U.S. Bill Would Open Student Loans for Aviation Degrees

U.S. student loans could become more accessible for aspiring pilots, aircraft mechanics, and air traffic controllers under a bipartisan House bill that would classify aviation degrees as professional degrees under federal policy.

The Workforce Innovation for Next-Gen in Skies (WINGS) Act was introduced by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) and co-sponsored by Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-New York) and Frederica Wilson (D-Florida). More than a dozen universities and several industry stakeholders have expressed support for the legislation.

“We thank Representatives Beatty, Stefanik and Wilson for recognizing that financial constraints are among the obstacles confronting those seeking careers in aviation,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “This legislation will help remove those barriers, ensuring talented individuals are able to complete the education and training needed to pursue rewarding vocations in an essential American industry.”

NBAA senior v-p of education, training and workforce development Jo Damato, previously identified the cost of aviation education as one of the greatest barriers to entry into aviation careers in testimony before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Aviation Subcommittee. Damato drew that conclusion from her service on the Department of Transportation’s Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force, which recommended developing financial support mechanisms of the kind reflected in the WINGS Act.