Fair Lending Practices – Code of Conduct

Oglethorpe University participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program, however, we do process alternative/private loans for students through banks and other lending institutions. Recent reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 requires all colleges and universities to provide a Code of Conduct relating to financial aid, private lending and student lending choices.

University employees do not receive any personal benefits from lending institutions. No staff of the Office of Enrollment Services will accept anything of more than nominal value on his or her behalf or on behalf of another person or entity 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.

The University does not provide any advantage to any lending institutions. Enrollment Services staff do 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 computer software or hardware. Likewise, the University does not allow any lending institution to staff Enrollment Services at any time.

The University does not maintain a Preferred Lender List. Students and their parents are free to select the lending institution of their choice for private/alternative loans and may borrow through any lender or guarantor they choose. Enrollment Services does not assign a borrower’s loan to a particular lender and will certify all loans based on a borrower’s selection of a lender.

University Employees do not serve on a lender advisory board for remuneration. No officer or employee of the University who makes financial aid decisions for the University or who is employed in, supervises or otherwise has responsibility or authority over the University’s Office of Enrollment Services will receive any remuneration for serving as a member or participant on a student loan advisory board of a lending institution, or receive reimbursement of expenses for such service.