NECF has established a policy for the release of and access to records containing information about a student.
- Each student enrolled at NECF shall have the right to inspect and review the contents of his/her education records, including grades, records of attendance and other information. Students are not entitled to inspect and review financial records of their parents. Parental access to a student´s records will be allowed without prior consent if the student is a dependent as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
- A student´s education records are defined as files, materials, or documents, including those in electronic format, that contain information directly related to the student and are maintained by the institution, except as provided by law. Access to a student´s education records is afforded to school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records, such as for purposes of recording grades, attendance, and advising, and determining financial aid eligibility.
- Students may request a review of their education records by submitting a written request to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The review will be allowed during regular school hours under appropriate supervision. Students may also obtain copies of their education records for a nominal charge.
- Students may request that the institution amend any of their education records, if they believe the record contains information that is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of their privacy rights. The request for change must be made in writing and delivered to the Registrar, with the reason for the requested change stated fully. Grades and course evaluations can be challenged only on the grounds that they are improperly recorded. The instructor or staff member involved will review the request, if necessary meet with the student, and then determine whether to retain, change, or delete the disputed data. If a student requests a further review, the Vice President for Academic Affairs will conduct a hearing, giving the student an opportunity to present evidence relevant to the disputed issues. The student will be notified of the Vice President´s decision, which will be the final decision of the school. Copies of student challenges and any written explanations regarding the contents of the student´s record will be retained as part of the student´s permanent record.
- Directory information is information on a student that the school may release to third parties without the consent of the student. NECF has defined directory information as the student´s name, address(es), telephone number(s), e-mail address, birth date and place, program undertaken, dates of attendance, honors and awards, and credential awarded. If a student does not want some or all of his or her directory information to be released to third parties without the student´s consent, the student must present such a request in writing to the Registrar within 10 days after the date of the student´s initial enrollment or by such later date as the institution may specify.
- The written consent of the student is required before personally identifiable information from education records of that student may be released to a third party, except for those disclosures referenced above, disclosures to accrediting commissions and government agencies, and other disclosures permitted by law.
- A student who believes that NECF has violated his or her rights concerning the release of or access to his or her records may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.