The "Flight Education Access Act" proposes to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, primarily by increasing the Federal student loan limits for students pursuing flight education and training programs. This legislation specifically targets Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, aiming to make the high cost of pilot training more manageable for aspiring aviators. It introduces new, higher annual and aggregate loan limits tailored to the unique financial demands of these specialized programs.

To qualify for these increased loan limits, students must be enrolled in an eligible undergraduate flight education and training program. Such programs must be offered by an accredited institution, award undergraduate certificates or degrees, and provide pilot training in accordance with FAA Part 141 regulations. Crucially, after an initial three-year data collection period, these programs will also need to demonstrate a completion rate of 70 percent or higher to maintain eligibility, ensuring accountability and program quality.

The bill establishes distinct loan limits based on a student's dependency status and academic progress. For instance, dependent students could see annual unsubsidized loan limits reach up to $32,500 in later years of their program, with an aggregate limit of $111,000. Independent students would have even higher limits, potentially borrowing up to $37,500 annually and an aggregate of $137,500. Federal Direct Stafford Loan limits are also increased, with an aggregate cap of $65,000.

Beyond loan increases, the Act mandates enhanced disclosures for students receiving these loans, detailing principal amounts, interest rates, estimated monthly payments, and total repayment costs. It also requires the Secretary of Education to collect extensive data on these programs, including student enrollment, persistence, completion rates, and demographic information. This data will be used to calculate program completion rates and will be reported biennially to Congress, providing transparency and allowing for ongoing assessment of the program's effectiveness.

Finally, the legislation includes a provision for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive review of the Act's implementation within two years of enactment, offering recommendations for improvement. To support these initiatives, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $3,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2035, ensuring dedicated funding for its provisions.