Code of Ethics
Our Commitment to Integrity, Fairness, and Confidentiality
To ensure a fair, transparent, and ethical scholarship process, all committee members and reviewers follow a strict Code of Ethics that protects applicants, donors, and the integrity of the program.
This Code outlines the principles and responsibilities that guide every phase of our selection and decision-making process.
1. Integrity & Accountability
All members of the Education Committee commit to:
- Act honestly, impartially, and in the best interest of the applicants and the Give Hope Fund.
- Make decisions based solely on the published rubric and eligibility criteria.
- Uphold the rules, policies, and procedures approved by the AACC Board.
- Maintain professionalism in all interactions with applicants, families, and donors.
Committee members serve with the understanding that scholarship decisions carry meaningful impact and, therefore, require responsible stewardship.
2. Confidentiality
To protect applicant privacy:
- All application materials, interviews, scoring sheets, and internal discussions are strictly confidential.
- Information about applicants — including personal details, financial situations, or committee comments — may not be shared outside the Education Committee.
- All data is stored securely in the Give Hope Fund’s Google Workspace Drive with restricted access, as defined in our data-security policy.
- Committee members must maintain confidentiality even after their term ends.
Confidentiality builds trust and protects the dignity and safety of every applicant.
3. Impartiality & Fair Selection
Scholarship decisions must be free from bias, favoritism, and outside influence.
Committee members agree to:
- Score applications using the official rubric only.
- Evaluate all applicants equitably without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, or background.
- Avoid giving preferential treatment to any individual or group.
- Base decisions solely on the applicant’s merits, financial need, and the strength of required materials.
The Give Hope Fund is committed to a process that is transparent, ethical, and merit-based.
4. Conflicts of Interest & Recusal
To guarantee fairness:
- Committee members must disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest related to an applicant.
- A conflict exists if the reviewer is a family member, close friend, mentor, employer, or otherwise personally connected to the applicant.
- Members with conflicts must recuse themselves from:
- Scoring the applicant
- Participating in discussions about the applicant
- Voting on decisions related to that applicant
Applicants are also required to answer the question:
“Are you related to anyone on the AACC Education Committee?”
This ensures the appropriate recusal process is followed.
5. Donor Independence & Non-Influence
Donors, partners, or sponsors:
- Do not participate in the selection process.
- Do not receive access to application materials.
- May not influence committee decisions or outcomes.
All awards are made solely by the Education Committee through the rubric-based scoring system.
This ensures that every scholarship is awarded fairly and without external pressure.
6. Ethical Use of Applicant Information
All applicant information is:
- Used only for evaluating scholarship eligibility.
- Stored securely through Google Workspace with limited access.
- Shared only under two exceptions:
- Required government audit
- AACC Board majority votes for compliance or accountability purposes
No information is ever sold, shared, or used for marketing without explicit consent.
7. Compliance With Governance & Oversight
The Education Committee:
- Operates under the oversight of the AACC Board.
- Follows all rules outlined in the committee’s governance structure.
- Reports annually on the program’s procedures, outcomes, and compliance with ethical standards.
The Committee Chair is responsible for ensuring all members understand and follow this Code of Ethics.
8. Enforcement & Violations
Violations of the Code of Ethics may result in:
- Removal from the Education Committee.
- Loss of access to application data.
- Reporting to the AACC Board for further action.
Upholding the Code is essential to protecting the integrity of the Give Hope Fund.