The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Guidance for Eligible Students

In addition to addressing parental rights under FERPA, (see, “A Parent Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)”), the U.S. Department of Education also has an informational letter for students. This letter discusses what changes in the student/parent relationship once a student reaches 18 or enrolls in an institution of higher education.  According to the Department. . .

Once a student reaches 18 years of age or attends a postsecondary institution, he or she becomes an “eligible student,” and all rights formerly given to parents under FERPA transfer to the student.

The eligible student has the right to:

  • Have access to his or her education records
  • The right to seek to have the records amended
  • The right to have control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the records – except in certain circumstances specified in the FERPA regulations and;
  • The right to file a complaint with the Department

https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/resources/ferpa-general-guidance-students

Author: WINAHEAD

WINAHEAD is made up of representatives from thirty institutions. Our members are professionals employed by two- and four-year colleges and universities who work directly with students with disabilities to ensure equal access to higher education. WIN indicates the geographic area we represent: Western Iowa and Nebraska. AHEAD is our national parent organization, the Association on Higher Education and Disability.