Parent Access to Grades and Other Information from Student Educational Records

In 1974 Congress passed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or “FERPA”, also known as the Buckley Amendment. FERPA applies both to K-12 and postsecondary educational records, although there is one key difference in the way that the law applies. In K-12 the rights under FERPA belong to the student's parents until the student turns 18. In postsecondary education the rights belong to the student, regardless of age or dependent status.

The law gives students certain rights concerning their educational records, including the right to expect that information in their educational records will be kept confidential, disclosed only with their permission or under provisions of the law. One such provision allows the release of "Directory Information" - name, address, major, degree sought, honors (including Dean's List), and other such information - without student permission. "Directory Information" is the type of information that generally would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released.

There are some types of information that parents might like to receive: grades, bills, financial aid, and so on that are not considered “directory information”. The University will not release that information without the student's permission, even to parents who pay the bills. So what can parents do to get this information? One way is to ask your son or daughter for the information. Another is to have them fill out a FERPA Release form, found on the Parents Association web site. You can send University offices a copy of the completed form along with your request for information. Note that copies of the release are not kept on file, so a separate release must accompany each request.

We encourage parents to communicate with their students about their grades and their progress towards their educational objectives, and not just at the end of the semester. Mid-semester, prior to the start of registration for the next term, is a very good time to have a conversation about how a student's courses are going in the current term and what courses the student plans to take the next semester.

Download the FERPA release form (WORD)