Financial Aid Code of Conduct

The Higher Education Opportunity Act conditions the eligibility of educational institutions to participate in Title IV programs on the development of and compliance with a code of conduct which prohibits conflicts of interest for its financial aid personnel. Bellevue University's officers, employees and its agents are required to comply with this code of conduct. The following specific provisions bring Bellevue University into compliance with the federal law. [HEOA 487(e)].

• Neither Bellevue University as an institution, nor any individual officer, employee or agent shall enter into any revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender.
• No officer or employee of Bellevue University who is employed in the Financial Aid Office or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or an agent who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or any of their family members, shall solicit or accept any gift from a lender, guarantor, or servicer of education loans. For purposes of this prohibition, the term "gift" means any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan or other item having a monetary value of more than a nominal amount. (Nominal value is valued at $10 or less).
• An officer or employee of Bellevue University who is employed in the Financial Aid Office or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or an agent who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, shall not accept from any lender or affiliate of any lender any fee, payment, or other financial benefit (including the opportunity to purchase stock) as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or other contract to provide services to a lender or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.
• Bellevue University will not:
  • for any first time borrower, assign, through award packaging or other methods, the borrower's loan to a particular lender; or
  • refuse to certify, or delay certification of, any loan based on the borrower's selection of a particular lender or guaranty agency.
• Bellevue University shall not request or accept from any lender any offer of funds to be used for private education loans, including funds for an opportunity pool loan, to students in exchange for the institution providing concessions or promises regarding providing the lender with:
  • a specified number of loans made, insured, or guaranteed under Title IV;
  • a specified loan volume of such loans; or
  • a preferred lender arrangement for such loans.
• Bellevue University shall not request or accept from any lender any assistance with call center staffing or financial aid staffing.
• Any employee who is employed in the Financial Aid Office, or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans or other student financial aid, and who serves on an advisory board, commission, or group established by a lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, shall be prohibited from receiving anything of value from the lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, except that the employee may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in serving on such an advisory board, commission, or group.
• Financial staff can participate in meals, refreshments and receptions that are in conjunction with meetings, trainings, or conference events that are open to all attendees.
• Office visits by lenders/guarantors are normally limited to once per quarter.

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

Bellevue University is an active member of NASFAA (National Association of Financial Aid Administrators) and adheres to its Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals.