What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
Does FERPA give a parent the right to see the education record of their child?
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.
Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."
What information can be shared without permission?
Directory information, as defined by FERPA, is "information contained in a student's education record that generally would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed." A school can share this information with anyone without consent if the student has not invoked the right of non-disclosure of directory information.
FERPA allows but does not mandate the release of directory information which includes:
-
Name
-
Current address*
-
Major
-
Dates of attendance
-
Enrollment
-
Degree and date received
-
Previous education institutions attended
-
Eligibility and participation in officially recognized activities and sports
*Current address and phone number are considered restricted directory information. These items are only released if a legitimate educational interest is established.
What information is never shared without permission?
Non-directory information is never released without the student's official authorization. These items include but are not limited to:
-
Enrollment verification
-
Grade point average (GPA)
-
Academic standing
-
Grades or transcripts
-
Financial Information
What are a student's rights under FERPA?
Student rights under FERPA can be found in the College's Annual Notification of Rights Under FERPA.
What is a waiver of academic privacy?
Students must submit the FERPA Consent Form (found in your orientation packet) before the College will release the student's academic record to any third-party.
