Obtaining Personal Records Under The Personal Privacy Protection Law (PPPL)

The Personal Privacy Protection Law

The Personal Privacy Protection Law (PPPL) enables you to access and/or correct information HESC has on file which pertains to you. It also regulates the disclosure of personal information to persons authorized by law to have access for official use. 

The information on this page will help you determine the steps you need to take to get access to and/or correct your personal information. 

Personal Records You Can Access/Correct

Only personal information maintained by HESC is available from HESC. Only information which contains a name, number, symbol, mark or other identifier that can be used to identify you is accessible. Personal information exempt from disclosure and/or correction by statute or law is not accessible.

Making a Request

Requests for access/correction must include enough information to enable a search. In addition to a name or other available identifiers, the request should include the HESC program for which the information was collected (if known), the approximate dates involved, and any known units or locations where information was collected or submitted.

Proof of Identity

Depending on the circumstances of the personal privacy request, validation or proof of the identity of a requestor may be required. If such validation or proof is necessary for your request, you will be notified. 

Submitting Your Request

A request for access to and/or correction of a personal privacy record may be sent by mail or FAX to:

Personal Privacy Protection Law (PPPL) Compliance Officer
Office of Counsel
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
99 Washington Avenue, 13th Floor
One Commerce Plaza
Albany, New York 12255
FAX: (518) 486-6515

A request for access to and/or correction of a personal privacy record may also be submitted electronically.

After Your Request Is Received

Within five business days of receipt of your request, the PPPL Officer will:

  • Make your records available to you in their entirety; or
  • Deny your request in whole or in part with a written explanation; or
  • Acknowledge your request and provide the approximate date when the request will be responded to. The approximate date provided shall not exceed thirty (30) days from the date of your written request.

If your request is denied, explanation of your right to an appeal will be provided.

Cost/Inspection of Records

HESC provides records free of charge as allowed by law. We may charge for: the cost of paper copies at twenty-five cents per page, the cost of storage devices or media provided to the requestor in response to the request, postage, the cost of response preparation in excess of two hours or the cost incurred if an outside entity is required to prepare a response due to technology constraints, When a fee to respond to your request is anticipated, HESC will obtain your consent before proceeding with your request.

You may avoid fees for reproduction or provision (if you are notified that such fees apply) by contacting the PPPL Officer and arranging to inspect the records in person.

Amending Your Records

You may request that HESC correct or amend your records. To do so, contact the PPPL Officer as above, to make such a request, outlining the changes you request. Within 30 days of HESC's receipt of such a request, HESC will:

  • Make the correction requested in whole or in part, and inform you that upon request the correction will be provided to any person or governmental unit to whom the personal information has been disclosed; or
  • Inform you that the record will not be altered and provide an explanation.

 

Further Information

The Committee on Open Government (COOG) is responsible for providing guidance regarding the PPPL. For further information on the Committee or PPPL, please visit http://www.dos.ny.gov/coog/index.html

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