Consumer complaint received 2025-02-28 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan — Problem with forgiveness, cancellation, or discharge
Company: Nelnet, Inc.
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
U.S. Department of Education Subject : Formal Complaint of FERPA Violation and Demand for Compensation To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally address the violation of my rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ), 20 U.S.C. 1232g, and 15 U.S.C. 1611 ( 1 ) by the U.S. Department of Education ( DOE ). My confidential student information was unlawfully disclosed to a third party without my written consent, in direct violation of FERPAs privacy protections. Additionally, this unauthorized disclosure constitutes a violation under 15 U.S.C. 1611 ( 1 ), which governs fraudulent and unlawful financial reporting practices. 

Violation of My FERPA Rights and 15 U.S.C. 1611 ( 1 ) FERPA explicitly prohibits the unauthorized release of students educational records and personally identifiable information ( PII ) without prior, written consent from the student ( or parent if the student is a minor ), except in limited circumstances outlined in 34 C.F.R. 99.31. The DOE, by disclosing my private educational information without my authorization, failed to uphold its legal obligations.

Additionally, under 15 U.S.C. 1611 ( 1 ), any willful and knowing falsification or misrepresentation of financial information related to a consumer is considered a violation of federal law. The unlawful dissemination of my financial and student loan information without consent has directly impacted my credit standing and financial stability.

Multiple Violations and Financial Harm It has come to my attention that there are 18 separate loans under my name that were subject to unauthorized disclosure. Each loan represents two distinct violations of my rights : {$1000.00} per violation per loan under FERPA.

{$5000.00} per violation per loan under 15 U.S.C. 1611 ( 1 ).

This results in {$6000.00} per loan in compensation. With 18 loans affected, I am entitled to a total of {$100000.00} in damages due to these violations.

Demand for Resolution I request that the Department of Education : 1.Provide a detailed report outlining which entities received my information, the specific data that was disclosed, and under what authority this release was made.

2.Cease all unauthorized disclosures of my educational and financial records.


3.Compensate me in the amount of {$100000.00} for the 18 separate violations, in accordance with FERPA and 15 U.S.C. 1611 ( 1 ).

4.Immediately cancel all outstanding student debt tied to my name due to the unlawful handling of my records.

5.Ensure the removal of all derogatory credit reporting related to this violation from all reporting agencies and any third parties that have received my data.

Failure to adequately address this complaint may result in legal action to enforce my rights under FERPA and 15 U.S.C. 1611 ( 1 ). I expect a formal response within 30 days of receipt of this letter.

Please direct all future correspondence regarding this matter to my contact information listed above.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation