Ethics in Financial Aid The Times Have Changed

Goals  Open Discussion, We’re all in this together!  Define the standards of conduct governing financial aid professionals before and after April 2007  Evaluate the circumstances that led to the intense scrutiny of the financial aid profession  Re-define the purpose of financial aid professionals and the partnerships needed to best serve the students

Definition of Ethics A set of moral principles or values, a theory or system of moral values; the principles of conduct governing an individual or group. (Webster Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary)

Ethics and mission in Education: To educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community.

Choosing between 2 rights: An ethical dilemma is a situation that often involves an apparent conflict between moral imperatives, in which to obey one would result in transgressing another.

Our Partners in Higher Education  Students  Parents  Government (State and Federal)  Lenders/Guarantee Agencies/Servicing Centers  Media  Public  Private Sector Business  Others?

Dilemmas in the Financial Aid Office  Why do we have ethical dilemmas?  Why are we scrutinized?  What ethical dilemmas do we face?  Prior to April 2007, what resources were available to guide us? - NASFAA Code of Conduct – Prevailing Business Practices - Institutional Conflict of Interest polices - Others?

Ethics in the Financial Aid Office: Post April 2007  How many Code of Conduct Agreements have you signed? - Office - Institutional - State - Regional - NASFAA  College Cost Reduction and Access Act: How will this impact our ethics?  When will the scrutiny end?

Past and Present: Ethical Relationships with Our Partners  Students/Families  Governments (State/Federal)  Media  The Public  Private Sector Business  Lenders/Guarantee Agencies/Servicing Centers

Present and Future: What has and will change?  Student Loan Benefits  Institutional Budgets – Operating, Printing  Technology  Outreach Activities  Lender Lists  Marketing Strategies

So, what can we do to best serve our students and protect our profession?  Talk to them, Keep them informed  Avoid conflicts of interest  Regularly assess our operations to ensure top quality service and current financial aid options available