Consumer Information

Mauna Loa Helicopters and Mauna Loa Aero have been monitoring the cost of aviation fuel very carefully. Fuel prices have been increasing rapidly since 2021, inflation is at a 40-year high and all of Mauna Loa’s supply chains have been adversely affected. Since January 1, 2022 the cost of fuel has increased by $2.83 per gallon in Kona and $2.88 per gallon in Honolulu. To put that price change in perspective for the average R22 and R44, that’s a cost increase of $25.44 and $42.40 per hour of operation.

Mauna Loa has been absorbing the increases in operating costs since our last rate increase in October of 2021. We now find, that to continue to provide the quality training our students expect, a price increase is necessary.

Mauna Loa Helicopters has decided to implement an hourly fuel surcharge rather than a permanent rate increase. Fuel prices will be monitored weekly and for full transparency, the calculation of the fuel surcharge will be posted at the school. Fuel prices will be reviewed each Tuesday (Air Service price changes are made each Tuesday) and the fuel surcharge per hour will be updated in FBO each Wednesday.

Should the volatility of fuel prices stabilize, Mauna Loa Helicopters and Mauna Loa Aero will set a new baseline rental price for all aircraft and remove the fuel surcharge.

We believe this is the fairest and most transparent way to address the increase and current volatility in fuel prices.

We appreciate your business and thank you for training with Mauna Loa.

Example of weekly notice:

Graduation and Job Placement Rates

Below are some important rates, as prescribed by the SRKCS and 34 CFR § 668.6(b). All data is taken from the 2023-2024 enrollment period and include only full-time students in the Professional Pilot Program.

• Full-time Graduation Rate: 92%
• Full-time Job Placement Rate for Graduates: 92%
• Part-time Graduation Rate: 80%
• Part-time Job Placement Rate for Graduates: 88%
• Graduation overall rate: 92%
• Placement overall rate: 100%

Job Placement for Graduates

At MLH, we’re passionate about helping our students learn how to fly, and we focus on achieving two main goals:

• Training students how to be the most knowledgeable, safe and sought-after pilots in the aviation industry.
• Helping MLH graduates find work and succeed in the industry

MLH maintains an excellent employment rate for their students after graduation. Hear what our alumni have to say over at the Mauna Loa alumni page.

While MLH offers no formal job placement for students, we do everything in our power to assist our instructors in finding their first jobs in the industry. Immediately after graduation we have had great success in assisting their placement in exciting industries throughout the world.

Graduation Rate and Transfer-out Rate for Students Receiving Athletically Related Student Aid

Not applicable.

Program name: Professional Pilot Program
Updated for 2024

This program is designed to be completed in 12-18 months. This program will cost $98,000.00–$110,000 if completed within the normal timeline. There may be additional costs for living expenses, books, headsets, written tests, check ride fees, etc.

These costs were accurate at the time of posting but may have changed.

Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with $ 98,871.54 of debt.

The program meets licensure requirements in the following States: Hawaii

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please visit collegescorecard.ed.gov.

As required by the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, MLH encourages those meeting voter registration guidelines to register to vote and participate in the democratic process for all federal and state elections.

Voter registration qualifications include:
• 17 1/2 years of age register; 18 years of age to vote
• U.S. citizen
• Hawaii Resident

Voter registration forms may be found at:
http://hawaii.gov/elections/voters/registration.htm

Unlike grants or work-study, a loan is money that must be repaid. You, the student borrower, are legally obligated to repay your loans so we encourage you to fully read and understand the terms and conditions before accepting a loan. Please note: You must repay your loans even if you do not complete your program.

The minimum requirements for obtaining a federal loan are a completed FAFSA application, admission into a degree-seeking program, and at least half-time enrollment. At MLH, we encourage students to make informed decisions when taking out a student loan. Only borrow the amount of funds that you need to successfully complete your education.

Federal Loans to Parents

If a dependent student needs funds to meet their estimated cost of attendance, parents can request a Parent Plus Loan to cover remaining educational expenses. Parents must contact MLH to find out about how to apply for a Parent Plus Loan.

