiple legislative proposals to limit (cap) or eliminate flight training funding. This article focuses on changes to potential student outcomes if either of these changes is implemented. Forty students currently receiving veteran benefits and enrolled in flight or flight-related degree programs at a four-year public institution were surveyed. Thirty-two percent of respondents would change to a non-flying major or leave college if funding was capped at the proposed level of $20,235. By comparison, 67 percent of respondents would change to a different major or drop out of school if funding for flight training was eliminated. The results of this survey have broad implications for the aviation industry. Public institutions offering flight training may be forced to scale back or close their programs. Furthermore, reducing financial support for flight training costs may cause future veterans to avoid undertaking flight training altogether. In the long term, this may have an adverse impact on the already challenged domestic pilot supply. Avenues for further investigation are proposed. Keywords: pilot supply, flight training, Veteran’s Affairs, educational funding, educational outcomes, completion rates.