The Shepherd University Office of Financial Aid has adopted NASFAA’s Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals as follows: is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, specifically including all dealing 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:
- Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit
- Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interests 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
- Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything of other than nominal value from any entity (other than an institution of higher education or a government entity such as the U.S. Department of Education) involved in the making, holding, consolidation or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expense) for serving on an advisory body or as part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity
- 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
Additionally, the Shepherd University Code of Conduct prohibits:
- revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender;
- receiving gifts from a lender, a guarantor, or a loan servicer;
- contracting arrangement providing financial benefit from any lender or affiliate of a lender;
- directing borrowers to particular lenders, or refusing or delaying loan certifications;
- offers of funds for private loans;
- call center or financial aid office staffing assistance; and
- advisory board compensation.