<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en"> <!-- displayTemplateSubPage edwebwwwp01c02 --><head> <!-- BEGIN Content Zone "_MD" --><title>Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)</title>
<!-- Start EDWeb Metadata - Do Not Modify Tags in Block Below -->
<meta name="ED.office" scheme="EDWeb" content="Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII)">
<meta name="DC.identifier" scheme="URL" content="http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html">
<meta name="DC.date.valid" scheme="ISO 8601" content="2007-04-27">
<meta name="DC.publisher" content="US Department of Education (ED)">
<meta name="DC.format" scheme="IMT"  content="text/HTML">
<meta name="DC.title" content="Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)">
<meta name="DC.language" scheme="ISO 639-2" content="en">
<meta name="DC.description" content="Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Home Page.">
<meta name="description" content="Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Home Page.">
<meta name="DC.subject" scheme="EDWeb" type="descriptor" content="Policy; Privacy; Academic Records; Technical Assistance; Parent Rights; Student Rights">
<meta name="keywords" content="Policy; Privacy; Academic Records; Technical Assistance; Parent Rights; Student Rights; FERPA">
<meta name="DC.subject" type="keyword" content="FERPA">
<meta name="DC-ED.audience" scheme="EDWeb" content="Parents and Families; Administrators">
<meta name="DC.type" scheme="EDWeb" content="Guides">
<!-- End EDWeb Metadata - Do Not Modify Tags in Block Above -->


















<!-- END Content Zone "_MD" --><!-- The metadata tag below contains the file system last modified date. It will be used by search engines for HTML documents that contain no EDWeb Metadata  ---><meta name="DC.date" scheme="ISO 8601" content="2021-08-25"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="IE=edge" ><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"><!-- CSS -->    <link href="/style/ed-bootstrap.css" rel="stylesheet">    <link href="/style/common.css" rel="stylesheet"><!-- HTML5 shim and Respond.js IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries --><!--[if lt IE 9]>  <script src="/style/html5shiv.js"></script>  <script src="/style/respond.min.js"></script><![endif]--><script type="text/javascript" src="/style/jquery.js"></script><script src="/style/bootstrap.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="/style/common.js"></script><!-- <script type="text/javascript" src="/style/foresee/foresee-trigger.js"></script> --><script async type="text/javascript" id="_fed_an_ua_tag" src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal_GA4_Test_v6.js?agency=ED"></script></head><body><!--stopindex--><div id="container" class="container"><div id="header"><!--Content Zone "I"--><div class="row globalutils">
<div class="pull-right" role="navigation">
<small><ul class="list-inline"><li>Skip to main content</li><li>About Us</li><li>Contact Us</li><li>FAQs</li><li class="dropdown"><a href="#" class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"><img src="/images/languageicon.gif" alt="" /> Language Assistance <b class="caret"></b></a><ul class="dropdown-menu"><li>English</li><li>español</li><li>中文: 繁體版</li><li>Việt-ngữ</li><li>한국어</li><li>Tagalog</li><li>Русский</li></ul></li></ul></small>
</div>
</div>
<!-- END Content Zone "I"-->            <div class="row branding"><div id="logo"><!--Content Zone "A"--><div class="col-sm-7 hidden-xs">
<hgroup>
<a href="http://www.ed.gov/" title="US Department of Education" rel="home"><img alt="US Department of Education" src="/images/ed-gov-hat.png" width="75" height="75"></a>
<p>U.S. Department of Education</p>
</hgroup>
											</div>

<!--END Content Zone "A" --></div><div id="searchbox"><!--Content Zone "E"--><div class="col-sm-5">
<form accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.usa.gov/search" method="get" id="search_form" role="search">
		<label class="sr-only" for="query">Search for:</label>
		<div class="input-group">
 		<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div> 
 		<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="ed.gov" /> 
 		<input type="search" id="query" value="" name="query" autocomplete="off" class="form-control usagov-search-autocomplete" style="width:100%">
		    <span class="input-group-btn"><button value="Search" id="searchsubmit" type="submit" class="btn btn-primary" style="height:34px;" aria-label="Search"><span class="glyphicon glyphicon-search"></span></button></span>
		</div>
	</form>
</div><!--END Content Zone "E"--></div></div><!-- /.row--><div id="audiences"><!--Content Zone "B"--><nav class="navbar navbar-inverse main-navigation" role="navigation">
  <!-- Brand and toggle get grouped for better mobile display -->
  <div class="navbar-header">
    <button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target=".navbar-main-collapse">
      <span class="sr-only">Toggle navigation</span>
      <span class="icon-bar"></span>
      <span class="icon-bar"></span>
      <span class="icon-bar"></span>
    </button>
    <p class="navbar-text visible-xs"><a href="http://www.ed.gov/" class="navbar-link">U.S. Department of Education</a></p>
  </div>

