H.R. 3530

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3530 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3530

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the Federal 
student loan limits for students in flight education and training 
programs.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 21, 2025

Mr. Davis of North Carolina (for himself and Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the Federal 
student loan limits for students in flight education and training 
programs.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Flight Education Access Act''.

SEC. 2. INCREASE IN FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN LIMITS FOR STUDENTS IN FLIGHT 
EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.

Section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e) 
is amended--
(1) in subsection (p)--
(A) by striking ``Each institution'' and inserting 
the following:
``(1) In general.--Each institution'';
(B) in paragraph (1) (as designated by subparagraph 
(A)), by inserting before the period at the end the 
following: ``and, shall, with respect to Federal Direct 
Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford 
Loans made after the date of enactment of the Flight 
Education Access Act to an eligible student (as defined 
in subsection (r)), comply with the requirements of 
paragraph (2)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Additional disclosures.--At or prior to the 
disbursement of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal 
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan after the date of enactment 
of the Flight Education Access Act to an eligible student (as 
defined in subsection (r)), the following shall be disclosed:
``(A) The principal amount of the loan, the stated 
interest rate on the loan, the number of required 
monthly payments to be made on the loan (which shall be 
based on a standard repayment plan), and the estimated 
number of months before the start of the repayment 
period for the loan (based on the expected date on 
which the repayment period is to begin or the deferment 
period is to end, as applicable).
``(B) The estimated balance to be owed by the 
borrower on such loan (including, if applicable, the 
estimated amount of interest to be capitalized) as of 
the scheduled date on which the repayment period is to 
begin or the deferment period is to end, as applicable, 
and an estimate of the projected monthly payment.
``(C) An estimate of the aggregate amount the 
borrower will pay for the loan, including the total 
amount of monthly payments made over the life of the 
loan plus the amount of any charges for the loan, such 
as an origination fee.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(r) Increase in Loan Limits for Students in Flight Education and 
Training Programs.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
this Act, the loan limits for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and 
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans made after the date 
of enactment of the Flight Education Access Act with respect to 
eligible students shall be subject to this subsection.
``(2) Definitions.--In this section:
``(A) Eligible student.--The term `eligible 
student' means a student who is enrolled in an eligible 
undergraduate flight education and training program.
``(B) Eligible undergraduate flight education and 
training program.--The term `eligible undergraduate 
flight education and training program' means an 
undergraduate flight education and training program 
that offers training for applicants seeking a 
commercial pilot certificate and--
``(i) during the period beginning on the 
date of enactment of the Flight Education 
Access Act and ending on the date on which 3 
years of data has been collected pursuant to 
paragraph (3)(D), that meets all the applicable 
requirements of this Act; and
``(ii) beginning on the date on which 3 
years of data has been collected pursuant to 
paragraph (3)(D), that meets all the applicable 
requirements of this Act and has a completion 
rate averaged over a 3-year period, as 
calculated under paragraph (3)(D) that is equal 
to or greater than 70 percent.
``(C) Undergraduate flight education and training 
program.--The term `undergraduate flight education and 
training program'--
``(i) has the meaning given the term by the 
Secretary, in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration;
``(ii) shall include a flight education and 
training program offered by an eligible 
institution that is accredited by an 
accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary, 
that--
``(I) awards undergraduate 
certificates or associate or bachelor 
degrees; and
``(II) provides pilot training in 
accordance with part 141 of title 14, 
Code of Federal Regulations, or any 
successor regulation; and
``(iii) shall not include a flight 
education and training program certified under 
part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations, or any successor regulation.
``(3) Loan limits for eligible undergraduate flight 
education and training programs.--
``(A) Limits for eligible students who are 
dependent students.--
``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual 
amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford 
Loans an eligible student who is a dependent 
student may borrow in any academic year (as 
defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent 
shall be--
``(I) in the case of an eligible 
student at an eligible institution who 
has not successfully completed the 
first year of an eligible undergraduate 
flight education and training program--
``(aa) $20,500, if such 
student is enrolled in such a 
program whose length is at 
least one academic year in 
length; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year;
``(II) in the case of an eligible 
student at an eligible institution who 
has successfully completed the first 
year of an eligible undergraduate 
flight education and training program 
but has not yet successfully completed 
the remainder of such program--
``(aa) $31,500; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year;
``(III) in the case of a student at 
an eligible institution who has 
successfully completed the first year 
and second years of an eligible 
undergraduate flight education and 
training program but has not yet 
successfully completed the remainder of 
such program--
``(aa) $32,500; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year; and
``(IV) in the case of a student at 
an eligible institution who has 
successfully completed the first, 
second, and third years of an eligible 
undergraduate flight education and 
training program but has not yet 
successfully completed the remainder of 
such program--
``(aa) $22,500; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year.
``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum 
aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized 
Stafford Loans an eligible student who is a 
dependent student may borrow shall be $111,000.
``(B) Limits for eligible students who are 
independent students.--
``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual 
amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford 
Loans an eligible student who is an independent 
student may borrow in any academic year (as 
defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent 
shall be--
``(I) in the case of an eligible 
student at an eligible institution who 
has not successfully completed the 
first year of an eligible undergraduate 
flight education and training program--
``(aa) $24,500, if such 
student is enrolled in such a 
program whose length is at 
least one academic year in 
length; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year;
``(II) in the case of an eligible 
student at an eligible institution who 
has successfully completed the first 
year of an eligible undergraduate 
flight education and training program 
but has not yet successfully completed 
the remainder of such program--
``(aa) $35,500; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year;
``(III) in the case of a student at 
an eligible institution who has 
successfully completed the first year 
and second years of an eligible 
undergraduate flight education and 
training program but has not yet 
successfully completed the remainder of 
such program--
``(aa) $37,500; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year; and
``(IV) in the case of a student at 
an eligible institution who has 
successfully completed the first, 
second, and third years of an eligible 
undergraduate flight education and 
training program but has not yet 
successfully completed the remainder of 
such program--
``(aa) $27,500; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year.
``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum 
aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized 
Stafford Loans an eligible student who is an 
independent student may borrow shall be 
$137,500.
``(C) Limits for eligible students receiving 
federal direct stafford loans.--
``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual 
amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loans an 
eligible student may borrow in any academic 
year (as defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its 
equivalent shall, subject to subsection (q)(1), 
be--
``(I) in the case of an eligible 
student at an eligible institution who 
has not successfully completed the 
first year of an eligible undergraduate 
flight education and training program--
``(aa) $11,000; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year;
``(II) in the case of an eligible 
student at an eligible institution who 
has successfully completed the first 
year of an eligible undergraduate 
flight education and training program 
but has not yet successfully completed 
the remainder of such program--
``(aa) $18,000; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year;
``(III) in the case of a student at 
an eligible institution who has 
successfully completed the first year 
and second years of an eligible 
undergraduate flight education and 
training program but has not yet 
successfully completed the remainder of 
such program--
``(aa) $19,000; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year; and
``(IV) in the case of a student at 
an eligible institution who has 
successfully completed the first, 
second, and third years of an eligible 
undergraduate flight education and 
training program but has not yet 
successfully completed the remainder of 
such program--
``(aa) $13,000; or
``(bb) if such student is 
enrolled in such a program that 
is less than one academic year, 
the maximum annual loan amount 
that such student may receive 
may not exceed the amount that 
bears the same ratio to the 
amount specified in item (aa) 
as the length of such program 
measured in semester, 
trimester, quarter, or clock 
hours bears to one academic 
year.
``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum 
aggregate amount of Federal Direct Stafford 
Loans an eligible student may borrow shall be 
$65,000.
``(D) Data collection on, and calculation of, 
completion rates.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
annually calculate the completion rate of each 
undergraduate flight education and training 
program at each eligible institution based on 
the information collected under clause (ii).
``(ii) Collection of information.--The 
Secretary shall annually collect information, 
for each academic year, on--
``(I) the total number of students 
