There is no way around it. A career in aviation costs money, and the vast majority of students need financial aid.

You’ll be paying not only for your college courses, but for your flight training as well. We are continually seeking new ways to help students fund this program.

Here is what we have found works best:

Call us and be ready to take notes!

Jerry Bean
Program Director
Bend: 541-389-0854
beanj@mhcc.edu

 

Sarah Hannon
Gresham Site Coordinator:
Gresham: 503-491-7230
hannons@mhcc.edu

 

John Miller
Assistant Coordinator
Bend: 541-389-0854
millerjo@mhcc.edu

 

Apply for Federal Financial Aid

This is done through the FAFSA application; the FAFSA is designed to evaluate your eligibility for grants, scholarships or guaranteed student loans. It speeds up the application process if you complete the FAFSA electronically and submit the application online.

Please follow this link: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

1. When you submit the application, fill in the Mt Hood code, 003204, and specify that you are entering an Associate Degree transfer program. This form is usually submitted beginning Jan 1st through April 15th the calendar year you wish to enroll. For example, apply Jan 1st, 2004 for entry September ‘04.

    

2. You may apply for federal aid at any time, but certain funds are distributed on a first come, first served basis, and the early bird can get more money.
   

    

3. Your application will take from two weeks to several months to get processed, depending on when you file your form.

    

4. The earlier you apply for financial aid, the shorter the wait. Avoid at all costs applying for financial aid in August for a September program start. You may end up waiting several months for a reply.

    

5. After your application has been processed you'll receive a postcard from Mt. Hood with instructions on how to access and print your status letter, which explains what is needed to process your financial aid award.

    

6. If you have questions, you can call our Financial Aid Office at 503-491-7262. Have your Mt. Hood ID number or social security number ready when you call.

Federal financial Aid will not cover all the Program costs

To supplement the money you receive from Federal financial aid you may apply for a Key Bank Aviation Student Loan. This is a great loan, competitive with and patterned after student government loans. But if you have not established two years of credit history then you may need a co-signer.

 

It is not unusual to get turned down the first time and it is usually because you truly need a co-signer. If you are turned down you will receive a letter from Key Bank with a 1-800-customer service number on it. Call them and ask why you were turned down. They are glad to assist you in evaluating your qualifications and advise you on how to be successful in obtaining their loan.

 

Once you are in the system and established as a successful student you can borrow up to our program’s maximum costs, taking into account the financial aid you receive from the federal government.

 

Follow this link to Key Bank to get more information about our Aviation student loan: http://www.keybank.com

 

Start looking for scholarships and grants

Look for funds available outside of the FAFSA system. You can start by following this link: http://www.iflyamerica.com or by going to http://www.avscholars.com. Finding money for college is always a continuing process! The good news is that it is out there, but you must pursue it.