American Professional Institute
Financial Planning Department
Code of Conduct

1. Comply with laws, regulations and American Professional Institute’s standards:   we must comply with federal laws, regulations and API standards as outlined in this code and other API policies.  We expect all Financial Planning staff members to deal fairly with all students.

2. The code of conduct applies to officers, employees and agents of API and must also prohibit employees of the financial aid office from receiving gifts from a lender, guaranty agency or loan servicer.

3. The code of conduct prohibits financial aid office staff ( or other employees or agents with responsibilities with respect to education loans) from accepting compensation for :

   a ) Any type of consulting arrangement or contract to provide services to or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans; and

   b) Services on an advisory board, commission, or group established by lenders or guarantors, except for reimbursement for reasonable expenses.

4. Speak up:  we must speak up if we suspect any actual, planned or potential behavior that may breach any laws, regulations or API standards.

5. Reject bribery and corruption:  we must not give or accept bribes or engage in any form of corruption.  This includes revenue –sharing arrangements with any lender.  Steering borrowers to particular lenders or delaying loan certifications.

6. Avoid being compromised by gifts and entertainment:  we must not offer, give or accept inappropriate gifts or benefits to or from third parties.  Offers of funds for private loans to students in exchange for providing concessions or promises to the lender for a specified loan volume, or a preferred lender arrangement.

7. Prevent fraud and financial representation:  we must comply with laws, regulations and API standards on financial integrity and fraud prevention.

8. Avoid conflicts of interests:  we must take steps to avoid conflicts of interest.  If we identify potential conflicts of interest, we must take action to resolve and manage them in an open and honest manner.

9. Protect and ensure proper use of company assets:  we must protect API’s assets and ensure that they are used efficiently and for legitimate business purposes.

10. Accurately represent API.

11. Resolve customer complaints quickly and fairly:  we must ensure that all complaints are resolved quickly, fairly and recorded appropriately.

12. Respect confidently and protect data:  we must respect laws, regulations and API standards governing confidentiality of information and data protection.

13. Treat our people fairly:  we must treat our colleagues with fairness and respect, help them grow, enable individuals to make a difference.

14. Be open and honest with our regulators:  we must demonstrate exemplary governance wherever we are.

15. Comply with the Student Loan Code of Conduct.