Hoeven Secures $3 Million for Four Year Extension of UND Vets2Wings Program

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today highlighted the continuation of the University of North Dakota’s (UND) Vets2Wings program, as the university hosted a student luncheon welcoming a new cohort of participants. Hoeven secured $3 million for the program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations legislation to extend the program for four years. This effort builds on the $2.5 million Hoeven previously secured to establish the initiative in 2022. Vets2Wings expands flight training opportunities for veterans and National Guard members at UND by helping cover the gap for costs not included under the GI Bill and other benefits, like Federal Tuition Assistance. Administered through a partnership between UND and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the program supports efforts to address the nation’s pilot shortage. Since 2022, the program has supported over 92 students at UND. More than half of the program participants were Air National Guard members and non-traditional college students, earning more than 178 FAA certificates and ratings on their way towards a career in aviation. “As our country faces a shortage of commercial pilots, we created this program to support our veterans and National Guard members as they pursue careers in aviation,” said Hoeven. “By helping cover the cost of flight training, Vets2Wings provides a pathway for these individuals to become commercial airline pilots, strengthening our workforce and helping meet the nation’s aviation needs.” -###-