Code of Ethics and Conduct

The Financial Aid Office staff at Trocaire College abides by a Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals. The code requires an institutional financial aid professional to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, including all dealings 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. The majority of the code is based upon guidelines promulgated by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

All members of the Financial Aid Office staff are bound by the following:

  • All employees within the Financial Aid Office will treat all individuals with respect, concern, and courtesy.
  • The privacy rights of students and parents will be carefully guarded in accordance with College and departmental policies.
  • Financial Aid staff will never discriminate in the administration of the aid programs or any other professional activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability or handicap, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
  • No action will be taken by financial aid staff that is for their personal benefit or could be perceived to be a conflict of interest.
    • Employees within the financial aid office will not award, package, perform a professional judgment, or otherwise administer aid for themselves or their family members. Staff will reserve this task to another member of the Financial Aid staff, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
    • The Financial Aid Office will not institute or distribute a “preferred lender list” for private education loans or other similar document.
    • No member of the financial aid staff will recommend any particular private education loan lender(s) or private education loan product(s) in any manner (verbally, electronic, or by other means).
    • A borrower’s choice of a private education loan lender will not be denied, impeded, or unnecessarily delayed by the College.
    • 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.
  • All information provided by the financial aid office will be accurate, unbiased, and will not reflect preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
  • Institutional award notifications (Financial Aid Offer Letters – available through the portal system) include the following:
    • A breakdown of individual components of the institution’s Cost of Attendance, designating all potential billable charges.
    • Clear identification of each award, indicating type of aid, (i.e. grant, scholarship, work, or loan).
    • Standard terminology and definitions.
    • Renewal requirements for each award, if any.
  • All required consumer information is displayed in a prominent location on the institutional website and in any printed materials, easily identified and found, and labeled as “Consumer Information.”
  • Financial aid staff will disclose any involvement, interest in, or potential conflict of interest with any entity with which the College has a business relationship.
  • Financial Aid staff will immediately disclose to the Director of Financial Aid any student loan/parent loan default or delinquency, allegation or conviction of fraud (including fraud with federal funds), debarment from financial aid administration by the ED, or other situation which might call into question the staff member’s ability to administer federal financial aid.