Because of the seriousness of the issues surrounding real and perceived improprieties between schools and lenders that have recently developed, it is clear that SCASFAA must revise its policies and procedures regarding our solicitation of support from sponsors beginning with the 2007-08 year.  It is important, however, that SCASFAA’s policies and procedures be generally consistent with those of the financial aid community.
 
NASFAA has adopted a revised Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct that proved very useful as a guide in the development of these guidelines.  As financial aid professionals, we fully embrace spirit of the NASFAA code of conduct and do not shy away from our belief in strong ethical principles. 
 
The SCASFAA Board has adopted the attached Sponsorship Guidelines that will serve as the basis for a more fully defined set of sponsorship policies and procedures.  These guidelines will be monitored, evaluated and amended as events dictate. 

1. Targeted, Specific Item or Event Sponsorship
   SCASFAA will no longer seek or accept sponsorship for specific association activities or events such as dinners, lunches, conference lanyards, conference bags or portfolios, refreshment breaks, program printing, etc…  Also categories or tiers of support and designation of sponsorship according to levels such as Patron, Sponsor, Contributor and Friend are eliminated.  Rather, support for the general activities of the association will be solicited, and this support will not be tied to any particular item or event. 
    
2. General Association Support
   Because sponsorship levels are eliminated, sponsorship other than that designated for exhibiting or advertising will be classified as general support of the association. 
    
3. Exhibiting
   Previously, exhibiting at our two conferences was incorporated into a specific level of support.  With the elimination of sponsorship levels, exhibiting at our conferences will become a separate, distinct sponsorship category.  Exhibition rates are provided on our web site. 
    
4. Advertising
   SCASFAA will provide advertising opportunities for sponsors to utilize.  Advertising will be accepted for both our newsletter and web site banner ads.  Advertising is now included in the general sponsorship fee.  Our newsletter, Palmetto Pages will now be on on-line newsletter.
    
5. Complimentary Membership and Conference Registrations
   Complimentary membership in the association based on sponsorship and complimentary conference registration attached to sponsorship is eliminated.  Sponsors will need to follow regular membership application procedures and pay the association's membership fee.  They must also register for conferences as any member would and pay the conference registration fee.  Both of these processes are provided on the SCASFAA web site. 
    
6. Door Prizes
   Sponsor-provided door prizes and scholarships will no longer be permitted at any conference or association sponsored event. 
    
7. Limitation on Marketing Items during Events
   At conferences or any SCASFAA event, sponsors are prohibited from providing any marketing items with a value in excess of $10.  Items of nominal value such as pens, pencils, note pads and other office supply-type items are acceptable as long as their value is under $10.   
    
8. Vendor-sponsored Food/Beverage Events
   Under these guidelines, if a sponsor wants to provide any type of food or beverage event for our membership, the event must be open to all attendees of the conference, workshop or meeting.  Additionally, it must be clear that all attendees are invited and no limited, targeted or special invitations would be permitted.  Should a sponsor wish to do this, it must be pre-approved by the SCASFAA president and sponsorship chair and shared with all of the membership  and executed through the association. 
    
9. Vendor Provided Dinners/Lunches/Other Activities at Association Events
   Sponsors are not permitted to provide any type of meal, entertainment, or other recreational event to members either on- or off-premises during an association sponsored event, other than one that is provided for the entire membership as stipulated under these guidelines.   
    
10. Sponsorship Recognition
    SCASFAA wants to recognize the support that we receive from our sponsors.  We will print a list of sponsors in our conference programs in alphabetical order with no specific designation other than the sponsors’ name. We will do likewise with other association sponsored training events and workshops as appropriate.  We will also list the sponsors’ names on our web site. 
     
    There will no longer be any SCASFAA sponsored appreciation reception or any other type of association-sponsored appreciation event for our sponsors.