AVIATE Act of 2025

The AVIATE Act of 2025 would amend the law governing the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (VR&E) to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve a rehabilitation program that includes non-degree flight training. In practical terms, this means VA could fund or otherwise approve flight training courses that are not tied to earning a degree from a college or university. This expands the pool of aviation-related training options available to veterans with service-connected disabilities, beyond only degree-credit programs at higher education institutions. The change overrides certain existing limitations (specifically referencing a provision in 3680A(b)) and applies to programs approved on or after August 1, 2025. The bill is introduced in the Senate (S. 1614) and has not yet become law.