Yes, you can use your 529 savings to become a pilot — and Flex Air is here to walk you through every step.
If you're a parent or student wondering whether your 529 College Savings Plan can help fund flight training, you're not alone. And here's the good news: the answer is yes — if you follow the right process and choose a qualifying program like the Career Pilot Pathway at Flex Air.
Let’s walk you through how to get your 529 plan to say “yes” — with step-by-step guidance, real examples, and insider tips from a flight school that helped shape the legislation itself.
Yes — if your training program meets one of two tests:
According to the IRS and the new law (Public Law 119-21, Sec. 70414), your 529 funds can now be used for certain postsecondary credentialing programs. That includes:
Training programs offered by institutions listed in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs WEAMS database
Programs that prepare students for a recognized industry credential or licensing exam
🧠 That second part is key — because even non-college programs (like flight schools!) are now eligible… if they prep you for an exam recognized by employers and the FAA.
At Flex Air, you have two pathways to qualify:
Listed in WEAMS — Facility code: 26000116
Found by searching “Flex Air” in the GI-Bill comparison tool
Meets 529 criteria as a VA-recognized postsecondary program
Prepares you for FAA-recognized industry exams, including:
Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)
Flight Instructor - Instrument (FII)
Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI)
Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) Practical Exams
Culminates in qualifications required for paid pilot employment
🛫 After completing these, graduates work as CFIs, gain flight hours, and typically progress to commercial pilot roles earning $90,000+ annually.
Here’s a simple walkthrough you can follow — and we’re happy to help at every step:
Call or email your 529 provider and ask:
“Can I use my funds for a flight training program that meets federal 529 eligibility under Public Law 119-21, Section 70414?”
We’ll provide:
Enrollment verification
Invoice showing training costs
Statement confirming credential-based eligibility (e.g. exams you’ll be prepared for)
Send the invoice and letter to your 529 provider. Ask them to confirm disbursement timeline and pay-to address.
Once approved, your 529 funds are sent directly to you or Flex Air according to your fund manager's rules. At Flex Air we can accommodate either approach.
⏱️ Notional timeline:
Approval process: 2–4 weeks
Funds disbursed: 7–10 business days after approval
It happens — but it’s usually because they aren’t familiar with the new rules. Here’s what to do:
Public Law 119-21, Section 70414: This section expands the definition of “qualified higher education expenses” to include credentialing programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials.
Even non-college programs qualify if they:
Appear in the VA’s WEAMS database (like Flex Air’s Part 141 at OJC), OR
Prepare you for a recognized industry exam (like Flex Air's Pilot Pathway or CFI Academy)
Request that your plan’s legal or compliance team review the eligibility tests outlined above.
And of course, contact the Flex Air support crew if you need a customized letter or explanation to help move things along.
529 plans are just one tool. At Flex Air, we offer a flexible stack of payment options, including:
Pilot Pathway loans
Covers the full $95,000–$115,000 program cost
Repayment terms designed for pilots on a training budget
Pay-As-You-Go or Monthly Plans
Combine with 529 funding to lower loan amounts
🔗 Learn more about financing your flight training
“Thanks for all your hard work on this, it's much appreciated!”
— Pilot Dad u/Fit_Ship_5689, Reddit
Flex Air's senior leadership are also board members at the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA), a non-profit advocacy organization that was instrumental in making these changes. Families across the country are making it happen — and you can too.
📜 Public Law 119-21 (see Section 70414)
Whether you’re starting fresh or switching careers, using your 529 plan at Flex Air is now a real, legal, and achievable path. We’re one of the few flight schools with the know-how to help — and we’re ready to support your journey every step of the way.
Need help getting started?
📩 Email support@goflexair.com or 📞 Contact us