Financial Aid Office

The Financial Aid Office at Thomas Jefferson University is a member of NASFAA—the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The office abides by the Federal Department of Education’s recommendations and NASFAA's Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals, which states that an institutional financial aid professional is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out their responsibilities. This specifically includes all dealings with 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 Code of Conduct applies to the University’s officers, employees, and agents and prohibits Financial Aid employees from receiving gifts from a lender, guaranty agency, or loan servicer.

In furtherance of Jefferson’s commitment to an effort to prevent perceived and/or actual conflicts of interest when administering financial aid, the employees of Thomas Jefferson University Financial Aid Office shall comply with the following:

• Not participate in any revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender.
• Not permit any employee of the University who is involved in the administration of financial aid to accept any gifts of greater than a nominal value from any lender, guarantor, or servicer.
• Not permit any employee of the University to accept any fee, payment or other financial benefit (including a stock purchase option) from a lender or affiliate of a lender as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or contract to provide services to a lender or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.
• Not permit any employee to accept anything of value from a lender, guarantor, or group of lenders and/or guarantors in exchange for service on an advisory board, commission or other group established by such a lender, guarantor group of lenders and/or guarantors. Thomas Jefferson University does allow for the reasonable reimbursement of expenses associated with participation in such boards, commissions or groups by lenders, guarantors, or groups of lenders and/or guarantors.
• Not assign a lender to any first-time borrower through financial aid packaging or any other means.
• Recognize that a borrower has the right to choose any lender from which to borrow to finance their education. Thomas Jefferson University will not refuse to certify or otherwise deny or delay certification of a loan based on the borrower's selection of a lender and/or guarantor.
• Not request or accept any offer of funds to be used for private education loans to students from any lender in exchange for providing the lender with a specified number or volume of Title IV loans, or a preferred lender arrangement for Title IV loans.
• Not request or accept any assistance with call center or financial aid staffing.
• Refrain from taking any action for personal benefit.
• Refrain from taking any action that is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interests of the students and parents who are served.
• Ensure that the information provided is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential gain.
• Remain objective in making decisions and advising the administration of Thomas Jefferson University regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
• Disclose to the administration of Thomas Jefferson University any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.

Violation of this Code may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or dismissal.