### Model Notification of Rights under FERPA for Postsecondary Institutions

The Famil y Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 y ears of age or older or who attends a postsecondary instiution.) These rights include:
1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day the [Name of postsecondary institution (“School”)] receives a request for access. A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to wh om the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believe s are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes t o ask the school to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearl y identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify

why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as reque sted, the school will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing re garding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without con sent. The school disclos es education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person emplo yed by the [School] in an administrative, supervisory , ac ademic, research, or support staff position (including law en forcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance com mittee. A school of ficial also may

include a volunteer or contractor outside of the [School] who performs an institutional service o r function for which the school would otherwise use its own employ ees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney , auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the of ficial needs toreview an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for

the [School]. [Optional] Upon request, the school also discloses education records without consent to offi cials of another school in which a stud ent seeks or intends to enroll. [NOTE TO POSTSECONDARY I

NSTI TUT ION: FERPA requires a school to make a reasonable attempt to notify

each student of these disclosures unless the school states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request.]
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures b y the [School] to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Of

fice U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202 [NOTE: In addition, a school may want to include its directory information public notice, as required b y § 99.37 of the regulations, with its annual notification of rights un der FERPA.] [Optional] See the list below of the disclosures that postsecondary institutions may

make without consent. FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfull y issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, § 99.32 of FE RPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may

disclose PI I from the education records without obtaining prior written con sent of the student

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 To other school officials, including teachers, within the [School] whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has o utsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)( 1 )

- (a)(1)(i)(B)( 2 ) are met. (§ 99.31(a)(1))

 To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is al read y enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of § 99.34. (§ 99.31(a)(2))

 To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U. S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as a State postsecondary

authority that is responsible for supervising the university ’s State

- supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made,subject t o the requirements of § 99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of

Federal

- or State

- supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated b y them as their authorized representatives to conduct an y audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity

on their behalf. (§§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)

 In connection with financial ai d for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility

for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the ai d. (§ 99.31(a)(4))

 To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. (§ 99.31(a)(6))

 To accreditin g organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. ((§ 99.31(a)(7))

 To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§ 99.31(a)(8))

 To comply

with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§ 99.31(a)( 9))

 To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safet y em ergency , subject to § 99.36. (§ 99.31(a)(10))

 In formation the school has designated as “directory information” under § 99.37. (§ 99.31(a)(11))

 To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non

- forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of § 99.39. The disclosure may onl y include the final results of the disciplinary

proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding. (§ 9 9.31(a)(13))

 To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of § 99.39, if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non

- forcible sex offense and the student h as committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. (§ 99.31(a)(14))

 To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of an y Federal, State, or local law, or of an y rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21. (§ 99.31(a)(15))