FERPA BASICS & PURPOSE
This federal law, passed in 1974, protects the privacy of student education records.
What is the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)?
The right to inspect and review educational records belongs to this individual.
Who is the student (or “eligible student”)?
This type of information, like a student’s name, major, or hometown, is not considered harmful if disclosed.
What is Directory Information?
Faculty and staff can access student records only when they meet this condition.
What is having a legitimate educational interest?
This four-digit number allows third parties to access certain student information from offices like the Registrar or Financial Aid.
FERPA PIN
This is the main goal of FERPA — to protect student privacy and provide rights over their educational records.
What is to protect the privacy of student education records and give students certain rights regarding access and disclosure?
Clayton State must respond to a student’s request to inspect records within this number of days.
What is 45 days?
Clayton State can release Directory Information without a student’s consent unless this action is taken.
What is opting out or submitting a written request to withhold disclosure?
A “legitimate educational interest” means that a school official needs record access for this reason.
What is performing their professional duties related to a student’s education?
A student who forgets their FERPA PIN must do this to obtain or reset it.
What is present a photo ID to a campus official?
Personal notes, law enforcement records, medical records, and alumni records are not considered these under FERPA.
What are education records?
When a student believes their education record is inaccurate or misleading, they may request this.
What is an amendment to the record?
A student who doesn’t want their Directory Information shared must submit this to the Registrar’s Office.
What is a Request to Prevent Disclosure form?
Non-directory, personally identifiable information cannot be released without consent except in these cases.
What are legal orders, health or safety emergencies, or disclosure to school officials with legitimate interest?
A FERPA release authorization remains valid only while the student meets this condition.
What is continuous enrollment or until it is revoked?
Students can file a complaint here if their university fails to comply with FERPA.
What is the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education?
If the school denies a student’s amendment request, the student can do these two things.
What are request a hearing and add a statement to the record?
Name, major, and enrollment status are three examples of this type of information.
What is Directory Information?
A court order, health/safety emergency, or student transfer are all examples of this FERPA exception.
What are conditions allowing disclosure without consent?
A student’s FERPA release authorization automatically ends when this happens.
What is graduation or not enrolling for three consecutive terms?
FERPA maintains this delicate balance between individual privacy and institutional responsibility.
What is protecting student privacy while allowing necessary disclosures in specific legal or educational situations?
To challenge an education record, a student follows this three-step process: submit a written request, request a hearing if denied, and attach a statement if necessary.
What is the process for correcting or challenging an education record?
Choosing to withhold Directory Information can lead to this consequence.
What is limited public recognition or exclusion from directories and listings?
During this type of emergency, FERPA allows schools to release information to protect individuals’ well-being.
What is a health or safety emergency?
To revoke a FERPA release, a student must take this action.
What is submit a written request to the Registrar’s Office?