Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

In 1974, Congress enacted the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act known, or FERPA. FERPA prohibits any person connected with the institution—including administrators and faculty—from improperly disclosing student information.

A college/university is prohibited from providing certain information from your student records to a third party, such as information on grades, conduct records, billing, tuition and fee assessments, financial aid (including scholarships, grants, work—study, or loan amounts), and other student record information.

Even a student's parent, guardian, spouse, or sponsor may not demand the release of the student's educational record.

You may, at your discretion, grant the college/university permission to release information about your student records to a third party by submitting a completed Student Information Release Authorization.