FERPA Annual Notice - Student Privacy Rights

Education records are records, files, documents, and other materials that (1) contain information directly related to a student, and (2) are maintained by HPI or by a party acting for HPI. Education records include but are not limited to:

• Enrollment records and transcripts
• Grades, course records, and academic standing documentation
• Financial aid records and billing history
• Disciplinary records
• Attendance records
• Clinical placement documentation

Education records do NOT include: sole-possession records used only by the creator, law enforcement records maintained by security, records about employees who are not also students, or records created after the student's attendance has ended about events occurring after enrollment ended.

1. Right to Inspect and Review

Students have the right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of submitting a written request identifying the specific records they wish to inspect. To request access, contact the Student Services office in writing at: HPI Student Services, 2451 W. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235.

2. Right to Request Amendment

Students may request amendment of any portion of their education records they believe to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights. To do so, submit a written request to the HPI Student Services office identifying the specific record, the portion believed to be inaccurate, and why. HPI will notify the student of its decision within a reasonable time. If HPI decides not to amend the record, the student has the right to a hearing and, if the hearing does not result in amendment, to place a written statement in the record.

3. Right to Control Disclosure

Students have the right to consent to the disclosure of their education records, except in circumstances permitted by FERPA without prior consent. The primary exception permitting disclosure without consent is disclosure to "school officials" with a legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by HPI in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff capacity; a person on the Board of Directors; or a contractor performing services on behalf of HPI. A legitimate educational interest exists when the official needs to review the record to fulfill their professional responsibility.

4. Right to File a Complaint

Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning HPI's alleged failures to comply with FERPA requirements. The office responsible for investigating complaints is:

FERPA permits disclosure of education records without student consent in the following circumstances, among others:

• To school officials with a legitimate educational interest (as described above)
• To officials of other schools where the student is seeking to enroll or is enrolled
• To federal, state, and local education authorities for audit or evaluation purposes
• In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or received
• To accrediting organizations carrying out their accrediting functions
• To parents of an eligible student who is a dependent under the IRS tax code
• To comply with a lawful judicial order or subpoena
• In health or safety emergencies where knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals
• To state and local officials as required by laws enacted before November 19, 1974

Students who wish to authorize HPI to share their education records with a specific third party - such as a parent, guardian, employer, or scholarship sponsor - must complete a FERPA Release Authorization form, available from the Student Services office. Authorizations may be general or specific to particular records or purposes. Authorization may be revoked at any time in writing.

Employer tuition reimbursement requests typically require a current enrollment verification letter. Students should request this from Student Services and complete a FERPA Release if necessary so HPI can communicate directly with the employer.