A loan is money that must be repaid. You, the parent, are legally obligated to repay your loans so we encourage parents to fully read and understand the terms and conditions before accepting a loan. Please note: You are responsible to repay your parent loans even if your student does not complete their program.

Master Promissory Note

A valid Master Promissory Note (MPN) needs to be established before any Federal loans are disbursed to the student’s account. As defined by the USDE, the MPN is a “legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s), any accrued interest and fees to the USDE. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s).

It is important to understand that Direct LoansSM are just that: loans. It’s highly important these loans be paid back after graduation. MLH encourages each student to visit the United States Department of Education (USDE) website at www.StudentLoans.gov to complete the MPN and Entrance/Exit counseling sessions. The U.S. Department of Education further advises the MPN must be signed in one session and take 30 minutes to complete.

Initial Loan Counseling for Student Borrowers

Federal regulations mandate that all Direct Loan borrowers receive Entrance Counseling before their loan can be processed. This requirement can be fulfilled by either completing the entrance counseling on the VFAO website, or by doing the on-line counseling available on the Direct Loan website at www.dl.ed.gov. Failure to attend an entrance counseling session or perform the on-line counseling will result in the cancelation of the loan. The student will be responsible for the outstanding tuition balance.

Per the DOE website:
Entrance Counseling will walk you through the Direct Loan process and explain your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. All first time Direct Loan borrowers must complete entrance counseling before their loans can be disbursed.
In this process, you will learn about the following:

1. Direct LoansSM
2. Managing your educational expenses
3. Other financial resources to consider that may help pay for your education
4. Your rights and responsibilities as a borrower
Subsidized and Unsubsidized

There are two main types of Stafford Direct LoansSM: subsidized and unsubsidized. A student with a subsidized loan will not have interest accrued on their borrowing until the expiration of the six-month grace period. The grace period for student loans starts after successful completion or discontinuation of the MLH program. Students obtaining unsubsidized loans will have the interest accrued on the borrowings during the educational and grace period. Students of unsubsidized loans have the option of paying any accrued interest while attending MLH.

Grace Periods

Grace periods vary between each type of loan. All loan grace periods start after a student graduates or leaves MLH for any reason. The allotted amount of time as a grace period for Federal Stafford Direct LoansSM is six months. PLUS loan borrowers are subject to repayment the date of full disbursement. The first payment on PLUS loans is due within 60 days after the final disbursement. However, a parent PLUS borrower who is a student themselves can defer repayment while still enrolled at least half-time at a qualified school. Also, for PLUS loan disbursements made after July 1, 2008, the borrower can defer for an additional six months after the borrower is no longer enrolled at least half-time. Any accrued interest not paid by the borrower during deferment will be capitalized with the loan.

Payments

The DOE wants all students to be aware that all Direct LoansSM are real loans, and need to be repaid. They are just as real as car loans or mortgages. Everyone borrowing Federal student loans is expected to make their loan payments in full and on time, according to their repayment schedule. Failure to do so will result in default. It is important to note the student has an obligation to repay the full amount of the loan. This is true whether or not the student completed the program, is unable to find employment upon completion, is dissatisfied with the course, or does not receive the educational or other services purchased from MLH.

The DOE’s Entrance Counseling Guide for Direct Loan Borrowers provides sample student budgets and repayment schedules.

Repayment Plans and Other Options

Depending on which repayment plan is used, each student has generally 10 to 25 years to repay their student loans. The student has different options available to repay their student loans upon their due date.

The website from the DOE has an estimated repayment calculator for student to use. Questions about repaying Direct LoansSM should be directed to the loan servicer. Information regarding the loan servicer is available at www.nslds.ed.gov.

Common repayment plans:

Standard repayment – This option allows the student to pay a fixed amount until all of the student loans are paid in full. The minimum monthly payment will be $50.00, and are allowed up to 10 years to repay the loan.

Since the loans are to be paid in the shortest period of time, the monthly payment under the standard plan may be higher than with other options. However, since a ten-year time frame is used, the student may also pay the least amount of interest.

Extended repayment – An extended repayment plan allows for a fixed annual or graduated repayment amount for no more than 25 years. Qualified students must have more than $30,000 outstanding in Direct LoansSM. This plan is beneficial to students in need of a lower monthly payment. While the monthly loan payments will be lower, the interest has a longer period of time to accumulate. Thus, the student will ultimately pay more under this option.

