To that end, we subscribe to the standards espoused by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA):

An institutional financial aid professional is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, specifically including all dealings with any entities involved in any manner in student financial aid, regardless of whether such entities are involved in a government sponsored, subsidized, or regulated activity. In doing so, a financial aid professional should:

• 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 his or her institution regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
• Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything of other than nominal value from an entity (other than an institution of higher education or a government entity such as the U.S. Department of Education) involved in the making, holding, consolidating, or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement expenses) for serving on an advisory body or as part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity.
• Disclose to his or her institution, in such a manner as his or her institution may prescribe, any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.

In addition, College of the Atlantic’s policies state: 
  • College of the Atlantic admission and financial aid employees receive compensation in the form of an annual salary or hourly pay, dependent upon the job description and responsibilities, in accordance with FLSA regulations. College of the Atlantic prohibits the use of any form of incentive-based pay (such as commissions, bonuses, or other payments) for employees, contractors, or other entities involved in recruitment, admissions, and/or financial aid activities, that is based on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including Tuition Assistance benefits) for the institution.

  • College of the Atlantic prohibits the use of high-pressure student recruitment tactics in recruitment efforts conducted by college employees or contractors. This applies to all prospective students (including military Service members) and includes adherence to the following:

    • No more than one unsolicited contact or communication with any prospective student by phone, email, mail, text, or in-person contact (an unsolicited contact is defined as someone who has not opted-in to receive college contacts and communications);
    • No same-day recruiting/registration tactics;
    • No use of incentives such as scholarships, housing preference, or other special benefits to promote early (pre-deadline) enrollment;
    • Honoring all prospective student requests to opt-out or unsubscribe from promotional emails and communications.