Wondering about the FERPA as you head to college? Here’s what to know

Almost every student knows the feeling of bringing home report cards to share with parents or guardians. And almost every family is familiar with the steady flow of paperwork that comes home in backpacks or through electronic portals from school.  

In college, that all changes. If you’re starting college this fall, it’s important to know about a law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Understanding the FERPA can help you protect your privacy and decide for yourself how much information your parents or guardians can access during your college years. 

What is the FERPA? 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that gives parents and legal guardians access to their children’s education records. The FERPA also allows them to seek to have the records amended and gives them some control over how much personally identifiable information from the education record is shared.  

Once a student turns 18 or attends a college or university, FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the student. That means colleges generally cannot share certain student information with parents or guardians without the student’s permission. One exception: A school may share information from a student’s education record without their consent if the student is a dependent for tax purposes.  

What information does the FERPA Protect? 

FERPA protects educational records including the following: 

• Grades and transcripts  

• Class schedules  

• Academic standing  

• Financial aid information  

• Disciplinary records  

• Student ID numbers  

• Enrollment records  
  

Why is the FERPA Important? 

The FERPA is important because it gives students control over their educational information and encourages independence and responsibility. 

What is a FERPA release/waiver?  

A FERPA release or waiver, which is available through the college registrar’s office, allows your parents and guardians to access your education records. Some students choose to sign a release so that their parents can provide another layer of support for them.  

A FERPA release covers only education records, not other types of private information such as health records. 

What is an education record? 

An education record is any record kept by a college that contains information directly related to a student. This information can be in any format: paper documents, computer files, video or audio. 

What other legal forms do I need to know about? 

In addition to the FERPA, families should understand the following forms: 

• Financial Power of Attorney: Allows a student to choose a trusted adult such as a parent/guardian to have access to financial records and to act on their behalf regarding financial decisions including making payments, banking, taxes, lease agreements, etc. 

• Medical Power of Attorney: Allows a student to choose a trusted adult such as parents/legal guardians to make medical decisions on their behalf in an emergency where the student is unable to make decisions. 

• HIPAA Authorization/Release Form: Protects patients’ privacy but allows a student to choose other parties such as parents/legal guardians to have access to protected health information including medical updates, emergency statuses, and billing information. 

• Health Insurance waiver: If a student is covered by a parent or guardian’s health insurance, they should decline the school-issued health insurance (otherwise the student will be billed).