The financial aid director at the University of Texas signed an ethics policy prohibiting financial conflicts.

He later acquired stock in a company whose subsidiary he admits placing on a preferred student lender list.

Lawrence Burt said last month he wasn't aware of conflict of interest regulations except for one related to outside work.

Records obtained by the Austin American-Statesman show Burt signed documents in October 2001 acknowledging he understood and agreed with the conflict of interest rules.

Burt acquired stock in Direct Three Marketing, which later became Education Lending Group. The company formed Student Loan Xpress.

Burt has denied wrongdoing and has said he placed Student Loan Xpress on the list because it offered a "competitive product and good service."

The University of Texas System stopped posting its preferred lender list after New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo alleged that a loan company may have given a UT-Austin official stock in exchange for getting on the list.

Burt was placed on paid leave in April and the allegations are being investigated.