CSCC's Financial Aid's Code of Conduct

Cleveland State Community College's Financial Aid Office employees adhere to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Code of Conduct. The primary goal of the institutional financial aid professional is to help students achieve their educational potential by providing appropriate financial resources.

The following Code of Conduct for Financial Aid Professionals will be expected to:

• Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit or create a conflict of interest. Includes:
  • 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.
    • 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).
    • Prohibit revenue-sharing agreements with any lender.
• Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interest of the students and parents he or she serves.
• Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
• Be objective in making decisions and advising his or her institution regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
• Disclose to his or her institution, in such manner as his or her institution may prescribe, any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.