How the "One Big Beautiful Bill" helps students finance flight training

H. R. 1, signed into law on July 4th, 2025 is a sweeping 2025 reconciliation law that enacts broad tax and spending policy changes—including tax cuts, program funding revisions, raising the debt ceiling, and measures on healthcare, immigration, and defense.

Section 70414 of H. R. 1 has expanded the definition of qualified higher education expenses for 529 accounts

Section 70414 pertains specifically to rules that apply to using 529 accounts. A 529 account is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to help families set aside money for future education expenses, including tuition, fees, and certain vocational or technical training programs.

Before this bill was passed, flight training was not eligible for using 529 funding, leaving less options for students to fund flight training. This important change was facilitated through close collaboration with Congressman Mike Collins (R-GA) by members of the flight training industry, including the National Flight Training Association (NFTA) to expand the definition of qualified education expenses.

Here's what we can understand from the bill:

529 funds can now be used for recognized postsecondary credential programs, which includes a range of industry-recognized vocational training programs, not just traditional college degrees.
Flight training is eligible if the program meets one of the listed criteria (e.g., appears on a state WIOA list, is in the VA WEAMS directory, prepares students for a widely recognized industry exam, or is identified by the Secretary of Education/Labor as reputable).
This does not explicitly limit eligibility to Part 141 programs — but practically, those are more likely to already meet the recognition criteria. Flex Air is an approved FAA Part 141 flight school.

Let Flex Air help you understand your options to pay for flight training

At Flex Air, we’re committed to making flight training accessible. Our team can help you determine if your chosen program qualifies as a recognized postsecondary credential program under the new rules and guide you through using your 529 funds. Whether you’re an aspiring pilot or already enrolled, you can now use the savings you’ve worked hard to build to invest in your aviation career. Here are some other links to help ensure you know all of your options:

We can even offer a free Career Financing Session to help you understand the resources available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using a 529 Plan for Flight Training

1. What is a 529 plan?
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account that allows families to save for education expenses, including tuition, fees, and certain vocational or technical programs, with investment growth and withdrawals that are tax-free when used for qualified expenses.

2. What changed with the new law?
With the signing of HR1, Section 70414 expanded the list of eligible 529 expenses to include many recognized postsecondary credential programs. This opens the door for certain flight training programs to qualify, making it possible to use your 529 savings for pilot training.

3. Which flight training programs qualify?
A program must meet at least one of the federal criteria, such as:

Being on a state’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) approved list.
Being listed in the VA’s Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS).
Preparing students for a widely recognized industry exam.
Being identified by the U.S. Secretary of Education (in consultation with the Secretary of Labor) as reputable.

4. Does this mean all flight schools are eligible?
Not necessarily. While many Part 141 schools already meet approval requirements, some Part 61 programs could qualify if they are on the approved lists or meet other eligibility criteria. It’s important to verify before withdrawing funds.

5. How do I check if my program qualifies?
You can:

Search your state’s WIOA-approved training provider list.
Check the VA’s WEAMS public directory.
Ask your flight school if they meet the criteria for a recognized postsecondary credential program.

6. Can current students use their 529 funds?
Yes—if your program qualifies under the new rules, you can use existing 529 funds for remaining training costs. Any payments after the law went into effect on 4 July , 2025 qualify

7. How can Flex Air help me?

Flex Air can help you determine whether your chosen training program qualifies and guide you through the process of applying your 529 savings to your aviation education.

Here's Section 70414 from H. R. 1, pulled www.congress.gov:

SEC. 70414. CERTAIN POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIALING EXPENSES TREATED AS QUALIFIED HIGHER EDUCATION EXPENSES
FOR PURPOSES OF 529 ACCOUNTS.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 529(e)(3) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
‘‘(C) CERTAIN POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIALING EXPENSES.—The term ‘qualified higher education expenses’
includes qualified postsecondary credentialing expenses (as defined in subsection (f)).’’.
(b) QUALIFIED POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIALING EXPENSES.— Section 529 is amended by re-designating subsection (f) as subsection (g) and by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection: ‘‘(f) QUALIFIED POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIALING EXPENSES.— For purposes of this section—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘qualified postsecondary credentialing expenses’ means—
‘‘(A) tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for the enrollment or attendance of a designated beneficiary in a recognized postsecondary credential program, or any other expense incurred in connection with enrollment in or attendance at a recognized postsecondary credential program if such expense would, if incurred in connection with enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution, be covered under subsection (e)(3)(A),

‘‘(2) RECOGNIZED POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIAL PROGRAM.—
The term ‘recognized postsecondary credential program’ means any program to obtain a recognized postsecondary credential
if—

‘‘(A) such program is included on a State list prepared under section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(d)),
‘‘(B) such program is listed in the public directory of the Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) of the Veterans Benefits Administration, or successor directory such program,
‘(C) an examination (developed or administered by an organization widely recognized as providing reputable credentials in the occupation) is required to obtain or maintain such credential and such organization recognizes such program as providing training or education which prepares
individuals to take such examination, or
‘‘(D) such program is identified by the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, as being a reputable program for obtaining a recognized postsecondary credential for purposes of this subparagraph.

‘‘(3) RECOGNIZED POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIAL.—The term ‘recognized postsecondary credential’ means—
‘‘(A) any postsecondary employment credential that is industry recognized and is—
‘‘(i) any postsecondary employment credential issued by a program that is accredited by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, the National Commission on Certifying Agencies, or the American National Standards Institute,
‘‘(ii) any postsecondary employment credential that is included in the Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) directory of credentialing programs (or successor directory) maintained by the Department of Defense or by any branch of the Armed Forces, or
‘‘(iii) any postsecondary employment credential identified for purposes of this clause by the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, as being industry recognized,
‘‘(B) any certificate of completion of an apprenticeship that is registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ‘National Apprenticeship Act’; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.),
‘‘(C) any occupational or professional license issued or recognized by a State or the Federal Government (and any certification that satisfies a condition for obtaining such a license), and
‘‘(D) any recognized postsecondary credential as defined in section 3(52) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(52)), provided through a program described in paragraph (2)(A).’’.

How the "One Big Beautiful Bill" helps students finance flight training