FERPA basics
What does FERPA stand for, and what is it's primary purpose?
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; protects student educational records.
Who can request access to a student's educational records under FERPA?
Parents and eligible students (at least 18 years old or attending a postsecondary institution or college of some sort).
Does FERPA generally require student consent before disclosing personally identifiable information?
No
What is directory information under FERPA, and can students restrict its disclosure?
Non-sensitive information; yes, they can opt out.
How does a student reach out to the Registrar, Financial Aid, and Student Accounting
Scrappy Says
What are educational records according to FERPA?
Records directly related to a student, maintained by a school.
What rights do parents of dependent students and eligible students have regarding educational records under FERPA?
Access, review, and request corrections to records.
Can educational institutions disclose student information without consent in certain situations?
Yes; to comply with legal orders or in emergencies.
Provide examples of directory information under FERPA.
Name; Major field of study; Participation in officially recognized activities and sports; Weight and height of members of athletic teams; Dates of Attendance; Enrollment Status (undergrad; graduate; full-time; part-time); Classification (FR;SO,JR,SR); Degrees, awards and honors received; Expected graduation date; Dissertation and thesis titles; Most recent previous school attended; Photograph
The lack of what vaccine record can prevent registration.
Meningitis
Who has the right to access a student's educational records under FERPA?
Parents of dependent students (under 18), the student of record, and anyone the student added as an authorized 3rd party in their MyUNT portal.
Can educational institutions deny access to educational records?
Generally no, unless exceptions apply.
What is directory information under FERPA, and can it be disclosed without consent?
Non-sensitive information; yes, unless the student opts out.
How should educational institutions inform students about their rights regarding directory information under FERPA?
By providing annual notification and opt-out procedures.
Where can you find registration deadlines and term/session start/end dates.
Why is FERPA important for educational institutions?
Protects privacy rights of students and ensures compliance with the law.
How do parents of dependent students and eligible students request changes to educational records under FERPA?
Submit a written request to the school.
How does UNT verify the identity of individuals requesting access to educational records?
By using photo identification or secure online authentication methods (3rd party code).
Why does FERPA allow disclosure of directory information without consent?
Balances privacy with the need for public information.
What is the last day to drop a course for Fall 2025 without a W on your academic record
August 29th
When was FERPA enacted, and by who?
1974; Gerald Ford
What assistance must schools provide to parents of dependent students and eligible students regarding their educational records?
Assistance in requesting and reviewing records.
Why is obtaining student consent important under FERPA?
Protects student privacy and control over their information
What steps should educational institutions take to handle directory information requests under FERPA?
Ensure compliance with opt-out requests and secure disclosure procedures.
Can a student order an official transcript during their first term of enrollment?