Consumer complaint received 2025-02-10 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer — Problem with customer service
Company: Servicer under contract with Federal Student Aid
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/XXXX Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX Subject : Formal Notification of FERPA Violation and Request for Student Loan Forgiveness To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally notify the Family Policy Compliance Office of a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ) of 1974 that has directly affected me. This letter serves as written notice of said violation within the 180-day reporting period, as required by FERPA regulations. 
Details of the Violation : As recently reported by Inside Higher Ed on XX/XX/XXXX ( and several other sources ), XXXX XXXX Government Efficiency Office ( DOGE ) gained unauthorized access to sensitive student data from the Department of Education, including data collected through FAFSA applications. This information, which includes personally identifiable information ( PII ) such as my financial, citizenship, and academic details, was accessed without my written consent, digital authorization, or any other form of permission. 
This constitutes a direct violation of FERPA, which mandates that educational institutions and government bodies can not disclose or grant access to such data without explicit consent from the student, except under specific, legally defined circumstances. To the best of my knowledge, no such legal exception applies to this situation.

Request for Action : This letter is sent via signature-requested delivery to ensure acknowledgment of receipt and to serve as an official request for : 1. Retention of this Notification : Please retain this letter as part of your official records documenting FERPA violations. 
2. Investigation and Representation : I demand that the Family Policy Compliance Office investigate this violation thoroughly and represent my interests in ensuring accountability.

3. Student Loan Forgiveness : Due to the unauthorized access and potential misuse of my personal information, I am requesting that my student loans be completely forgiven as a remedy for this breach of my privacy rights. 
4. Protection and Resolution : I demand assurance of my protection from any further misuse of my personal information and request detailed guidance on any additional steps I should take to escalate this complaint if necessary.

Precedents and Similar Cases : I understand that FERPA violations of this magnitude have resulted in significant legal and administrative consequences in the past, including the loss of federal funding for institutions found in violation. Given the scale and severity of this breach, I expect swift and decisive action. 
If there are any additional avenues available under FERPAs authority to address this violation and secure a resolution, including but not limited to legal recourse or federal intervention, I request that this information be provided promptly. 
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response and resolution of this serious violation.

Sincerely, D.R.O.

Concerned United States Business Owner and Citizen Ps. This letter, future communication included and not limited to USPS mailing services will be retained for further consumer protections.

Pss. I have included the direct FERPA personal information exposures as a result of my information having been accessed without notification. 

FERPA Act of XXXX and highlight specific violations related to XXXX XXXX Government Efficiency Office ( DOGE ) accessing FAFSA data.

Key Provisions of the FERPA Act of 1974 : 1. Rights of Students and Parents : - Students and parents have the right to inspect and review education records maintained by schools. 
- They can request that records be amended if they believe information is inaccurate or misleading. 
- They must provide written consent before personally identifiable information ( PII ) is disclosed to third parties. 

2. Conditions for Disclosure Without Consent ( 34 CFR 99.31 ) : - Disclosure is permitted without consent to : - School officials with a legitimate educational interest. 
- Other schools where the student is enrolling. 
- Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes. 
- Financial aid purposes to determine eligibility, conditions, or enforcement. 
- Unauthorized third parties ( like DOGE ) do not fall under these exceptions. 

3. Penalties for Violations : - Institutions violating FERPA can lose federal funding.

- Students may file complaints with the Family Policy Compliance Office ( FPCO ) within 180 days of the violation. 

-- - Direct Violations from XXXX and DOGE Accessing FAFSA Data : 1. Unauthorized Access to PII ( 34 CFR 99.30 ) : - Violation : Accessing FAFSA data without obtaining written consent from students.

- Explanation : FAFSA records include sensitive PII, and XXXX DOGE office does not qualify as an authorized party under FERPA. 

2. No Legitimate Educational Interest ( 34 CFR 99.31 ( a ) ( 1 ) ) : - Violation : DOGE does not meet the criteria of having a legitimate educational interest in student data.

- Explanation : Only officials directly involved in a student 's educational process can access such data.

3. Improper Disclosure to Third Parties ( 34 CFR 99.33 ) : - Violation : Sharing or accessing education records for purposes outside of federal aid processing or education evaluation. 
- Explanation : DOGE 's involvement appears unrelated to federal financial aid administration or educational oversight.

4. Failure to Notify Affected Students ( 34 CFR 99.7 ) : - Violation : Affected students were not informed that their data would be accessed by DOGE.

- Explanation : FERPA mandates that students be notified about who will access their data and why. 


For a complete copy of the FERPA Act -- you can access it directly from the U.S. Department of Educations website or through the Code of Federal Regulations ( 34 CFR Part 99 ).

Company response to consumer: Untimely response