FERPA (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

In 1974 Congress passed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act otherwise known as "FERPA" ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), a Federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records. According to the Department of Education, this law applies to educational agencies and institutions that receive funding under any program administered by the U. S. Department of Education.

The American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) define FERPA as:

"A Federal law designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate and misleading data through informal and formal hearings."

FERPA allows institutions to release information from a student's record without the written consent of the student to school officials who have "legitimate educational interest" and who need access to the information to fulfill their professional responsibility. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position, including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff.

FERPA at Biola

FERPA Notification of Student Rights
Consent Release Form
Student Right to Inspect Educational Record
FERPA Penalties
How FERPA Affects Faculty

Additional Information on FERPA

• You may request a copy of Biola's FERPA policy from the Office of the Registrar.
• Visit the Department of Education website.