Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Basics for Students

FERPA General Guidance for Students (U.S. Department of Education)

What is FERPA?

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a Federal law that applies to educational agencies and institutions that receive funding under a program administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

What FERPA rights are given to students?

  • The right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day the college receives the request.
  • The right to request an amendment to the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading.
  • The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
  • Right to file a complaint with the Department of Education concerning an alleged failure by the institution to comply with the Act.

What are education records under FERPA?

Education records are defined as records that are:

  • Directly related to a student
  • Maintained by the College of Southern Idaho or by a party acting on the behalf of the College.

Records that are NOT education records include:

  • Sole possession records
  • Law enforcement unit records
  • Employment records (with the exception of work study)
  • Medical records
  • Post attendance records

When do my FERPA rights begin at CSI?

A student’s FERPA rights begin when the student registers for classes at CSI, regardless of age.

How does technology impact FERPA?

The same principles of confidentiality that apply to paper records also apply to electronic data. Students, faculty, and staff must abide by the CSI Computer Use Policy. It is very important that students protect the confidentiality of their CSI Student ID number, as well as their usernames and passwords.

  • Students must not share their CSI Student ID numbers with other CSI students, friends, family members, etc.
  • Students must not let anyone borrow their CSI Student ID cards.
  • As soon as students first log in, they should change their default login passwords (e-mail/network and Blackboard) to a secret password that they only know, can easily remember, but others cannot guess.
  • Students must notify the Admissions and Records Office immediately if they suspect unauthorized access to their educational records.

To whom, and under what conditions, can colleges disclose personally identifiable information?

  • Non-directory information may be released to anyone if the college has obtained the prior written consent of the student.
  • Schools may disclose, without consent, directory information. Eligible students may request that the school not disclose directory information about them.
    Directory information is defined as the following:
    • Student’s name
    • Student’s address listings
    • Student’s phone number listings
    • Student’s e-mail address
    • Student’s photograph
    • The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended
    • Enrollment status
    • Full-time/part-time status
    • Dates of attendance
    • Major
    • Freshman/sophomore standing
    • Candidacy for degrees/certificates
    • Degrees conferred and dates
    • Awards and honors received
    • Participation records in officially recognized activities and sports
    • Height and weight of members of athletic teams
  • The College may disclose information from a student’s education record without prior written consent from the student to the following parties under the following conditions:
    • School officials that have a legitimate educational interest.
    • Agents acting on behalf of the institution (e.g., Clearinghouses, degree/enrollment verifiers).
    • Anyone who is providing financial aid to the student (this does not include any payments made by parents).
    • Organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of the institution.
    • Accrediting organizations for accreditation purposes.
    • Parents of a dependent student.
    • Parents/legal guardians when their children (under 21) are found to have violated the alcohol or drug policy of the institution.
    • To comply with a judicial order or subpoena.
    • Anyone if a health or safety emergency exists and the information will assist in resolving the emergency.
    • The student.
    • The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Military recruiters, the Internal Revenue Service, and authorized representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

How can I withhold release of my directory information?

Students may submit a written request to the Admissions and Records Office to prevent the release of directory information.

FERPA Forms

Whom do I contact if I have additional questions and concerns?

Questions concerning FERPA should be referred to the CSI Admissions and Records Office (732-6795).

Eligible students have the right to file a complaint under FERPA with the U.S. Department of Education Family Policy Compliance Office concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with the Act. Complaints must be sent in writing, with all pertinent information, to the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

For more information, please visit U.S. Department of Education website.

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