Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)


What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA gives students the right to inspect and review their education records, request the correction of inaccurate or misleading information, and control the disclosure of personally identifiable information from their education records.

FERPA applies to all currently enrolled and former students.

Guide to FERPA

Why FERPA Matters

Your education records are protected by federal law. FERPA helps safeguard information maintained by QC that is directly related to you as a student.

Examples of protected education records include:

  • Grades and transcripts
  • Class schedules and enrollment records
  • Financial aid records
  • Student account information
  • Disciplinary records
  • Other personally identifiable information (PII) contained in your education records

In most cases, QC cannot disclose information from your education records without your written consent unless disclosure is permitted under FERPA.

Directory Information

FERPA allows colleges to designate certain student information as Directory Information, which may be released without prior written consent unless you request that it be withheld.

Examples may include:

  • Student name
  • Major field of study
  • Enrollment status
  • Degrees, honors, and awards
  • Dates of attendance

If you do not wish your directory information to be released, you may submit a Directory Information Non-Disclosure Form to the Registrar’s Office.

Parents and FERPA

Once a student begins attending QC, FERPA rights belong to the student.

In most cases, parents or other third parties cannot access a student’s education records without the student’s written consent.

Students who wish to authorize another person to access their education records must complete a . This must be submitted in person, or to registrar@qc.cuny.edu using your QC email account.

Disclosure Without Student Consent

FERPA permits QC to disclose education records without a student’s written consent in limited circumstances, including:

  • To school officials with legitimate educational interests
  • In connection with financial aid
  • To authorized federal, state, or local education authorities
  • To accrediting organizations
  • To comply with a lawfully issued subpoena or court order
  • During a health or safety emergency
  • As otherwise permitted under FERPA

FERPA Forms

Use the forms below to manage access to your education records.

FERPA Release Form
Authorize a parent or another individual to access your education records.

Forms Page

Directory Information Non-Disclosure Form
Request that your directory information not be released without your written consent.

Download Form

FERPA Appeal
If you wish to appeal a FERPA-related decision or request additional information regarding your rights, contact the Office of the Registrar.

Registrar Forms

Campus Resources

CUNY Resources

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