Ethical Conduct in Admissions, Recruitment, and Financial Assistance Policy

Purpose

McNeese State University is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in admissions, recruitment, and financial assistance practices. The University adheres to all applicable federal regulations, state laws, and best practices to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity in student recruitment and financial aid administration. This policy establishes ethical guidelines for University employees involved in these processes, in compliance with:

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Principles of Accreditation and related policies
• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) Ethics and Practice Statement
• Louisiana Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (LACRAO) College and Career Fair Guidelines
• National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission
• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulations

Additionally, this policy ensures compliance with the University’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense (DoD) by prohibiting incentive-based recruitment and high-pressure recruitment tactics targeting service members.

Policy

Ethical Standards in Admissions and Recruitment

• The University adheres to the NACAC Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission, ensuring transparency and fairness in recruitment and admissions activities.
• The University follows the AACRAO Ethics and Practice Statement, promoting integrity in academic records, admissions, and financial aid administration.
• University-sponsored recruitment events comply with LACRAO College and Career Fair Guidelines to maintain ethical interactions with prospective students and their families.
• Employees must provide accurate and unbiased information about academic programs, financial aid options, and institutional policies.

Prohibition of Incentive-Based Recruitment

• The University refrains from providing commission, bonus, or other incentive payments based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid, including DoD tuition assistance funds.
• This prohibition applies to all individuals or entities engaged in student recruiting, admissions activities, or making decisions regarding student financial aid awards.

Prohibition of High-Pressure Recruitment Tactics

• The University does not engage in high-pressure recruitment tactics, including:
  • Making three or more unsolicited contacts (phone, email, in-person) with prospective students in a short timeframe.
  • Conducting same-day recruitment and registration to pressure students into enrollment decisions.
• These restrictions ensure compliance with the DoD Memorandum of Understanding.

Ethical Administration of Student Financial Assistance

• University employees comply with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Statement of Ethical Principles.
• No financial assistance action will be taken for personal benefit or in a manner that creates a conflict of interest.
  • Employees do not award aid to themselves or their immediate family members.
  • The University does not maintain a preferred lender list.
  • Borrowers’ choices of lenders will not be denied or impeded.
  • Employees will not accept cash, gifts, or benefits beyond a nominal amount from applicants, students, families, or entities doing business with the University.
• Financial aid information will be accurate, unbiased, and free from personal or institutional preference.
• Institutional award notifications will include:
  • A breakdown of cost of attendance, indicating billable charges.
  • Clear identification of each award type (grants, scholarships, loans, work-study).
  • Standardized terminology aligned with NASFAA’s glossary of award letter terms.
  • Renewal criteria for all awards.
• Required consumer information will be prominently displayed on the University’s website and in printed materials, labeled as Consumer Information Disclosures.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

• Employees must disclose any involvement, interest, or potential conflict of interest with entities that do business with the University.
• Employees involved in financial aid operations must not accept financial benefits in exchange for lender placement, advisory board service, or preferential treatment.

Communication

This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage and communicated to all relevant employees involved in admissions, recruitment, and financial aid administration.