FERPA & Student Record Privacy

Information security

Berk Trade & Business School carefully protects student information in its possession. Student education records are maintained in secure physical and/or electronic systems, with role-based access controls and other internal safeguards designed to limit access to authorized school personnel and approved institutional service providers.

The School does not publicly disclose detailed security procedures, as doing so could compromise the effectiveness of those protections. Access to personally identifiable information is restricted to authorized school officials who need the information to carry out their professional responsibilities.

School officials

Under FERPA, the School may disclose education records without prior written student consent to certain school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the information. A legitimate educational interest exists when the information is necessary for a school official to fulfill professional responsibilities related to the student’s education, student services, institutional operations, compliance, or financial aid administration.

School officials may include:

• Faculty members.
• Administrators and school leadership.
• Registrar’s Office personnel.
• Financial Aid staff.
• Contractors or service providers performing institutional services on the School’s behalf, provided they are subject to appropriate confidentiality and compliance requirements.

Disclosure to a school official does not authorize that individual to share the information with an outside third party unless another FERPA exception applies or the student has provided written consent.

Student rights under FERPA

Eligible students have the following rights under FERPA:

• The right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days after the School receives a written request.
• The right to request amendment of education records believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights.
• The right to provide written consent before the School discloses personally identifiable information from education records, except where FERPA permits disclosure without consent.
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning an alleged failure by the School to comply with FERPA requirements.

Request to inspect records

A student who wishes to inspect and review education records should submit a written request to the Registrar identifying the specific record or records the student wishes to review. The School will arrange access within the timeframe required by FERPA and will notify the student of the time and manner in which the records may be inspected.

Request to amend records

A student who believes a record is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate under FERPA may submit a written request to the Registrar identifying the portion of the record to be changed and explaining why the change is requested. If the School decides not to amend the record as requested, the student will be informed of the decision and of any applicable right to a hearing under institutional procedure.

Disclosure of records

Berk Trade & Business School does not release student education records without the student’s written consent except as permitted by FERPA. Permitted disclosures may include disclosures to school officials with legitimate educational interest; federal, state, and accrediting agencies for audit, evaluation, or compliance purposes; financial aid authorities; organizations conducting studies on behalf of the School; authorized representatives of the U.S. Department of Education; parties responding to a lawfully issued subpoena or judicial order; and appropriate parties in connection with a health or safety emergency.

Directory information

Berk Trade & Business School designates the following items as directory information:

• Student name.
• Program of study.
• Dates of attendance.
• Credential or diploma awarded.
• Enrollment status.

The School may disclose directory information without prior written consent unless the student submits a written request to opt out of directory information disclosure in accordance with School procedure.

Transcript requests

Students and former students must submit a written request for the release of official transcripts through approved institutional channels. To protect confidentiality, the School requires identity verification before processing transcript requests, which may include government-issued identification, student identification number, or other approved authentication procedures.

Reasonable processing fees may apply, and all required fees must be paid before transcripts are released.

Annual notification

Berk Trade & Business School provides students with annual notice of their FERPA rights through institutional channels including the Academic Catalog and student orientation. These notifications explain students’ rights to inspect and review records, request amendment, consent to disclosures where required, and file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA complaints

Students may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education regarding alleged failures by the School to comply with FERPA.

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

Contact information

Registrar’s Office
Berk Trade & Business School
40-09 21st Street, 5th Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-729-0909