WINGS Act of 2026

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to broaden the scope of expenses considered in a student's **cost of attendance**. Specifically, it mandates the inclusion of reasonable costs associated with **licensure, certification, or aviation training** for students enrolled in qualifying aviation-related programs of study. These newly included costs cover items such as aviation laboratory fees, instructional hours in aircraft or simulators, training materials, and exam and licensing fees.

The legislation defines a **"qualifying aviation-related program of study"** as one leading to an associate's or bachelor's degree, identified by specific Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes or recognized by the Secretary of Education as preparing students for the aviation industry. Furthermore, the bill modifies the definition of a **"professional student"** to include individuals undertaking training described in Part 141 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, which pertains to pilot schools. These amendments are set to take effect for the 2027-2028 award year, aiming to enhance financial aid eligibility for aspiring aviation professionals.