Code of Conduct

With the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Congress has required that all colleges post a Code of Conduct relating to financial aid, private lending and student choice. Accordingly, the institution's officers, employees and/or agents with responsibilities with respect to such loans shall adhere to the following sound practices.


I. NESA employees do not receive any personal benefits from Lending Institutions

No member of the Financial Aid staff will accept anything of more than nominal value on his or her behalf or on behalf of another person or entity from any Lending Institution. For example, cash, stocks, gifts, entertainment, expense-paid trips, etc. will never be accepted from a Lending Institution. Likewise, an individual will never accept payment or reimbursement from a Lending Institution for lodging, meals or travel to conferences or training seminars.


II. NESA does not provide any advantage to a Lending Institution

The staff in the Office of Financial Aid does not accept anything of value from any Lending Institution in exchange for any advantage or consideration provided to the Lending Institution related to its student loan activities, including but not limited to revenue-sharing, printing costs or below-cost computer hardware or software. Likewise, NESA does not allow any Lending Institution to staff the Office of Financial Aid at any time.


III. NESA makes appropriate use of any Recommended Lender Lists

NESA does not offer a preferred lender list for private/alternative loans. However, we abide by the following:

  1. Students are free to select the Lending Institution of their choice for Stafford/ Grad PLUS loans.
  2. Students may borrow through any lender they choose for a private/alternative loan.
  3. NESA does not assign a borrower's loan to a particular lender for any new borrowers and will certify all loans based on a borrower's selection.  Students who have borrowed while at NESA will be assigned to their previous lender unless the student requests otherwise.

IV. NESA employees do not serve on lender advisory boards for remuneration

No officer, trustee or employee of NESA who makes financial aid decisions for the institution or who is employed in, supervises or otherwise has responsibility or authority over the Office of Financial Aid will receive any remuneration for serving as a member or participant on a student loan advisory board of a Lending Institution, or receive any reimbursement of expenses for such service.