Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
WHAT IS FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (commonly known as the Buckley Amendment) is a federal law, which provides that colleges and universities will maintain the confidentiality of student education records. The law basically says that no one outside the institution shall have access to students’ education records nor will the institution disclose any information from those records without the written consent of students. There are exceptions, of course, so that certain personnel within the institution may see the records, including persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED DIRECTORY INFORMATION?
In compliance with FERPA, the following statement reflects the Pratt Institute’s policy.
The following directory information may be released by telephone: student’s dates of attendance, date of graduation, major field of study, and degree earned. Other kinds of directory information, such as a student’s address, email address, telephone listing, awards received, and the most recent previous education agency or previous institution attended will be released or verified only in response to a written/online request. Pratt Institute reserves the right to refuse the above information if the reason for the request is not considered to be a sufficient need-to-know.
Information regarding the student’s record: parents name, grades, courses, GPA, social security number, birth date, and other personal information will not be released without the student’s written consent.
View additional FERPA information.
Health and Safety
WHAT DO STUDENTS DO WHEN THEY GET SICK?
The Health Center is staffed by medical professionals who help students address medical concerns including accident and injury, reproductive health care, physical health maintenance (chronic illness, physicals, prescription management, etc), testing, and referrals. If a student is feeling unwell, having trouble managing their care, or has questions about health, Pratt Health Services is an invaluable resource. To learn more about their services, go to their website.
The office is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. If a student has a medical emergency after hours or over the weekend, they should call 911.
WHAT SUPPORTS ARE IN-PLACE FOR STUDENT WELL-BEING?
We are dedicated to creating a culture where the entire Pratt community can flourish and thrive. Together, students will gain the creative and life skills that build meaning and engagement during their time at Pratt and after graduation. There are a number of resources, curricular, and co-curricular opportunities for students to engage in their own well-being.
We define well-being as: Our perception of our life and our level of satisfaction and contentment. Living life positively and feeling good. This includes happiness, a sense of purpose, and flow.
The Resilience, Wellness, and Well-being Project and Council (RWW) provides resources, tiered support and self-care, staff, student and faculty training and development, and related initiatives for alumni. For more information about specific projects and initiatives, check out our calendar, website, or students can email RWW@pratt.edu
Pratt Health Promotion helps community members explore the connection between healthy living, learning, and well-being through educational campaigns, interactive programs, technical assistance (such as Narcan Training), and direct service.
Health Promotion is also dedicated to educating students about nutrition and sustainability in an effort to reduce food waste and food insecurity in the Pratt community. They manage the campus Food Pantry and provide resources for those currently in or who want to assist those dealing with food insecurity. More information can be found here or by emailing HealthPromotion@pratt.edu
ARE STUDENTS REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE?
All Pratt students are required to have medical insurance. The Pratt student health insurance is provided through Aetna Student Health, a partner of Aetna. The policy is a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), which has a network of providers and facilities agreeing to provide treatment at pre-negotiated rates. Although you may go out of network, this will increase out-of-pocket expenses. A brochure outlining the policy is available online on our website and through Aetna’s student Health Portal.
HOW CAN STUDENTS WAIVE HEALTH INSURANCE IF THEY ARE ALREADY INSURED?
Students can go to the Student Health Insurance page to register for, or waive the insurance. Your student will be directed to create an account and enter his/her current insurance policy information. Your student should have his/her insurance information available as he/she goes online to register. After registering, an email confirmation will be sent. Waivers must be completed must be completed every Fall semester and last for the entire academic year.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO ENSURE MY STUDENT’S SAFETY?
Generally, Pratt is a safe place, but crime may happen anywhere. You can educate your student about safety on and around the campus community by teaching your student ways to keep property safe (such as taking portable electronics with them at all times, locking doors, and locking bikes), and by letting them know that personal and property safety are individual responsibilities. View additional campus safety information.
WHAT DO STUDENTS DO IF THEY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS OR WANT TO SPEAK TO A COUNSELOR?
The Counseling Center offers consultation appointments, short-term therapy, referrals to off-campus treatment therapists/providers, group therapy, and more. Students are seen individually by appointment unless there is an emergency. Students who are experiencing a crisis can talk to a therapist 24/7 by calling 718-687- 5356. To make an appointment for a consultation with a therapist, call 718-687-5356 or email THERAPY@PRATT.EDU.
Students who are interested in support for drug and alcohol concerns, or would like to learn more about joining Pratt’s College Recovery Community, Clean Cats (#prattcrc), can be sent to this page
Campus and Student Life
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ADJUSTMENTS DURING THE FIRST YEAR?
First year students are faced with the transition to a college schedule and workload, being away from home, being on their own, and managing their money. It is a rough transition but can be made much easier if support is made readily available from home. Keeping in touch with your student is important, but allowing your student to have their independence and grow on their own is the key to a smooth first year and start to a college career.
WHERE CAN THEY STUDY?
Pratt has a Library and Student Union on the Brooklyn campus where tables and work spaces are available for studying. On the Pratt Manhattan Campus, there is space on the 7th floor to work and study. Students choose to study where they feel most comfortable, whether that be in their rooms/apartments, the dining hall on campus, or the coffee shops and cafes in the surrounding area.
WHAT KIND OF MEAL PLAN OPTIONS DOES MY STUDENT HAVE?
