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U.S. taxpayers stuck with the tab as helicopter flight schools exploit GI Bill loophole
For some flight schools that train helicopter pilots, the GI Bill that took effect in 2009 was a windfall the government never intended. At one flight company, records show 12 veterans whose training had cost the government more than $500,000 each. As long as the money flows through a public institution, there is no limit on what the VA will pay for flight training. (www.latimes.com) Plus d'info...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
As a former owner of a successful helicopter charter and training company that existed well before this latest Fed boondoggle, and as a former Army Captain and as a West Point graduate, I'm shocked at a few of the comments here. There seems to be two trains of thought: (1) better to spend it on the vets than have the Feds spend it frivolously somewhere else, and (2) these vets deserve all of this for their service. First, how about, "don't spend it frivolously ANYWHERE?" Bad behavior on the part of these schools is not justified because the government wastes money elsewhere. These bills are outrageous. Let them get most of their hours in an R-22, not a turbine. We turned out new commercial pilots for a fraction of the costs mentioned here, mainly because our students didn't have an unlimited bank account. Second, I agree we have an obligation to these vets, but not at any price. If you really think we owe this kind of money, how about you sell all your worldly possessions and donate the proceeds to the USO or VFW? It sure is easy to spend other people's money, eh? I don't even agree that this is the best use of the money: maybe this money should be going to the VA for PTSD care instead of giving a guy maybe a 40% chance of getting a job as a helicopter pilot. But if we want to fund flight training, simply give these trainees a maximum budget that is reasonable. Through their greed, these schools are harming America. It may be a pinprick to the federal government, but all of these ridiculous Fed expenditures add up.
The Ivy League schools have been doing this for years with the "Easy Money" that Govt Student Loans provide. Then the Govt "forgives" the loans and the taxpayers end up with a mush-brained feel-good basket weaver that not only skipped out on serving his country but is now unemployed or carrying a picket sign.
The schools are gigantic and the "Professors" are getting rich with pensions that exceed a 4-Star General's highest active duty pay.
There is nothing to see here until Student Loans are clamped down and Liberal Arts Professors are paid equivalent to that of a Veteran who actually offered his life to his country.
The schools are gigantic and the "Professors" are getting rich with pensions that exceed a 4-Star General's highest active duty pay.
There is nothing to see here until Student Loans are clamped down and Liberal Arts Professors are paid equivalent to that of a Veteran who actually offered his life to his country.
Citation, please? Student loans normally survive bankruptcy. You normally either die or pay them back. Here are the rules for the Federal loans:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
As a parent of a non-ivy college student facing expenses that are in no way "easy," I'm disappointed to see an anti-education screed on this site.
https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
As a parent of a non-ivy college student facing expenses that are in no way "easy," I'm disappointed to see an anti-education screed on this site.
What? You don't know how to Google?
Here, I'll get you started:
https://www.google.com/search?q=student+loan+forgiveness&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
http://plans.studentloanproject.us/programs/2015.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw0q2pBRC3jrb24JjE8VgSJAAyIzAdYhFpvw0kBYdoC20qiBFJBjPr4X8PhECztFVU3kRTFhoCxc3w_wcB#
http://www.studentloanforgivenessplans.org/?gclid=CjwKEAjw0q2pBRC3jrb24JjE8VgSJAAyIzAd13Iu-PyWPze70Up_UqwW3_LWQf3NyKQm50_ey-87wRoCqxvw_wcB
The point is you shouldn't have to die paying back your education costs which are so exorbitant because the schools CHARGE so much because the Government provides EASY access to money to young people that should not be BORROWING that kind of money anyway.
The schools and "Proffs" are lining their pockets with government money while strapping young people with incomprehensible DEBT.
The result is the students (and their parents) don't work to pay for their education up front. They work so that they can spend their Spring Break in the Bahamas out of their mind on anything that will screw up their brain. Not to mention the seeds they sow for a few months of abortions - again at Government expense.
You are WRONG. We are not an "Anti-Education Creed". Nobody said the Education "Costs" were easy - that was my point. They are outrageous just like these Helicopter schools. But when the government offers them Easy Funding through Legal Loopholes We the Taxpayers need to stand up call FOUL.
And as others have stated here, we are not against Veteran's Education Benefits. I achieved my degree with the "help" of the old GI Bill. While serving my country 1 semester hour at a time as I could afford my contribution. I have no debt and I have no memories of the scantily clad girls in the Bahamas either. Saigon maybe.
My son achieved his degree in an APPROPRIATE University and has no debt also because he worked his way through to supplement my contribution so that he can provide you with colorful and interesting TV commercials. The only Government "Program" he used or needed was his Veteran Dad.
Again, the issue here is the greedy schools jacking up their prices because the government allows it. And that is because they are spending Somebody Else's Money.
Here, I'll get you started:
https://www.google.com/search?q=student+loan+forgiveness&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
http://plans.studentloanproject.us/programs/2015.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw0q2pBRC3jrb24JjE8VgSJAAyIzAdYhFpvw0kBYdoC20qiBFJBjPr4X8PhECztFVU3kRTFhoCxc3w_wcB#
http://www.studentloanforgivenessplans.org/?gclid=CjwKEAjw0q2pBRC3jrb24JjE8VgSJAAyIzAd13Iu-PyWPze70Up_UqwW3_LWQf3NyKQm50_ey-87wRoCqxvw_wcB
The point is you shouldn't have to die paying back your education costs which are so exorbitant because the schools CHARGE so much because the Government provides EASY access to money to young people that should not be BORROWING that kind of money anyway.
The schools and "Proffs" are lining their pockets with government money while strapping young people with incomprehensible DEBT.
The result is the students (and their parents) don't work to pay for their education up front. They work so that they can spend their Spring Break in the Bahamas out of their mind on anything that will screw up their brain. Not to mention the seeds they sow for a few months of abortions - again at Government expense.
You are WRONG. We are not an "Anti-Education Creed". Nobody said the Education "Costs" were easy - that was my point. They are outrageous just like these Helicopter schools. But when the government offers them Easy Funding through Legal Loopholes We the Taxpayers need to stand up call FOUL.
And as others have stated here, we are not against Veteran's Education Benefits. I achieved my degree with the "help" of the old GI Bill. While serving my country 1 semester hour at a time as I could afford my contribution. I have no debt and I have no memories of the scantily clad girls in the Bahamas either. Saigon maybe.
My son achieved his degree in an APPROPRIATE University and has no debt also because he worked his way through to supplement my contribution so that he can provide you with colorful and interesting TV commercials. The only Government "Program" he used or needed was his Veteran Dad.
Again, the issue here is the greedy schools jacking up their prices because the government allows it. And that is because they are spending Somebody Else's Money.
I agree with you a hundred. As I said above a large % are only in college because of easy money and should they actually receive a degree it won't do them any good when the boss figures out they are just an educated dumbass. Agree all the schools are lining their pockets. That said, I wonder if this was really a "loophole" or a plan?
Well said Dan. The saddest part is that its not just the Ivy League.
Exactly right. About half the students who get these loans no more belong in college than I do in astronaut school.