Learn about SAU's financial aid code of conduct

Understand SAU's financial aid code, ensuring fairness and transparency. We prioritize ethical practices for your confidence and success. We take the code of conduct very seriously and have processes in place to ensure it's followed

About financial aid and ethical practices

At SAU, financial aid decisions are tailored to individual needs, reflecting our commitment to providing the necessary information and resources. Our officers, employees, and agents are equipped with a Code of Conduct outlining acceptable practices.

Adherence to educational loan code of conduct

In compliance with Iowa Code Section 261F.2 and Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 601.21, SAU adheres to a Code of Conduct governing educational loans. Our commitment extends to officers, employees, trustees, and affiliated entities.

Impermissible activities include:

Refusing or delaying certification of an education loan based on a borrower's choice of lender.
Assigning a first-time borrower to a particular private education loan lender through the student's financial aid award or other means.
Packaging a private education loan in a student's financial aid award (except when the student is ineligible for other aid, exhausted their federal student aid eligibility, didn't file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or refused to apply for a federal student loan).
Accepting impermissible gifts, goods, or services from a lender, lender servicer, or guarantor. The institution may accept default prevention, financial literacy, or student aid-related educational services or materials, or other items of a nominal value.
Accepting philanthropic contributions from a lender, lender servicer, or guarantor that are related to the educational loans provided by the entity making the contribution.
Accepting from a lender or its affiliate any fee, payment, or financial benefit as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or other contract to provide education loan-related services to or on behalf of the lender.
Accepting fees or benefits in exchange for endorsing a lender or their loan products.
Requesting or accepting an offer of funds for private education loans from a lender in exchange for our promise to put the lender on a preferred lender list, or a certain volume of private education loans.

Download the full SAU Code of Conduct for Education Loans (pdf).

Navigating financial aid decisions at SAU

Transparency is key in SAU's financial aid process. We communicate clearly so students receive accessible information about their aid. SAU is dedicated to providing clear, transparent, and readily available information at every step of the process.