Dear FERPA PROFESSORS,
Quick question --- we have a student who was dismissed for academic reasons. Today we got a call from the parent wanting information on her daughter. I think we're okay to have the student complete a FERPA form, but I was trying to see if there was a
delineation between an existing student and how a former student was allowed access. I don't find anything.
Your thoughts?
Thanks,
Ms. Fastolf
Dear Ms. Fastolf,
FERPA defines a student as anyone who is or has been in attendance and regarding whom the institution maintains education records. See § 99.3 "Student" which you can find on page 155 of the 2012 AACRAO FERPA Guide. Thus, current and former students'
records are afforded the same protection and the same right of access by the student of those maintained records. Concerning disclosure of those records, an institution is generally going to need signed consent from the "student" prior to any disclosure,
including to parents of the student, unless the disclosure meets the conditions of one of the exceptions to signed consent found at § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations.
I hope this is helpful in answering your question.
THE FERPA PROFESSORS
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