Does the GI Bill® cover aircraft mechanic or A&P school?
- Page last updated October 24, 2026
- VA data retrieved October 24, 2026 (Comparison Tool data version 1522)
Quick answer
Yes, if the program is approved for VA education benefits. Aviation maintenance and A&P programs are non-college degree or OJT paths when approved. Confirm the exact program on VA's Comparison Tool. VA's data lists 279 approved aircraft mechanic locations, listed below. [VA: Non-college degree programs] [VA: GI Bill Comparison Tool]
What the GI Bill pays for aircraft mechanic school
These are VA's current Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) figures. VA scales tuition and housing to your eligibility percentage, which depends on how long you served.
- Tuition and fees go directly to the school, up to the cap above. [VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill rates]
- Monthly housing allowance (MHA) is paid to you if you train at more than half time and are not on active duty. How MHA works. [VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill rates]
- Montgomery GI Bill users get a flat monthly payment instead, for example $2,601.00 a month full time at the 3-year rate from Oct 1, 2026. Compare the two. [VA: Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty rates]
- Licensing and certification tests: if the test is approved, VA pays you back for the fee, up to $2,000 per test. [VA: Licensing and certification tests]
Things to know about aircraft mechanic training
- Most school programs here are non-college degree certificates and diplomas aimed at FAA mechanic (airframe and/or powerplant) or related aviation maintenance work.
- Employer and military-to-civilian on-the-job training listings let you earn wages while the GI Bill pays a monthly housing payment. [VA: On-the-job training and apprenticeships]
- If a licensing or certification test is approved for the GI Bill, VA can pay you back for the fee, up to $2,000 per test. [VA: Licensing and certification tests]
How to use your GI Bill for aircraft mechanic school
Check your eligibility
Apply for education benefits on VA.gov to get your Certificate of Eligibility. [VA: How to apply for education benefits]
Pick an approved program
Use the list below, then open the program's VA profile in the Comparison Tool. Approval is for specific programs. [VA: GI Bill Comparison Tool]
Read the caution flags
VA flags issues such as accreditation problems or Heightened Cash Monitoring. We show them in VA's wording.
Talk to the certifying official
The School Certifying Official reports your enrollment to VA. Confirm the start date and program before you sign anything. [VA: Choosing a GI Bill approved school]
Approved aircraft mechanic programs
As of October 24, 2026, VA's data lists 279 aircraft mechanic training locations in 48 states and territories: 216 with school programs and 63 with apprenticeship or OJT. The most locations are in Texas (27), Florida (24), Georgia (24), California (21), North Carolina (11).
By type: 134 public colleges and technical schools, 63 employers and apprenticeship sponsors, 45 private nonprofit schools, 37 for-profit schools. The most common program titles in VA's data are “Aviation Maintenance Technician” (17), “Aviation Maintenance Technology” (14), “Aircraft Mechanic” (12).
Search all 279 aircraft mechanic locations →
Or go straight to a state:
- Alabama (5)
- Arizona (9)
- Arkansas (5)
- California (21)
- Florida (24)
- Georgia (24)
- Illinois (10)
- Indiana (5)
- Kentucky (7)
- Louisiana (6)
- Massachusetts (6)
- Michigan (5)
- Missouri (5)
- New York (7)
- North Carolina (11)
- Ohio (6)
- Oklahoma (9)
- Pennsylvania (5)
- South Carolina (6)
- Tennessee (5)
- Texas (27)
- Virginia (7)
- Washington (7)
Common questions
Will the GI Bill pay for aircraft mechanic (A&P) school?
Yes, if the aviation maintenance program is approved for VA benefits. Most are non-college degree programs. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays net tuition and mandatory fees up to $30,908.34 per academic year (Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027), scaled to your eligibility percentage. Confirm the exact program on VA's Comparison Tool.
[VA: Non-college degree programs] [VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill rates] [VA: GI Bill Comparison Tool]
Can I use the GI Bill for an aviation maintenance apprenticeship?
Yes, if the employer's on-the-job training or apprenticeship program is approved. You earn wages, and VA pays a monthly benefit that steps down every six months under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
[VA: On-the-job training and apprenticeships] [VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill rates]
Does the GI Bill cover FAA mechanic certification tests?
If the specific licensing or certification test is approved for the GI Bill, VA pays you back for the fee, up to $2,000 per test, and charges your entitlement based on the amount paid.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Non-college degree programs” (page last updated December 13, 2024). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “On-the-job training and apprenticeships” (page last updated February 4, 2025). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Post-9/11 GI Bill rates (Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027)” (page last updated October 13, 2026). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) rates (Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027)”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Licensing and certification tests and prep courses” (page last updated October 23, 2026). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “GI Bill Comparison Tool”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Choosing a GI Bill approved school”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.