Key Takeaways
- FERPA is a federal law that protects students’ education records. When a student turns 18 or starts college at any age, the rights move from the parent to the student.
- Without the student’s written consent, a college generally can’t share grades, transcripts, class schedules, billing or disciplinary records with parents.
- A FERPA release must be signed and dated by the student and say which records may be shared, with whom and for what purpose.
- Colleges may share records with parents in a few situations without consent, such as when the student is a tax dependent or in a health or safety emergency, but they aren’t required to.
- Many colleges also have their own release in the student portal, so check with the registrar.
What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that applies to schools that receive U.S. Department of Education funding, which includes nearly every college and university. It gives students the right to see their education records and controls who else can see them.
For K-12 students, those rights belong to parents. But when a student turns 18 or enrolls in a college at any age, they become an “eligible student” and the rights transfer to them. From that point, the school generally needs the student’s written consent to share records with anyone, including the parents who may be paying tuition.
What counts as an education record?
Under FERPA, education records are records directly related to a student and kept by the school. For a college student that typically includes:
- Grades, transcripts and academic standing
- Class schedules and enrollment status
- Financial aid and student account (billing) records
- Disciplinary records
- Records kept by many campus health and counseling centers, which FERPA treats as “treatment records” rather than HIPAA medical records
A school may release “directory information,” such as name, enrollment dates and degrees awarded, without consent unless the student opts out.
What a FERPA release does
A FERPA release (also called a FERPA waiver or consent to release education records) is the student’s written permission for the school to share specified records with named people. Under the federal regulations, a valid consent must:
- Be signed and dated by the student.
- Specify the records that may be disclosed.
- State the purpose of the disclosure.
- Identify the people who may receive the records.
Many schools also offer their own online release in the student portal, sometimes with options for grades, billing or financial aid. Ask the registrar’s office whether they will accept a signed general release, want their own form, or require a witness. Signing both is often the simplest path.
When can a college share records without a release?
FERPA allows, but does not require, schools to share information with parents in limited situations:
| Situation | Can the college share with parents? | Is it required to? |
|---|---|---|
| Student signed a FERPA release | Yes, the records listed in the release | Yes, within the release’s terms |
| Student is the parent’s tax dependent | Yes, at the school’s discretion | No |
| Health or safety emergency | Yes, information needed to protect the student or others | No |
| Alcohol or drug violation, student under 21 | Yes, at the school’s discretion | No |
| None of the above | Directory information only, unless the student opted out | No |
Because the exceptions are optional, schools apply them differently. Some will discuss a dependent student’s grades with a parent who sends a copy of a tax return; others won’t. A signed release is the only consistent way for parents to stay informed.
FERPA release vs. HIPAA release
These two forms are often confused, but they cover different records held by different organizations. A FERPA release covers education records held by a school. A HIPAA release covers medical records held by doctors, hospitals and health plans. A college student who wants a parent to stay in the loop typically signs both, along with a health care power of attorney for emergencies.
Tips for families
- Talk about it first. A FERPA release is about trust. Agree together on what you’ll be able to see and why.
- Sign before the semester starts, and send a copy to the registrar’s office.
- Keep it current. Releases can be limited in time or revoked, and some schools ask students to renew each year.
- Remember it isn’t a password. A release lets the school talk to you; it doesn’t give you login access to the student portal.
Frequently asked questions
Generally no. Once a student is in college, the school needs the student’s written consent to share grades with parents. A school may choose to share with parents who claim the student as a tax dependent, but it isn’t required to.
Yes. FERPA rights transfer to the student as soon as they attend a postsecondary institution, regardless of age.
Only to records the school keeps that count as education records, which can include some campus health center records. Records from outside doctors and hospitals are covered by HIPAA and need a HIPAA release.
Yes. The student can revoke or limit consent at any time, usually by notifying the registrar in writing.
Usually yes. A release is addressed to a specific school’s records, so the new school will typically need its own consent.
Keep reading
- Legal Documents to Sign When Your Child Turns 18At 18, parents lose automatic access to medical, school and financial information. Here are the documents every young adult should sign, and why.
- HIPAA Release Form: What It Is and Who Needs OneA HIPAA release form lets doctors share your medical information with people you choose. Learn what it must include, who needs one, and how it differs from a POA.
- Power of Attorney for a College Student: A Parent’s GuideWhy college students need a financial and health care power of attorney, what each one covers, how they're signed, and how to choose an agent.
- HIPAA Release vs. Health Care Power of AttorneyA HIPAA release gives access to medical information; a health care power of attorney gives authority to make decisions. Here's how they differ and why you need both.
Don’t get shut out when your child turns 18
Get the HIPAA, FERPA and medical authorization forms your young adult needs signed before they leave home, so you can still get answers in an emergency. The No Brainer Box adds health care and financial powers of attorney and a living will.
- Answer a few simple questions online
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This guide is general educational information written by the No Brainer Forms Team. It is not legal advice, and No Brainer Forms is not a law firm. Laws and signing requirements vary by state; for advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.