Where we foster excellence in education that challenges students of every background to develop their intellect, character, and abilities; to assist students in achieving their educational and career goals; and to be responsive to the greater community.
Everyone who works for Imperial Valley College—officers, employees, and agents—must act professionally and honestly at all times, especially when dealing with student financial aid. This code follows rules from the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), which says that every school must create and enforce a code of conduct like this one.
This Code of Conduct applies to anyone working for Imperial Valley College.
1. Ban on revenue-sharing with any lender
Employees are not allowed to make deals with any lenders that give Title IV loans
to students attending IVC that involve sharing money or profits. This includes any
deal where a lender gives student loans and shares part of the money with the college
or its employees
2. Ban on Gifts from Loan Companies
People who work in the financial aid office are not allowed to ask for or accept gifts from lenders, guaranty agencies, or loan companies. A "gift" means any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, or other item having monetary value of more than a very small amount.
3. Ban on Side Jobs with Lenders
Financial aid employees cannot take any extra money or payments from lenders in return for doing consulting work or for signing any contract with lenders to provide services on educational loans.
4. Ban on Pushing Students Toward Specific Lenders or Delaying Loan Certification
Financial aid staff cannot assign loans for first-time borrowers to a certain or specific lender, through any process including the award packing process. Students must be free to choose their own lenders when taking out loans.
5. Ban on Offers of Money for Private Student Loans
The school is not allowed to ask for or accept money from any lender (a company that gives out loans) to give private student loans to students. This includes money for something called an "opportunity pool loan." An opportunity pool loan is a type of private student loan where the lender gives the student a loan, and the school pays the lender to help make that loan happen. The school also can’t make any deals or promises to the lender—like sending them a certain number of federal (Title IV) student loans, agreeing to a certain total loan volume or listing them as a preferred lender—in exchange for this money.
6. Ban on Loan Company Staff in the Office
The college can't ask loan companies, or accept any loan company offer, to send their employees to help in the financial aid office or a college call center. However, lenders are allowed to offer training and give out educational counseling materials.
7. Ban on Payments for Serving on Loan Company Boards
If a financial aid employee is part of a group or board created by a lender or guarantor, they are not allowed to accept any kind of payment or reward for being part of that group.