You might be surprised at just how much power colleges and universities have over their students. The U.S. government closely regulates the way K-12 schools operate, with rules and regulations that cover everything from what subjects districts must teach to what gets served in the lunch room. Traditionally, institutions of higher education have been left to regulate themselves, though.

That has begun to change. Both state and federal governments have passed recent legislation that limits schools' authority and helps to prevent predatory practices. Below, for instance, you'll find information about new federal policies designed to ensure students have access to their transcripts.

Before we get into that, though, it's important you know that any time your school is mistreating you, there's help available. The Lento Law Firm was founded to help students get the rights they deserve. We know the law; we know how your school works, and we're dedicated to helping you succeed.

To find out more, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.

Your Right to Your Transcript

Your transcript is a crucial part of your education. You can go to class, study, take exams, and write papers, but if those things aren't recorded on your transcript or you can't access your transcript, it's like they never happened.

Even if you haven't yet graduated, even if you never manage to graduate, you deserve access to your transcript. You need it, for example, in order to transfer to another institution. And even if you don't have a degree, the coursework you've taken can be important in securing a job. If you can't access that transcript, though, it does you no good.

Unfortunately, a number of schools, especially for-profit schools, have developed predatory practices over the years designed to keep their bottom lines healthy, often at the expense of their students' rights. One of these practices involves refusing to release transcripts until students pay what they owe. The problem with this particular practice is that students can owe for a single semester but lose access to their entire transcript.

However, new rules from the Department of Education, passed in early October 2023, bar such practices, at least when federal funds are involved. Specifically, it requires schools to release transcript information related to any term in which a student uses federal dollars to pay for any part of any course.

This is an important step in the right direction and may signal even more government oversight of higher education is coming. For now, though, for-profit schools continue to look for ways to prey on their own students. If you've encountered these kinds of tactics, remember that you do have rights. More importantly, you don't have to deal with these situations all on your own. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm is here to help you get fair treatment from your college or university.

Trust the Lento Law Firm

The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are focused on educational law. They've worked with hundreds of students, just like you, and they know how colleges and universities operate. No matter what type of problem you may be facing, you can count on the Lento Law Firm to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the very best possible resolution to your case.

For more information, call 888-535-3686 today or use the automated online form.