Financial Aid Statement Of Ethical Principles & Code Of Conduct

Statement of Ethical Principles

The primary goal of Franklin University’s Financial Aid office is to help students fulfill their educational goals by providing access to appropriate financial resources. The following statement, based on that of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), serves as a common foundation for accepted standards of conduct.

The Financial Aid Professional shall:

1. Be committed to removing financial barriers for those who wish to pursue postsecondary learning.
2. Make every effort to assist students with financial need.
3. Be aware of the issues affecting students and advocate their interests at the institutional, state, and federal levels.
4. Support efforts to encourage students, as early as the elementary grades, to aspire to and plan for education beyond high school.
5. Educate students and families through quality consumer information.
6. Respect the dignity and protect the privacy of students, and ensure the confidentiality of student records and personal circumstances.
7. Ensure equity by applying all need analysis formulas consistently across the institution's full population of student financial aid applicants.
8. Provide services that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or economic status.
9. Recognize the need for professional development and continuing education opportunities.
10. Promote the free expression of ideas and opinions, and foster respect for diverse viewpoints within the profession.
11. Commit to the highest level of ethical behavior and refrain from conflict of interest or the perception thereof.
12. Maintain the highest level of professionalism, reflecting a commitment of Franklin University's four cornerstones (as stated in the Educational Philosophy), as well as the University's CORE Values:  integrity, respect, opportunity, learning and excellence.

Financial aid professionals work within vastly differing institutional environments and share decision-making authority regarding financial aid policy, practices, and procedures. NASFAA strongly encourages each financial aid professional to engage his or her institutional colleagues so that there is common understanding regarding the conduct of their respective obligations. 

Code of Conduct

Financial Aid professionals are expected to maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of their work including all dealings with any entity involved (in any manner) in student financial aid.  Such entities may include that which are involved in a government sponsored, subsidized, or regulated activity.

The Financial Aid Professional shall:

1. Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit.
2. 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.
3. Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
4. Be objective in making decisions and advising his or her institution regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
5. Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything of other than nominal value from any entity (other than an institution of higher education or a governmental entity such as the U. S. Department of Education) involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expenses) for serving on an advisory body or as part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity.
6. 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.