FERPA protects your privacy

The act gives students the right to:

• Inspect and review their educational records
• Seek amendment to records they consider inaccurate or misleading
• Consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information
• File complaints with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures of the college to comply with FERPA requirements

FERPA rights begin at the time a student enrolls in his or her first class. It protects all students who are currently or formerly enrolled, regardless of age or parental dependency status. It does not apply to deceased students or individuals who apply but do not attend.

The purpose, scope and procedures are outlined in the FERPA policy.

Parental access

When children are enrolled in elementary, middle and high school, parents have the right to access and control the release of student information. However, when a student enrolls at a college or university, or turns 18, these rights transfer directly to the student. While parents naturally have an interest in academic progress, and may even be paying for college, under federal law students control access to their own records.

If you want to receive information about your student's grades or other information, you must ask your student to provide permission. Students must complete a third party release form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar. The college is prohibited from sharing student information unless a release has been provided by the student and is on file with the college.