  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)Student Access to Educational Records – Notification of RightsThe 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. Educational records are defined as”…records, files, documents, and other material…which contain information directly related to a student…Educational records do not include personal files of faculty and administrative personnel, law enforcement records, medical records, or parents financial records.”
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when s/he reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.” Per the Act, a student may inspect and review their education records, may seek to amend those records, and may limit disclosure of information from the records.
Release of Records FormEach student has the option to file a Release of Records Form with the Registrar’s Office. The form will allow college officials to speak to the individuals identified on the form about the student’s educational records. Particulars may include academic standing, grades, class attendance, disciplinary issues and financial obligations. If the student chooses not to complete the Release of Records Form, it may limit the College’s ability to contact others in the event of an emergency.
Disclosure of educational records without the written consent of the student is prohibited except in certain instances as permitted by the FERPA (http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/reg/ferpa/rights_pg19.html#17). One such instance is to the parents of a dependant student (parent must submit proof of dependency via signed IRS Tax forms). Becker College will, with proper documentation and a written request, disclose student education records to the parents of a dependent student. Any other release of non-directory information will be granted per the student’s consent on the Release of Records Form as noted above. For the protection of the student, a photo ID may be requested before any non-directory information is released, even to the student.
Directory InformationBecker College designates the following categories of student records information as directory information:
· Student’s full name
· Local address/permanent/campus mailing address
· Hometown
· Major field of study
· Status (full- or part-time); class level (FR/SO/JR/SR)
· Participation in officially recognized clubs/activities/sports
· Most recent previous school attended
· Members of athletic teams (height included)
· Dates of attendance
· Degrees, honors and awards received
· Photographs
Directory information will be disclosed by Becker College without prior consent of the student. If the student wishes to restrict the release of Directory Information, s/he must inform the Registrar’s Office in writing. Annual FERPA notification click here
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