Graduated repayment – This plan starts payments out low and increases them every two years with a repayment period of ten years. This payment plan is ideal for students who expect their income to rise steadily over time. The monthly payment will not be less than the amount of interest that accrues between payments. While the monthly payments will increase over time, no single payment will be greater than three times that of any other.

Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) – This plan is for borrowers of Direct LoansSM only. This provides the most flexibility for Direct LoanSM repayment without causing financial difficulties. Every year, the monthly loan payment is calculated on the basis of the student’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI, plus the spouse’s income for married couples), family size, and the total amount of the Direct LoansSM. The ICR plan will allow your monthly loan payment to be the lesser of:

1. The amount paid if repaid in 12 years multiplied by an income percentage factor which varies with the annual income, or
2. 20 percent of the student’s monthly discretionary income.
The unpaid portion of accumulated loan interest will be capitalized (added to the loan principle) once each year, if the student’s payments do not cover it. Capitalization of interest will not exceed 10 percent of the original amount due when the student entered the repayment period. Interest will continue to accumulate, but no longer be capitalized.

In an ICR plan, 25 years is the maximum repayment period. If the loans have not been fully repaid under this plan, the unpaid portion will be discharged. Time spent in deferment or forbearance does not apply. However, the student may have to pay taxes on the discharged amount.

The DOE provides more information on Income Based Repayment on the IBR Fact Sheet.
More information on repayment options can be found in the publication Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid. A copy of this publication is available in the main office or on the on-line at the DOE website.

Electronic Payments

Some student may be eligible for a reduction in interest rate by enrolling in electronic debiting. Along with receiving a student loan statement electronically, a student can make a loan payment on-line or opt for recurring loan payments through electronic debit. The student’s bank can make an automatic debit from a checking or savings account. These payments are sent to the loan holder for processing.

There are advantages in using an electronic debit system. It’s convenient and efficient, payments will always be on time, and there is no need to remember to mail a monthly check. To sign up for electronic debit, please contact your loan servicer.

Payment Difficulties

• If the student finds it difficult to repay their student loans, they are strongly encouraged to contact their loan servicer as soon as possible. The loan servicer will help determine the best course of action regarding the loan repayment. Option available are:
• Modifying/Changing repayment plans.
  Requesting a deferment, provided certain requirements are met. Deferments allow the student to temporarily stop making loan payments.
• If eligibility requirements for a deferment are not met, the student may request a forbearance. In certain situations, a forbearance allows a student to temporarily stop making payments on the loan, temporarily make them smaller, or extend the time available for repayment.

If no action is made to rectify the problem of non-payment, then the student loan could go into default. This creates serious consequences.

Default

For Federal Financial Aid purposes, default means the failure to make payments on student loans according to the terms of the MPN. The MPN is considered a binding legal document authorized at the time of loan. MLH, the financial institution that made or owns the loan, the loan guarantor, and Federal government have the authority to take action to recover any money owed. Some consequence of default include:

• National credit bureaus can be notified of your default, which will harm your credit rating. In the future, this will make it more difficult to buy a car or house.
• The student will be ineligible for additional Federal Student Aid, if there is any decision to return to school.
• Loan payments can be deducted from your paycheck.
• State and Federal income tax refunds can be withheld and applied toward the amount owed.
• Late fees and collection costs will be assessed on top of what is owed.
• The student can face legal action.

If a student loan is in default, more information is available at the Department of Education’s Default Resolution Group website.

Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Employees

Students employed in a public service job may have the balance of the loans forgiven, if 120 on-time monthly payments are made under certain repayment plans after October 1, 2007. Eligible students must be a full-time public service employee during the same period of time the qualified payments are made and at the time of cancellation. The amount forgiven is the remaining outstanding balance of accrued interest and principal on certain Direct LoansSM that are not in default. The information at Public Service Loan Forgiveness provides more detail on the subject.

Consolidation

In certain situations, students can consolidate their loans after graduation. The DOE provides more information on loan consolidation here.

Exit Counseling for Student Borrowers

Exit Counseling must also be completed before the student can receive a course completion certificate. The Exit Counseling can also be done on-line at www.StudentLoans.gov. Be sure to keep all of the entrance and exit counseling information, as this material will be needed when repayment begins.

The student is obligated to repay the full amount of the loan regardless of whether the borrower completes the Professional Pilot Program, is unable to obtain employment upon completion, is dissatisfied with the program, did not receive the educational (or other) services purchased from the MLH.

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

The DOE establish the NSLDS as a central database for student aid. This central database receives from several different areas (i.e. schools, guaranty agencies, the Direct Loan program, and other Department of ED programs). This comprehensive view of the Title IV loans and grants is accessible by students, and provided for inquiry of account data.

Website: http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/
Phone: 800.4.FED.AID (800.433.3243)
800.730.8913 (TDD)

The hours of operation are from 8AM to Midnight (EST), Monday through Friday, and 9AM to 6PM (EST) on Saturdays.
Contacting the Ombudsman’s Office

If a student is in need of help with disputes over their Direct LoansSM, they can contact the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman of the Department of Education.

Per the Federal Ombudsman’s website:
An ombudsman resolves disputes from a neutral, independent viewpoint. The Federal Student Aid (FSA) Ombudsman will informally conduct impartial fact-finding about your complaints. We will recommend solutions, but we don’t have the authority to reverse decisions. We will also work to bring about changes that will help prevent future problems for other student loan borrowers. This free service is provided by the US Department of Education.

The Ombudsman will research your problem and determine whether you have been treated fairly. If your student loan complaint is justified, we will work with you and the office, agency, or company involved in the problem. On your behalf, we will contact other offices within the U.S. Department of Education, your private lender, your loan guaranty agency, and the servicing agency or firm collecting your loan.

If your complaint is not justified, we will take the time to explain to you how we reached this conclusion.

The Ombudsman is not an advocate or someone who will automatically take your side in a complaint. We must consider all sides in an impartial and objective way. It’s the Ombudsman’s job to help develop fair solutions to complex and difficult problems.

Mailing Address: U.S. Department of Education
FSA Ombudsman
830 First Street, NE
Fourth Floor
Washington, DC 20202-5144

Phone Number: 877.557.2575
Fax Number: 202.275.0549
Website: www.ombudsman.ed.gov/start.html
Institutional Code of Conduct for Education Loans

Ethical considerations regarding student financial are important to the College. There are no revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender of any kind. The act of receiving gifts from a lender, a guarantor, or loan servicer is prohibited. There will be no contract arrangements providing financial benefit from any lender of affiliates of a lender. Loan certifications will not be delayed or refused, and the College prohibits the directing of borrowers to particular lenders. No funds will be offered as private loans. There is no financial aid assistance to call center or financial aid office staff.

Gramm Leach Bliley (GLB) ACT Information Security Plan

This Information Security Plan (“Plan”) describes Mauna Loa Helicopters’ safeguards to protect information and data in compliance (“Protected Information”) with the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, also known as the Gramm Leach Bliley Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 6801. These safeguards are provided to:

• Protect the security and confidentiality of Protected Information;
• Protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information; and
• Protect against unauthorized access to or use of Protected Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.

This Information Security Plan also provides for mechanisms to:

• Identify and assess the risks that may threaten Protected Information maintained by Mauna Loa Helicopters;
• Designate employees responsible for coordinating the program;
• Design and implement a safeguards program;
• Manage the selection of appropriate service providers;
• Adjust the plan to reflect changes in technology, the sensitivity of Protected Information, and internal or external threats to information security; and
• Reference related policies, standards, and guidelines.

Identification and Assessment of Risks to Customer Information

Mauna Loa Helicopters recognizes that it has both internal and external risks. These risks include, but are not limited to:

• Unauthorized access of Protected Information by someone other than the owner of the covered data and information
• Compromised system security as a result of system access by an unauthorized person
• Interception of data during transmission
• Loss of data integrity
• Physical loss of data in a disaster
• Errors introduced into the system
• Corruption of data or systems
• Unauthorized access of covered data and information by employees
• Unauthorized requests for covered data and information
• Unauthorized access through hardcopy files or reports
• Unauthorized transfer of covered data and information through third parties

Mauna Loa Helicopters recognizes that this may not be a complete list of the risks associated with the protection of Protected Information. Since technology growth is not static, new risks are created regularly. Accordingly, the Administrative team will actively participate with and seek advice from an advisory committee made up of university representatives for identification of new risks. Mauna Loa Helicopters believes current safeguards used by the Administrative team are reasonable and, in light of current risk assessments are sufficient to provide security and confidentiality to Protected Information maintained by the flight school.

Information Security Plan Coordinators

The MLH Administrative team, is responsible for the maintenance of information security and privacy. The Administrative team is responsible for safeguarding Protected Information will provide an annual update report indicating the status of its safeguarding procedures. Then are responsible for assessing the risks associated with unauthorized transfers of Protected Information and implementing procedures to minimize those risks that are appropriate based upon the flight school’s size, complexity and the nature and scope of its activities.

Design and Implementation of Safeguards Program

Employee Management and Training

In accordance with MLH policies, standards, and guidelines, reference checking and background reviews will be conducted when deemed appropriate. During employee orientation, each new employee in departments that handle Protected Information will receive proper training on the importance of confidentiality of Protected Information. Each new employee will also be trained in the proper use of computer information and passwords. Further, each department responsible for maintaining Protected Information will provide ongoing updates to its staff. These training efforts should help minimize risk and safeguard covered data and information security.

Physical Security

Mauna Loa Helicopters has addressed the physical security of Protected Information by limiting access to only those employees who have a business reason to know such information and requiring signed acknowledgement of the requirement to keep Protected Information private. Existing policies establish a procedure for the prompt reporting of the loss or theft of Protected Information. Offices and storage facilities that maintain Protected Information limit customer access and are appropriately secured. Paper documents that contain Protected Information are shredded at time of disposal.

Information Systems

Information systems include network and software design, as well as information processing, storage, transmission, retrieval, and disposal. Mauna Loa Helicopters has policies, standards, and guidelines governing the use of electronic resources and firewall and wireless policies. Mauna Loa Helicopters will take reasonable and appropriate steps consistent with current technological developments to make sure that all Protected Information is secure and to safeguard the integrity of records in storage and transmission. Mauna Loa Helicopters will develop a plan to protect all electronic Protected Information by encrypting it for transit.

Management of System Failures

MLH will maintain effective systems to prevent, detect, and respond to attacks, intrusions and other system failures. Such systems may include maintaining and implementing current anti-virus software; checking with software vendors and others to regularly obtain and install patches to correct software vulnerabilities; maintaining appropriate filtering or firewall technologies; alerting those with access to covered data of threats to security; imaging documents and shredding paper copies; backing up data regularly and storing back-up information off site, as well as other reasonable measures to protect the integrity and safety of information systems.

Selection of Appropriate Service Providers

Due to the specialized expertise needed to design, implement, and service new technologies, vendors may be needed to provide resources that determines not to provide on its own. In the process of choosing a service provider that will maintain or regularly access Protected Information, the evaluation process shall include the ability of the service provider to safeguard Protected Information. Contracts with service providers may include the following provisions:

• A stipulation that the Protected Information will be held in strict confidence and accessed only for the explicit business purpose of the contract;
• An assurance from the contract partner that the partner will protect the Protected Information it receives.

Continuing Evaluation and Adjustment

This Information Security Plan will be subject to periodic review and adjustment, especially when due to the constantly changing technology and evolving risks. The administrative team will review the standards set forth in this policy and recommend updates and revisions as necessary. It may be necessary to adjust the plan to reflect changes in technology, the sensitivity of student/customer data and internal or external threats to information security.

Policies, Standards and Guidelines

Policies

• Background Verification
• Employee Conduct and Work Rules
• Privacy Rights of Students
• Release of Student Information
• Lost or Stolen Student Records
• Computer, Internet, and Electronic Communications

Guidelines

• Student Educational Records – FERPA
• ASU’s Privacy Statement
• Desktop and Network Security
• Personal Desktop Security for Home and Office
• Anti-Virus Updates and Utilities
• ASU Site-Licensed Software: Recommended Software