Summary

Imposes a $100,000 cap (adjusted annually for inflation) on VA Post‑9/11 educational assistance payments that cover flight training at public institutions of higher learning. The cap and its yearly CPI increases apply only to veterans or other beneficiaries who first begin flight training on or after August 1, 2026. Also updates related benefit language so the new cap explicitly applies where other subsections reference flight training payments. The change limits total VA coverage for flight training fees and requires the VA Secretary to calculate and apply annual CPI adjustments.

• Establishes a $100,000 maximum total VA payment for flight training fees at public institutions.
• Requires annual upward adjustments to the cap based on the All‑Items U.S. City Average CPI (June 30 comparison).
• The cap applies only to individuals who begin flight training on or after August 1, 2026.
• Existing trainees who began before Aug 1, 2026 are not affected by the new cap.
• Adds conforming language so prior statutory references to flight training are subject to the new cap.
• Does not create a new appropriation; it limits benefit payments under an existing VA education program.
• Shifts some financial risk or cost exposure away from VA for high‑cost or lengthy flight training programs.
• Requires VA to calculate and apply CPI increases annually (administrative task for the agency).