Online College Network (“OCN”), a non-profit organization, has created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate its firm commitment to privacy. The following outlines the information gathering and dissemination practices for Online College Network.

OCN collects student information which is supplied directly and voluntarily from students and parents. We collect contact ("directory") information for students and their parents and specific information related to students’ school attendance, awards and honors, and academic, performing/visual arts, or athletic activities.

A student and the student's parents have the right to view any information about that student at any time. The student and the student's parents may correct, update, or delete any of the student's information at any time. The student and the student's parents may block the student's information from inclusion in searches by college, scholarship, and other educational or training organization personnel at any time.

The information collected by OCN is made available to OCN subscribers through a password-protected, online database searchable by numerous characteristics. The password-protected information is NOT available to the general public.

Only OCN, high school staff, subscribing colleges, and other organizations offering educational opportunities have access to student information, and only for the purpose of offering training or educational opportunities. Military recruiters have access to information of students ONLY IF students indicate they are interested in the military.

The information will be used by OCN for communication with appropriate opt-out provisions to students, parents, and educational personnel.

OCN does not offer or sell information or lists to sponsors or companies, and specifically does not offer or sell information or lists to banks, credit cards, financial aid companies, or scholarship application companies.

FERPA: The federal “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act” (FERPA) sets standards FOR SCHOOLS to follow in releasing student records. The law requires schools to get consent from parents before the school can release student records in some cases. Most schools have obtained parental approval to release information to colleges during the high school registration process; the student confirms parental consent on the first page of the OCN sign-up process. The student enters all data into OCN pertaining to the student’s academic, athletic, fine arts, extracurricular achievements and preferences.

The student is responsible for entering accurate data, and consents to having a school representative verify the information. The school representative cannot enter any data into OCN and, as a result, does not release any educational records or information about the student. OCN does not release any educational records or information about a student. OCN makes information entered by the student available to subscribing colleges, vocational schools, the military, and/or select employers who may have employment opportunities to offer.

Any parent who prefers not to have his or her child’s information made available to these OCN participants can block the information or have the information blocked by contacting OCN at any time. Students are given the option to block their information from view each time they login to OCN. This allows students to participate in the Lesson Plan, learn how to build a resume and update their achievements throughout the year, but not make that data available to anyone outside the high school. Schools that do not already have a “Parental Consent” form may click here to obtain a copy of an OCN parental consent form in PDF format. Additionally, see “Opt-Out/Update” below.

The OCN site uses an order form for the purchase of products and services. We collect purchasers’ contact information and credit card information. This information is used to facilitate the purchase process.

The OCN site uses cookies to keep track of shopping carts and to maintain information about the purchase process. Online purchases are routed, processed, and payment information secured through VeriSign 128-bit SSL Encryption, the highest standard in the industry.

At times, OCN may gather generic, aggregate data on the web site traffic or survey participants in the OCN program. This data would be used to enhance the web site and/or the OCN program. It would also be used to inform High Schools of the participation levels of their students in the OCN program.

Public Forums and Links to Other Sites:

OCN may make links to other sites available to its users. OCN is not responsible for information on these links or information that users may disclose to third parties while accessing such other links. Any information that is disclosed in areas such as chats, messages boards, etc. becomes public information; all users should exercise caution when deciding to disclose personal information.

Opt-Out/Update:

Participants may “Opt-Out” of communication received from OCN or they may contact OCN by clicking here.

Changes to this Policy:

We may update this policy. Should we make any significant changes in the way we treat personal information, we will notify OCN participants by placing a prominent notice on our site.

Contacting the Web Site:

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this web site, you can contact:

Online College Network
1499 Regal Row, Suite 201
Dallas, Texas 75247
214-678-0000