enrolled in an undergraduate flight 
education and training program at an 
eligible institution; and
``(II) those students who complete 
such program--
``(aa) who earn a private 
pilot's certificate for an 
airplane category rating with a 
single-engine class rating 
while enrolled in such program; 
or
``(bb) who at the time of 
enrollment, possess such a 
certificate.
``(iii) Calculation of completion rate.--To 
calculate the completion rate described in 
clause (i), the Secretary shall--
``(I) consider as having completed, 
those students who earn a private 
pilot's certificate for an airplane 
category rating with a single-engine 
class rating, or who at the time of 
enrollment possess such a certificate, 
and complete the undergraduate flight 
education and training program at an 
eligible institution--
``(aa) that predominantly 
awards associate degrees, 
within 200 percent of the 
normal time for completion;
``(bb) that predominantly 
awards bachelor degrees, within 
150 percent of the normal time 
for completion; and
``(cc) that predominantly 
awards undergraduate 
certificates, within 200 
percent of the normal time for 
completion;
``(II) consider as not having 
completed, those students who earn a 
private pilot's certificate for an 
airplane category rating with a single-
engine class rating, or who at the time 
of enrollment possess such a 
certificate, and who transfer out of 
the undergraduate flight education and 
training program to another program at 
the eligible institution that is not an 
undergraduate flight education and 
training program or to a program that 
is not an undergraduate flight 
education and training program at 
another eligible institution; and
``(III) not include in the 
calculation, any student who--
``(aa) is a foreign 
national;
``(bb) earns a private 
pilot's certificate for an 
airplane category rating with a 
single-engine class rating and 
transfers out of the 
undergraduate flight education 
and training program to another 
undergraduate flight education 
and training program at a 
different eligible institution; 
or
``(cc) is enrolled in an 
undergraduate flight education 
and training program and never 
earns a private pilot's 
certificate for an airplane 
category rating with a single-
engine class rating.
``(E) Reporting requirements.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
require each undergraduate flight education and 
training program that enrolls students who 
receive assistance under this part to provide 
the data described in this subparagraph that is 
necessary for the completion of the reporting 
requirements described in this subparagraph.
``(ii) Form of data collection.--The 
Secretary shall prescribe the form and format 
of the data required to be provided under this 
subparagraph and include, at a minimum, the 
following data elements:
``(I) Student data elements 
necessary to calculate student 
enrollment, persistence, retention, 
transfer, and completion rates.
``(II) Information disaggregated by 
gender, race, ethnicity, and 
socioeconomic status.
``(iii) Report to congress.--Not later than 
9 months after the date of enactment of the 
Flight Education Access Act and biennially 
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce of the House of Representatives, and 
the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, 
analyzing and assessing the data collected 
pursuant to this subparagraph and conforming to 
the requirements of this subparagraph that 
shall include the following:
``(I) An assessment of the 
effectiveness of the requirements under 
this subsection.
``(II) Information on enrollment, 
persistence, retention, transfer, 
completion, utilization of Federal 
financial aid, and unmet financial 
need, including information on 
applicable institutions.
``(III) Information on the gender, 
race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic 
status of students enrolled in an 
undergraduate flight education and 
training program.''.

SEC. 3. GAO REPORT.

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) examine and review the implementation of this Act and 
the amendments made by this Act, which review shall include--
(A) the number of participating institutions 
offering undergraduate flight education and training 
programs (as defined in section 455(r) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(r)), as amended 
by this Act);
(B) the number of students enrolled in such 
undergraduate flight education and training programs, 
and demographic data regarding such students;
(C) the level of such students' participation in 
the loan program under part D of title IV of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.), 
including demographic data as appropriate; and
(D) feedback from participating institutions 
regarding the implementation of this Act and the 
amendments made by this Act;
(2) develop recommendations to the Department of Education 
on any changes that should be made to improve the 
implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act; 
and
(3) prepare and submit a report on the findings and 
recommendations under paragraphs (1) and (2) to--
(A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Education and Workforce and 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives.

SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be 
construed to repeal, amend, supersede, or affect any pilot training or 
qualification provision under existing law.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Education, in addition to any amounts otherwise available, to carry out 
the amendments made by this Act $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2025 through 2035. Such funds shall be available until expended.
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