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FERPA Compliance FAQs

See all FAQs

  • How does the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act relate to FERPA?

    All higher education institutions that participate in the Federal Student Aid program must comply with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and report this compliance in their annual audit. Higher education institutions are deemed to be in compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Privacy Rule if they are in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For more information regarding how the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act impacts higher education institutions visit this EDUCAUSE Resource Page or this Resource Page from the Office of Federal Student Aid.

  • What is directory information?

    Under FERPA, some information included in a student’s education record is defined as directory information. Institutions may disclose that information without violating the law if it has specifically designated that information as “directory information.” Directory information may include: name; address; telephone number; major field of study; dates of attendance; current enrollment status (full-time/part-time); class standing; receipt or non-receipt of a degree; academic awards received

  • What information is not considered part of an education record?

    Sole possession records or private notes of individual staff or faculty that are not accessible or released to other personnel; law enforcement or campus security records; employee records (unless contingent upon attendance); medical records; alumni records.

  • What is an education record?

    An education record is any record which contains information that is personally identifiable to a student, and is maintained by the university or by a party or organization acting on behalf of the school. Education records may include: written and printed documents; electronic media; magnetic tape (microfilm and microfiche); film; diskette or CDs; video or audio tapes. This includes transcripts or other records obtained from a school in which a student was previously enrolled.

  • What are a student’s rights under FERPA?

    • The right to inspect and review their education records.
    • The right to seek to amend education records that are believed to be inaccurate of 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