Question: What is FERPA, and what rights does it grant students?
Answer: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974,
as amended, (FERPA) requires institutions receiving
federal monies to protect the privacy of students’
educational records
- The right to inspect and review their education records
- The right to seek to amend education records that are believed to be inaccurate or misleading
- The right to demand that personally identifiable information be disclosed only with student consent, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent
- The right to file a complaint against the institution
Question: Who is considered a "student" under FERPA?
Answer: Anyone over the age of 18, a student “in attendance” (regardless of age), and former students.Student applies to all students attending – including continuing education students, students auditing a class, and distance education students.In attendance applies to and is determined by the institution. CCBC defines in attendance as the time of application for admission to the institution.
Question: What type of information is protected under FERPA?
Answer: Any record maintained by the institution (not just the Registrar) that contains information that is personally identifiable to a student (in whatever format or medium).Including but not limited to:
- Class schedule Grades/GPA and academic standing
- Test scores Academic transcripts Disciplinaryrecords Student financial records Employmentrecords of student workers
Other Personally Identifiable Records:Including but not limited to:
- Social Security Number Gender/race/ethnicity
- Residence status Country of citizenship Religious preference
Question: How can I access my educational records?
Answer: Contact the Registrar's Office to request an appointment to access your educational records.
Question: Can my parents access my academic records without my permission?
Answer: Records may be released to parents, guardians, and
other parties only if one of the following conditions
have been met:
- Through the written consent of the student (FERPA release form available through the Registrar’s office and online).
- In compliance with a subpoena (§ 99.31).
- Without student consent in a health or safety emergency if the information will assist in resolving the emergency (§ 99.36).
Question: Under what circumstances can my educational records be disclosed without my consent?
Answer: Records may be released to parents, guardians, and
other parties only if one of the following conditions
have been met:
- Through the written consent of the student (FERPA release form available through the Registrar’s office and online).
- In compliance with a subpoena (§ 99.31).
- Without student consent in a health or safety emergency if the information will assist in resolving the emergency (§ 99.36).
Question: What is considered "directory information," and can I opt out of it being shared?
Answer: Data items that are generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if publicly available. These items may be disclosed, unless the student has placed a “block” on directory information release. You may place a FERPA Block on your record by visiting the Registrar's Office and requesting the block. FERPA Blocks are for all directory information and for all third parties. Students cannot limit disclosure only to selected parties. Directory Information Student’s Name (including Preferred Name) Program of Study Dates of enrollment Full- or part-time enrollment status Degrees or certificates conferred Participation in officially recognized activities and sports Height and weight of members of athletic teams
Question: What should I do if I believe my FERPA rights have been violated?
Answer: Contact the Registrar's Office to let them know you believe your rights may have been violated.
Question: Are there specific procedures for filing a FERPA complaint?
Answer: First, you should try to seek resolution from CCBC by contacting the Registrar's Office. Complaints should be filed with 180 days of the violation. You should visit the Education Department's website at https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/file-a-complaint to access the form and file a complaint.
Question: How can I revoke access that I have previously granted to someone else?
Answer: You must contact the Registrar's Office to request to end a FERPA Release