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.
Financial aid code of conduct
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
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.
Learn more about student financial aid details
Financial aid policies
Our policies align with state and federal regulations governing each program, ensuring transparency and compliance.
Learn more about our policies
Managing student loan debt
Understand the importance of borrowing wisely, ensuring that the funds received are managed effectively and repaid responsibly.
Learn more about managing debt
Student exit counseling
Federal student loan borrowers must complete exit counseling before graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half-time enrollment.
Learn more about exit counseling
Become who you are meant to be
Invest in your future. Contact SAU's Student Financial Aid to learn what assistance options are available so you can become who you're meant to be.
