Higher Education Opportunity Act Consumer Information Disclosures

The information below is provided in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), which requires postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid to make certain disclosures to current and prospective students, employees, and the public. It also intended to maintain transparency to others.

Information Sharing &Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

Verve College School maintains complete confidentiality of student’s records as per FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) of 1974.

What is FERPA?

The Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (commonly known as the Buckley Amendment) is a federal law which provides that schools will maintain the confidentiality of student education records. The law basically says that no one outside the institution shall have access to students’ education records nor will the institution disclose any information from those records without the written consent of students. There are exceptions, of course, so that certain personnel within the institution may see the records, including persons in an emergency to protect the health or safety of students or other persons.

What is considered Directory Information?

In compliance with FERPA, the following statement reflects Verve College’s policy:
The following directory information may be released by telephone: a) student’s dates of attendance; b) date of graduation and degree or certificate earned. Other kinds of directory information, such as a student’s address, telephone listing, program of study, awards received, and the most recent previous  education agency or previous institution attended, will be released only in response to a written request. Verve College reserves the right to refuse the above information if the reason for the request is not considered to be a sufficient need to know. Information regarding the student’s record: grades, courses, GPA, social security number and other personal information will not be released without the student’s written consent.

However, the Act states that each student has the right to inform Verve College School that any or all of the information is not to be released. No  information will be released without the written consent of the student. This status is binding until such time that Verve College is notified in writing by the student to permit release of “directory information”.

What about . . . . ?

Parental Access to Children’s Education Records

At the postsecondary level, parents have no inherent rights to inspect a student’s education record. The right to inspect is limited solely to the student. Records may be released to parents only under the following circumstances: (1) through the written consent of the student, (2) in compliance with a subpoena, or (3) by producing a copy of the most recent Federal Income Tax form showing that the student was claimed as a dependent.

Posting of Grades by Faculty

The public posting of grades either by the student’s name, institutional student identification number, or security number without the student’s written permission is a violation of FERPA.

Each educational agency or institution shall annually notify parents of students currently in attendance, or eligible students currently in attendance, of their rights under the Act and this part.

The notice must inform parents or eligible students that they have the right to

1. Inspect and review the student’s education records;
2. Seek amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights;
3. Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that the Act authorize disclosure without consent; and
4. File with the Department a complaint under concerning alleged failures by the educational agency or institution to comply with the requirements of the Act and this part.

If a parent or eligible student believes the education records relating to the student contain information that is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the  student’s rights of privacy, he or she may ask the educational agency or institution to amend the record. The educational agency or institution shall decide whether to amend the record as requested within a reasonable time after the agency or institution receives the request. If the educational agency or institution decides not to amend the record as requested, it shall inform the parent or eligible student of its decision and of his or her right to a hearing.

A parent or eligible student may file a written complaint with the Office regarding an alleged violation under the Act and this part. The Office’s address is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202.