2023-2024 Course Catalog
Office of Financial Aid Code of Conduct
Financial Aid staff members are responsible for adhering to principles of good practice as mandated by state, federal, and institutional regulations, including the Policy for Ethical Practice. Financial Aid staff, as well as officers, trustees, and employees of Chatham University who make financial aid decisions for the University must adhere to the following professional standards.
- Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit.
- Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interest of the students and parents he or she serves.
- Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
- Be objective in making decisions and advising Chatham University regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of financial aid.
- Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything of other than nominal value from any entity involved in the making, holding, consolidating, or processing of student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expenses) for serving on an advisory body. This includes, but not limited to, gifts such as travel, hotel or motel lodging, entertainment, restaurant meals, office supplies, and event tickets.
- Disclose in such a manner as Chatham University may prescribe, any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
- Institutional award notifications and/or other institutionally provided materials shall include the following:
- A breakdown of the 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. gift aid (grant, scholarship), work or loan.
- Standard terminology and definitions.
- Renewal requirements for each award.
- All required consumer information is displayed in a prominent location on the Chatham University website and in any printed materials, easily identified and found, and labeled as "Consumer Information."
Refrain from discussing options for or recommending any lender for private loans.