Student Privacy Rights

What is FERPA?
FERPA is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, more commonly known as the Buckley Amendment.  This federal law protects students’ rights to privacy regarding their educational records.  With limited exceptions, FERPA applies to all records maintained about a student and is not limited to a student’s academic records.

What does FERPA do?
FERPA gives college and university students (1) the right to inspect and review their education records, (2) the right to request an amendment to their record under certain circumstances; and (3) it limits the right of the college to release records or information without the student’s consent.  Colleges are required to give annual notification to students regarding these rights.  GCSC provides notification via the college catalog and student handbook.

Who is protected by FERPA?
All college students have rights under FERPA, even those who are younger than 18 years of age.  FERPA protects the education records of students who are attending or who have attended the institution.  Upon enrollment, the education records of each student, including the student’s application for admissions and all related materials, become automatically protected.

What records are protected?
FERPA protects all records directly related to a student and that are maintained by the institution.  A record is “directly related” to a student if it is personally identifiable to the student.  Such documents may include transcripts, financial aid records, letters of recommendation or reprimand, class schedules, department and college files, electronic records and email, and disciplinary files.

What is Directory Information?
FERPA allows institutions to designate certain classes of information that may be released without the student’s consent.  This information is commonly known as “directory information.”  The following information may be released to anyone unless a student specifies in writing to the director of enrollment services that the information is not to be released.

Student’s Name
Date of birth
Major field of study
Enrollment status
Participation in recognized activities and sports
Weight and height of athletic team members
Dates of attendance
Degrees, awards, and previous schools attended
Photograph