WINGS Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would let colleges include aviation licensure, certification, and flight training costs in a student’s cost of attendance. It narrows which programs qualify and updates who counts as a professional student for aviation training.
Show full summary
- Aviation students and families: Would allow financial aid formulas to cover reasonable aviation-related costs like aviation lab fees, aircraft or simulator instructional hours, ground instruction, training materials and equipment, exam and licensing fees, and other direct training fees.
- Colleges and programs: Would limit eligible programs to certain Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes starting with 49.01 or the specific codes 47.0607, 47.0608, and 47.0609, or programs the Secretary identifies. Only associate and bachelor degree programs are included and the change would take effect July 1, 2027 for award year 2027–2028 and later.
- Professional aviation students: Would broaden professional-student eligibility so a program qualifies if it awards a professional degree under federal rules or provides training under FAA Part 141.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More help for aviation students
If enacted, your school would be able to include reasonable aviation training costs in your cost of attendance starting July 1, 2027 (award year 2027-2028). This applies only if you are in a qualifying aviation associate's or bachelor's program. Qualifying programs have CIP codes starting with 49.01, have codes 47.0607, 47.0608, or 47.0609, or are identified by the Secretary. Covered costs include aviation lab training fees; instructional hours in an aircraft or simulator or ground instruction; training materials and equipment; exam and licensing fees including practical test costs; and other fees directly incurred for aviation training. Your school would decide what counts as a "reasonable" cost.
New rules for professional students
If enacted, a program would count as a "professional-student" program for federal student aid if it meets one of two tests. First, the program would award a professional degree as defined in 34 C.F.R. §668.2 as of the date of enactment. Second, the program would provide the training described in FAA Part 141 of 14 C.F.R., or any successor rules. This change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
NY • R
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
FL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
NE • R
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
OH • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
AZ • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
AL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov