An institutional financial aid professional is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, specifically including all dealings with any entities involved in any manner in student financial aid, regardless of whether such entities are involved in a government sponsored, subsidized or regulated activity.

In doing so, a financial aid professional should:

1. Refrain from taking action that is for their personal benefit or could be perceived to be a conflict of interest.

   • Employees within the financial aid office will not award aid to themselves or their immediate family members. Staff will reserve this task to an institutionally designated person to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
   • If a preferred lender list is provided, it will be compiled without prejudice and for the sole benefit of the students attending the institution. The information included about lenders and loan terms will be transparent, complete, and accurate. The complete process through which preferred lenders are selected will be fully and publicly disclosed. Borrowers will not be auto assigned to any particular lender.
   • A borrower's choice of a lender will not be denied, impeded or unnecessarily delayed by the institution, even if that lender is not included on the institution's preferred lender list.
   • No amount of cash, gift or benefit in excess of a de minimis amount shall be accepted by a financial aid staff member from any financial aid applicant (or his/her family), or from any entity doing business with or seeking to do business with the institution (including service on advisory committees or boards beyond reimbursement for reasonable expenses directly associated with such service).

2. Provide information that is accurate, unbiased and does not reflect preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.

3. Provide institutional award notifications and/or other institutionally provided materials which include the following:

   • A breakdown of individual components of the institution's Cost of Attendance, designating all potential billable charges.
   • Clear identification of each award, indicating type of aid, i.e., gift aid (grant, scholarship), work or loan.
   • Standard terminology and definitions, using NASFAA’s glossary of award letter terms.
   • Renewal requirements for each award.

4. Display all required consumer information in a prominent location on the institutional website(s) and in any printed materials, easily identified and found, and labeled as "Consumer Information."

5. Disclose to their institution any involvement, interest in or potential conflict of interest with any entity with which the institution has a business relationship.

The Office of Financial Aid is committed to conducting business with the utmost ethical manner to support our students and families. As members of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), we also comply with the Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals.