Financial Aid Philosophy
Financial Aid Mission
The Tepper School of Business Financial Aid Office (FAO) provides support to students applying for educational funding and, to the extent possible, helps them to address financial constraints that limit access to higher education. The FAO supports the School's goal of enrolling and graduating a diverse group of top qualified students by facilitating the financial aid process and by serving as an educational resource to prospective and current students.
A fundamental characteristic of a successful and timely financial aid process is that it is proactive, requiring action and communication between the student, the FAO, and, in many cases, external participants. We encourage and expect engagement on the part of the student in order to effectively facilitate students' financial aid processes.
The philosophy of The Tepper School of Business FAO includes a core set of objectives developed to support Tepper graduate students in their goal of achieving advanced degrees.
Our primary objectives are to:
- Foster a high-student-service environment
- Provide effective and timely communications to Tepper School of Business graduate students, alumni, Tepper School and Carnegie Mellon staff and business partners
- Treat students with respect and empathy based on their unique and individual needs
- Comply with institutional policies and federal and state regulations governing the student aid programs
- Always act in the best interest of the student within the confines of institutional policies and federal and state regulations
- Ensure confidentiality of students data and all personal information shared orally or in writing with the FAO.
- Seek new knowledge through training and remain current on financial aid options for students
In addition to meeting the objectives established by our office, all FAO staff members adhere to the University's Federal and Private Loans and Lender Relationships Code of Conduct and accept and follow the ethical standards adopted by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
Statement of Ethical Principles: National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
The primary goal of the financial aid professional is to help students achieve their educational potential by providing appropriate financial resources. To this end, this statement provides the financial aid professional with a set of principles that serves as a common foundation for accepted standards of conduct.
The financial aid professional shall:
Be committed to removing financial barriers for those who wish to pursue postsecondary learning.
Make every effort to assist students with financial need.
Be aware of the issues affecting students and advocate their interests at the institutional, state, and federal levels.
Support efforts to encourage students, as early as the elementary grades, to aspire to and plan for education beyond high school.
Educate students and families through quality consumer information.
Respect the dignity and protect the privacy of students, and ensure the confidentiality of student records and personal circumstances.
Ensure equity by applying all need analysis formulas consistently across the institution's full population of student financial aid applicants.
Provide services that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or economic status.
Recognize the need for professional development and continuing education opportunities.
Promote the free expression of ideas and opinions, and foster respect for diverse viewpoints within the profession.
Commit to the highest level of ethical behavior and refrain from conflict of interest or the perception thereof.
Maintain the highest level of professionalism, reflecting a commitment to the goals of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
