Financial Aid Code of Conduct

Central Community College Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has adopted and will follow the Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Financial Aid Professionals as created by the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators.

The CCC Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is dedicated to providing outstanding customer service to our students and their families with the appropriate level of professionalism and commitment to ethical standards.

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct

NASFAA's Statement of Ethical Principles provides that the primary goal of the institutional financial aid professional is to help students achieve their educational potential by providing appropriate financial resources. To this end, this Statement provides that the financial aid professional shall:

• Be committed to removing financial barriers for those who wish to pursue postsecondary learning.
• Make every effort to assist students with financial need.
• Be aware of the issues affecting students and advocate their interests at the institutional, state, and federal levels.
• Support efforts to encourage students, as early as the elementary grades, to aspire to and plan for education beyond high school.
• Educate students and families through quality consumer information.
• Respect the dignity and protect the privacy of students, and ensure the confidentiality of student records and personal circumstances.
• Ensure equity by applying all need analysis formulas consistently across the institution's full population of student financial aid applicants.
• Provide services that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability or age.
• Recognize the need for professional development and continuing education opportunities.
• Promote the free expression of ideas and opinions, and foster respect for diverse viewpoints within the profession.
• Commit to the highest level of ethical behavior and refrain from conflict of interest or the perception thereof.
• Maintain the highest level of professionalism, reflecting a commitment to the goals of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals

Central Community College financial aid staff is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, specifically including all interactions 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, the CCC financial aid staff will:

• Refrain from taking any action for personal benefit.
• Refrain from taking any action contrary to law, regulation, or the best interest of students and parents.
• Ensure that the information is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
• Be objective in making decisions and advising Central Community College regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
• Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything of other than nominal value from any entity involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans.
• Disclose to Central Community College any involvement with, or interest in, any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
• Decline any financial benefit (including the chance to purchase stock) as compensation for consulting services, advisory council service, or otherwise advising lenders.
• Decline staffing offers from lenders/guarantors unless it relates to professional development or providing financial literacy workshop/materials. (Educational materials must disclose sources of agency and financial support.