Pratt offers a number of meal plans that cater to how regularly your student wants to grab food or coffee on campus such as the main dining hall, convenience store in Willoughby Hall, or other campus locations . The meal plans are designed on a debit card system on their ID cards; the student’s meal plan points decrease as the student purchases items. A meal plan point equals one dollar, however, the cost of meal plans is fixed and unused points will not be refunded at the end of the semester (for optional plans) or year (for mandatory plans). Points not used on Yearly Plans in the Fall semester are added to the Spring semester allotment. All unused points at the end of the academic year are forfeited.
All students living in Stabile, ELJ, Emerson Place, and Pantas, and all first-year students under the age of 21 living anywhere on campus (including Grand Avenue) are required to have either a M3 or M4 annual meal plan. Students not living in the aforementioned areas, upperclassmen, and commuters may opt for a year long or semester only plan.
With all meal plans, students have the option to add points at any time during the semester in $25 increments. This process is done online.
You can find more information about meal plans here.
DO STUDENTS NEED A CAR?
At Pratt, just as in New York City, a car is a luxury and not a necessity. Public transportation is the most efficient way to travel around New York City. The Brooklyn campus is conveniently located a few blocks away from the G train, and the Manhattan campus is by the F, L, M, 1,2,3 trains. If your student does decide to have a car on campus, parking must be considered. Parking on campus is by permit only and availability is extremely limited.
WHAT SHOULD MY STUDENT BRING?
Your student is provided a room, bed (twin extra-long), a drafting table or desk, chair, dresser, and window coverage. Sheets, towels, bathroom toiletries, and other necessities and luxuries may be brought from home. There are various stores in the area where supplies can be purchased, so if something is forgotten at home it shouldn’t be too much cause for worry. Something to consider, however, is that there isn’t too much space in the rooms, so minimalism is key for a more comfortable living space. View more information about residence hall rooms.
MY STUDENT IS HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THEIR ROOMMATE, HOW CAN YOU HELP?
The first step would be for your student to have a talk with their roommate to determine the root of the problem and if there are ways to fix it. If the problem persists, however, a Resident Assistant (RA) can be consulted to mediate and further action can be taken if necessary.
Academics
HOW DO STUDENTS REGISTER FOR CLASSES?
The first semester a new first year student enters Pratt, they are pre-registered for classes by academic advising once the student submits the pre-registration form. New transfer students can be pre-registered their first semester or meet with an academic advisor. Every other semester, all students need to meet with their academic advisor to select courses. More information can be found here: Undergraduate Advisement
WHAT KIND OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT DO YOU OFFER?
Pratt offers the Writing and Tutorial Center (WTC) which provides academic assistance from individual or small group writing tutorials to specific tutoring in various subjects and across all levels of intensity on both a scheduled and walk-in basis. More information about the WTC can be founnd here.
Another department that offers support is the Learning/Access Center (L/AC). They provide academic coaching and tutoring services available to all Pratt students at both the Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses. Students can choose from either walk-in sessions or scheduled appointments. The L/AC also coordinates access for students with disabilities. More information about the L/AC can be found here.
DO STUDENTS NEED A COMPUTER ON CAMPUS?
Students in the following programs have required hardware specific to their degrees: Architecture (both undergraduate and graduate), City and Regional Planning, B.F.A in Film, M.S. or M.F.A. in Communications Design, and Interior Design.
Other majors have recommended hardware.
View the requirements and additional information.
If you have any questions concerning these programs, please email techsupport@pratt.edu.
Financial Aid and Tuition
HOW CAN MY STUDENT GET FINANCIAL AID?
All students requesting financial aid consideration should contact the Office of Student Financial Services at Pratt for a financial aid estimate after filing the FAFSA.
To be considered for most kinds of financial aid, applicants must complete the FAFSA by March 1 since most aid is need-based. The Presidential merit-based scholarship, International Merit Scholarship, National Scholastic Scholarships, do not require completion of the FAFSA. We do encourage all families to submit the FAFSA, however, in order to qualify for all aid possible. View more information.
Once students are accepted, they will receive notification by email that their financial aid package is posted online. Pratt students who wish to attend summer school or study abroad must also fill out the Summer Application for Financial Aid.
HOW CAN TUITION BE PAID? AND WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DOES PRATT ACCEPT?
Pratt Institute will no longer accept debit/credit cards directly in-person, by mail, fax, or over the phone for payment of tuition, housing, meal plan, and fees. However, debit/credit cards can be used to pay online through Point & Pay via your MyPratt Portal account. Point & Pay is an independent third party processor who accepts payments credit card payments and charges a non-refundable convenience fee based on the amount charged. Credit card payments will incur a fee of 2.5% PER TRANSACTION which is assessed by Point & Pay, our third party payment processor and not Pratt.
For checking or savings account debits, we encourage you to use the electronic check (ACH bank transfer from a U.S. checking or savings account) option so that you are not assessed a convenience fee. Other alternative payment methods include traveler’s checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, and cash (in person only).
Cash and paper checks can be processed at the Student Financial Services window on the 6th floor of Myrtle Hall during normal business hours. All paper checks must be payable to Pratt Institute in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. Please include your student ID number on the check. We do not accept foreign coins or currency for payment.
International Students can use FlyWire to make tuition payments. Additional information is available at www.flywire.com
View additional information regarding Billing and Tuition payments.