National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Ethics in Financial Aid.

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

Ethics in Financial Aid

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Ethics

A set of moral principles or values, a theory

or system of moral values; the principles of conduct governing an individual or group.

(Webster Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary)

Standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues.

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Ethics

Choosing between 2 rights:

An ethical dilemma is a situation that often involves an apparent conflict between moral imperatives, in which to obey one would result in transgressing another.

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Wisdom

We do not receive wisdom. It is something we must discover for ourselves through a journey that no one can take for us nor spare us. It comes from perspectives on things.

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Three Perspectives on Ethics in Financial Aid• We as educators serve a noble purpose: keeping

America strong.

• We are under constant scrutiny, serving many masters with different expectations and different moral imperatives.

• The moral principles or values by which we are judged and by which we may negotiate our course are universal and unchanging.

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Three Perspectives on Ethics in Financial Aid

1st Perspective:

We as educators serve a noble purpose: keeping America strong.

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We serve a noble purpose.

• Horace Mann, writing in the mid-1800’s, called education, “…beyond all other devices of human origin…the great equalizer of the conditions of men—the balance-wheel of the social machinery.”

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Education: A Noble Purpose

Purposes of HE– Create “human capital”– Advance and disseminate

knowledge– Promote “civic virtue”– Enable “social mobility”

Equity and Excellence in Higher Education, Bowen, Kurzweil and Tobin, 2005

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Education: A Noble Purpose

Complementary Nature of Equity and Excellence– Schools want excellent students– Every pool of talent is needed– Quality of learning is enhanced by

diversity– Democracy needs capable

participants

(Equity and Excellence in Higher Education, Bowen, Kurzweil and Tobin, 2005)

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Education: A Noble Purpose

Institute for Higher Education Policy, 1998

• People with a college education:– Participate more effectively in governance– Contribute more liberally of their time and

money to community– Consume fewer public services– Contribute more to economic growth and

productivity, resulting in a larger economic pie for all

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Education: A Noble Purpose

• See Education Pays 2004: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society; and Education Pays Update 2005 from College Board’s Trends Reports

(http://www.collegeboard.com/press/article/0,,48884,00.html)

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Education: A Noble Purpose

• We make dreams come true:

– For Individuals

– For Democracy

• We exist for public good.

Therefore…….

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Paying for College Is a Shared Responsibility!

PartnersFamily

Governments

School

Private Sector

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2nd Perspective

We are under constant scrutiny, serving many masters with different

expectations and different moral imperatives.

Three Perspectives on Ethics in Financial Aid

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Under Scrutiny of Many Masters

• Support for HE, Flowing from The Various Sources, Creates Stakeholders Who:– Have vested interests in our choices and actions– View us from different perspectives

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Under Scrutiny: Stakeholders

• Students and parents

• Federal Govt. (ED and Congress)

• HE Authority and Legislature

• School (Board, Administration, Colleagues)

• Donors

• Professional Associations

• YOU

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Under Scrutiny: Valuables Entrusted

• Families: lives, future, funding

• Governments: allocations, intent, economic and social well-being

• School: operating resources (budget, equipment, space, supplies) information, relationships, mission, reputation, future

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Under Scrutiny: Valuables Entrusted

• Donors: funds, beneficent intent

• Prof. Assoc.’s: mission, reputation

• You: integrity, purpose, happiness

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“Good intentions randomize behavior.”

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• Financial Need

• Institutional Priorities

• Civic Needs

• Beneficence

• Achievements

Under Scrutiny: Eligibility Criteria

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Under Scrutiny: Roles We Perform

• Steward: cultivate and maximize resources entrusted to us—human, financial, physical and consumables

• Authority: share information and intent; knowledge and values; exercise expertise, including judgment

• Champion: “Ride for the brand”

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3rd Perspective

The moral principles or values by which we are judged and by which we may negotiate our course are universal and unchanging.

Three Perspectives on Ethics in Financial Aid

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Moral Principles or Values

Where do we turn for guidance?

• NASFAA Statement of Ethical Principles

(http://www.nasfaa.org/annualpubs/NEthical599.html)

• The 4-H Club“Work Ethic Guidelines” from Character Counts, LSU Ag Center Research and Extension, Louisiana 4-H

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NASFAA Statement of Ethical Principles

• Make every effort to assist students with financial need.• Ensure equity by applying all need analysis formulas

consistently.• Respect the dignity and privacy of students.• Do not discriminate.• Promote the free expression of ideas and opinions -

respect diverse viewpoints.• Commit to the highest level of ethical behavior and refrain

from conflict of interest.

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Moral Principles or Values

TrustworthinessRespect

ResponsibilityFairnessCaring

Citizenship

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Moral Principles or Values

• Trustworthiness– Work with little supervision, yet seek guidance

as needed.– Be honest and reliable in all dealings.– Refuse to steal, misuse or abuse company

time, property or equipment. – Refuse to lie, cheat, deceive, manipulate,

exploit or take advantage of others.

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Moral Principles or Values

• Respect– Value and honor all people.– Respect the dignity, privacy and freedom of all. – Use good manners. Be courteous and polite. – Listen to and communicate openly with others.– Be friendly and cooperative.

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Moral Principles or Values

• Responsibility– Show initiative. Pay attention to detail. Pursue

excellence.– Be loyal.– Strive to improve abilities, learn new skills and

take on broader responsibilities.– Be accountable. Fulfill commitments,

persevere and get the job done.

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Moral Principles or Values

• Fairness– Listen. Know your job. Communicate honestly.– Consider all stakeholders and the possible

short- and long-term consequences of decisions.

– Be free of bias, just, without favoritism or prejudice.

– Use tact and courtesy.– Share knowledge, ideas and skills with others.

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Moral Principles or Values

• Caring– Strive for harmonious, mutually beneficial

relationships.– Show kindness and sensitivity to the feelings of

others.– Express gratitude.– Show personal concern for others.– Take time to help others.– Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.

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Moral Principles or Values

• Citizenship– Understand and contribute to the organization.– Take care of equipment and resources.– Pursue life-long learning.– Volunteer without expectation of recognition or

reward.– Be a role model and mentor to new employees.

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Education: A Noble Purpose

• We make dreams come true:

– For Individuals

– For Our Nation

• We exist for public good.

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Under Scrutiny: Roles We Perform

• Steward: cultivate and maximize resources entrusted to us—human, financial, physical and consumables

• Authority: share information, knowledge and values; exercise expertise, including judgment

• Champion: “Ride for the brand”

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Universal and Unchanging Moral Principles

• Trustworthiness• Respect• Responsibility• Fairness• Caring• Citizenship

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Final Thoughts

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,

even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;

they are vexations to the spirit.

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Final Thoughts

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater

and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

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