Parents and Families

What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of education records. The same laws that give families and students access to and control over a student's educational records during elementary and high school transfer ownership of the records to the student at the college level.

According to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment), college students are considered responsible adults and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them. Under this law, families who want to receive a copy of their student’s academic or financial records can do so if their student signs a release form.  For more information about University policy related to access to student records, see the Registrar Office's right to privacy page.

Where can I find more information about FERPA?
The U.S. Department of Education is responsible for overseeing FERPA. See their website for additional information.

How can I get information about my student?
The quickest, easiest way for parents to receive information about their student’s grades, financial statement, or other student information is for the student to provide it. Students can look up information online, print it off, and give or email a copy to their parents. A FERPA release form must be completed by the student before university may exchange communications or have conversations with a family member other than the student.

Our One Stop page includes important dates and will link you important departments like Financial Aid, Registrar’s Office, and the Business Office.