  <!-- Collect the nav links, forms, and other content for toggling -->
  <div class="collapse navbar-collapse navbar-main-collapse">
    <ul class="nav navbar-nav" style="width:100%;">
	  <li class="col-sm-3">Student Loans</li>
	  <li class="col-sm-3">Grants</li>
	  <li class="col-sm-3">Laws</li>
	  <li class="col-sm-3">Data</li>
    </ul>
  </div><!-- /.navbar-collapse -->
</nav><!--END Content Zone "B" --></div></div><div id="columns" class="row"><!--startindex--><div id="maincontent" class="col-sm-9"><a name="skipnav1"></a><a name="skipnav2"></a><div id="article"><div id="section-nav"><!--Content Zone "Q"-->                            			<!-- removed for simplicity. If re-added, teh sbfile needed will need to be based on top-level path, per Jennifer Reeves -->	<!-- #include virtual="/zone/q/programsImagery.html" --><!-- END Content Zone "Q"--><!--Content Zone "R"-->																		<!-- END Content Zone "R"-->            </div><!--Content Zone "P"-->									<tr><td>
<!-- BEGIN TeamSite Templating Generated Page 29Jul2019 -->


<!-- DISPLAY TITLE -->
<span class="headersLevel1">Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)</span><br />





<!-- Level 1 -->
<br /><div class="contentText"><div class="alert alert-info">
<h3>Get the Latest on FERPA at https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/
</h3>
<ul>
  <li><a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/frequently-asked-questions"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></a></li>
  <li>FERPA for <a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/audience/parents-and-students"><strong>parents and students</strong></a>, <a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/audience/school-officials-k-12"><strong>K12 school officials</strong></a> and <a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/audience/school-officials-post-secondary"><strong>Postsecondary school officials</strong></a></li>
  <li><a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/content/ppra">Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (<strong>PPRA</strong>)</a></li>
  <li><a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/guidance"><strong>Guidance</strong></a> and <a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/annual-notices"><strong>Notices</a></strong></li>
  <li><a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/file-a-complaint"><strong>Filing a complaint under FERPA or PPRA</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>

<p>The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.</p>
<p>FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."</p>
<ul>
  <li>Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.</li>
  <li>Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.</li>
  <li>Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):</li>
  <ul>
    <li>School officials with legitimate educational interest;</li>
    <li>Other schools to which a student is transferring;</li>
    <li>Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;</li>
    <li>Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;</li>
    <li>Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;</li>
    <li>Accrediting organizations;</li>
    <li>To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; </li>
    <li>Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and</li>
    <li>State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.</li>
  </ul>
</ul>
<p>Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.</p></div>
<!-- End Level 1 -->
<!-- BEGIN FOOTER -->
<br clear="all" />
<hr>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-xs-4"> 
<span class="headersLevel3"> </span>
<span class="contentText"></span>
<span class="contentText">
</span>
<span class="contentText"></span>

</div><!--/.col-xs-4-->
 <div class="col-xs-4">
 <div class="utilText text-center"><a href="/print/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html" target="_blank" title="Print this page"><span class="glyphicon glyphicon-print"></span> Printable view</a></div>
 </div><!--/.col-xs-4-->
<div class="col-xs-4">
<div class="lastModified pull-right">
  Last Modified: 08/25/2021
</div>
</div><!-- col-xs-4 -->
</div><!--/.row -->
<!-- END FOOTER -->
<!-- END TeamSite Templating Generated Page -->
</td></tr></td></tr><!-- END Content Zone "P"-->            </div></div><!-- end main content area --><!--stopindex--><div id="rightnav" class="col-sm-3"><!--Content Zone "C"-->				<div class="sidebar-box">
<h2>How Do I Find...</h2>
<ul>
<li>Student loans, forgiveness</li>
<li>Higher Education Rulemaking</li>
<li>College accreditation</li>
<li>Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)</li>
<li>FERPA</li>
<li>FAFSA</li>
<li>1098, tax forms</li>
</ul>
<p class="viewMoreLink">More ></p>
</div>		

<div class="sidebar-box">
<h2>Information About...</h2>
<ul>
<li>Elevating Teaching</li>
<li>Early Learning</li>
<li>Engage Every Student</li>
<li>Unlocking Career Success</li>
<li>Cybersecurity</li>
</ul>
<p class="viewMoreLink"> </p>
<!-- <p class="viewMoreLink">More ></p> -->
</div>		

<!--END Content Zone "C" -->				<div id="topics"><!--Content Zone "D" --><!-- Include "Related Topics" zone file if path matches -->             <!--END Content Zone "D" -->				</table></div></div><!-- end right hand nav area --></div><div id="footer"><div id="bottomnav"><!--Content Zone "L" -->

	<hr>
<div id="footer-columns" class="row">
<div class="col-md-3 mission-statement hidden-xs hidden-sm"><em>Our mission</em> is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.</div>
<div class="col-sm-4 col-md-3">
<div class="list-group">
  <a href="/fund/grants-college.html?src=ft" class="list-group-item"><p class="list-group-item-heading h4">Student Loans</p></a>
  <a href="https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Repaying Loans</a>
  <a href="https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/default?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Defaulted Loans</a>
  <a href="https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Loan Forgiveness</a>
  <a href="https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers?src=ft#who-is-my-loan-servicer" class="list-group-item">Loan Servicers</a>
</div>
<div class="list-group">
  <a href="/fund/grants-apply.html?src=ft" class="list-group-item"><p class="list-group-item-heading h4">Grants & Programs</p></a>
  <a href="https://fafsa.gov/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Apply for Pell Grants</a>
  <a href="/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Grants Forecast</a>
  <a href="/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Apply for a Grant</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-4 col-md-3">
<div class="list-group">
  <a href="/policy/?src=ft" class="list-group-item"><p class="list-group-item-heading h4">Laws & Guidance</p></a>
  <a href="https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)</a>
  <a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">FERPA</a>
  <a href="/about/offices/list/ocr/know.html?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Civil Rights</a>
  <a href="https://sites.ed.gov/idea/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">New IDEA Website</a>
</div>
<div class="list-group">
  <a href="/rschstat/?src=ft" class="list-group-item"><p class="list-group-item-heading h4">Data & Research</p></a>
  <a href="https://nces.ed.gov/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Education Statistics</a>
  <a href="https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Postsecondary Education Data</a>
  <a href="https://eddataexpress.ed.gov/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">ED Data Express</a>
  <a href="https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Nation's Report Card</a>
  <a href="https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">What Works Clearinghouse</a>
  <a href="https://data.ed.gov/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Open Data Platform</a>
  <a href="https://covid-relief-data.ed.gov/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">COVID Relief Data</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-4 col-md-3">
<div class="list-group">
  <a href="/about/?src=ft" class="list-group-item"><p class="list-group-item-heading h4">About Us</p></a>
  <a href="/about/contacts/gen/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Contact Us</a>
  <a href="/about/offices/list/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">ED Offices</a>
  <a href="https://www.ed.gov/jobs/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Jobs</a>
  <a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Press Releases</a>
  <a href="https://www.ed.gov/answers/?src=ft" class="list-group-item">FAQs</a>
  <a href="/espanol/bienvenidos/es/index.html?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Recursos en español</a>
  <a href="/about/overview/focus/performance.html?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Budget, Performance</a>
  <a href="https://www.ed.gov/privacy?src=ft" class="list-group-item">Privacy Program</a>
</div>
<div class="row text-center">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.gov"><img src="/images/facebook.gif" alt="Visit Education on Facebook" border="0"/></a> 
<a href="https://twitter.com/usedgov"><img src="/images/twitter.gif" alt="Visit Education on Twitter" border="0"></a> 
<!-- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/usedgov"><img src="/images/youtube.gif" alt="Visit Education on YouTube" border="0"></a> -->
<a href="https://www.ed.gov/feed"><img src="/images/rss.gif" alt="Follow our RSS feed" border="0" /></a> 
<!-- <a href="https://plus.google.com/+usdepartmentofeducation"><img src="/images/google.gif" alt="Visit Education on Google+" border="0" /></a> <br>
<p class="utilText">More  --></p>
</div> 
</div>
</div>

<hr>

<div id="page-bottom" class="row"> <ul class="list-inline"><li>Notices</li> <li>FOIA</li><li>Privacy Policy</li><li>Accessibility</li><li>Security</li><li>Information quality</li><li>Inspector General</li><li>Whitehouse.gov</li><li>USA.gov</li><li>Benefits.gov</li><li>Regulations.gov</li><li>vote.gov</li>


			</ul>
</div>

<!-- START crazyegg -->
<!-- <script type="text/javascript" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/new.cetrk.com/pages/scripts/0009/9201.js"> </script> -->
<!-- END crazyegg -->
<!--GOOGLE ANALYTICS CODE-->
<script type="text/javascript">
  var _gaq = _gaq || [];
  _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-10911895-1']);
  _gaq.push(['_setDomainName', 'ed.gov']);
  _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
  (function() {
    var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
    ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
    var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
  })();
</script>
<!-- END GOOGLE ANALYTICS CODE-->
<!-- USA Search code-->
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var usasearch_config = { siteHandle:"ed.gov" };
var script = document.createElement("script");
script.type = "text/javascript";
script.src = "//search.usa.gov/javascripts/remote.loader.js";
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script);
//]]>
</script>
<!-- end USA Search code-->
			<!--END Content Zone "L"  --></div></div></div></body></html>