Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Staff members in the Financial Aid Office have always been bound to act in compliance with the vision outlined in the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator’s Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) – A student’s academic progress is directly related to financial aid eligibility. The Financial Aid SAP Policy provides guidelines to maintain financial aid eligibility each year. View the SAP Policy in the On-Campus Undergraduate Academic Catalog by searching for the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) chapter in the Financial Information section.

No staff member shall accept any gift worth more than $10 from a representative of a student loan provider. Gifts include meals, travel, lodging, entertainment, and in-kind services (such as printing customized consumer information for borrowers with the school’s logo).

Staff can participate in meals, refreshments, and receptions in conjunction with meetings, trainings, or conference events open to all attendees.

Staff will place all unsolicited marketing materials (such as pens, pads and markers) received from lenders in the reception area for the use of students and parents.

Office visits by representatives of major lenders are normally limited to once a quarter.

Interested Lender representatives are invited to speak at staff meetings during the late fall and winter to provide updated information on their programs for families.

Staff members may or may not be allowed to pursue part-time employment outside of their scheduled work day. However, any staff member who is approached by a lender with an offer for supplemental employment will provide full written details to his/her supervisor. Staff members can not accept supplemental employment with lenders that creates any potential “conflict of interest” with the operations of the Financial Aid Office.

Grace Christian University does not currently require staff to complete and submit financial disclosure forms as a condition of employment. All staff members in the Financial Aid Office will disclose to his or her immediate supervisor if an assigned task could create a perceived or real “conflict of interest” in the eyes of the public.

Staff who knowingly fail to follow these guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action.

Lender Participation in On-Campus Special Events:
These special events are not housed within the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and the lenders are always clearly identified. We believe that continuing this program provides families with the opportunity to gather additional information which helps them become better consumers.