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Written by: Cody Brumfield
Published: 10/18/2007 Sallie Mae to Stop Using Freedom of Information Requests to Obtain Student Data
Sallie Mae, the nation's largest student loan provider, has said it will stop attempts to force colleges to reveal student contact information by using freedom of information requests, reports The Chronicle of Higher Education. The requests were made public following an investigation by the New America Foundation, a Washington, DC based advocacy group. Such requests are not illegal; however, the Education Department has issued guidance saying colleges can refuse requests for directory information made using federal or state freedom of information laws. Providing directory information is not a FERPA violation, although providing contact information of only those students receiving financial aid is illegal. A Sallie Mae spokesman said the lending giant is now “reaching out to colleges to clarify that it was never our intention to require them to provide us with information they would not willingly share to help students make informed decisions about their loan options.”
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