Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act(FERPA)

The following is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer of a contract. If there are any inconsistencies with the University of Missouri’s policy, the UM System policies apply. Direct questions to the Office of the University Registrar.

Overview
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of educational records; to establish the rights 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.  The law applies to any individual who is or has been in attendance at an institution and regarding whom the institution maintains educational records.

Once students have matriculated to the University of Missouri, i.e. enrolled in course work, FERPA rights transfer to the student, regardless of the student’s age.                                                                   

Primary rights under FERPA

• To inspect and review educational records
• To seek to amend educational records through informal and formal hearings
• To have some control over the release of information about educational records

Educational records contain information that is directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational agency or institution, or by a third party acting on the behalf of the agency or institution.

Examples include:

• Handwritten notes,
• Computer files/generated information,
• Printed information,
• Video or audio tapes,
• Film,
• Microfilm or microfiche, and
• Any information maintained in any way about a student.

Directory information

Directory information may be shared, unless restricted. The University of Missouri defines directory information as:

• Name,
• Address,
• Telephone listing,
• E-mail address,
• Date and place of birth,
• Major or field of study,
• Dates of attendance,
• Student level,
• Degrees and awards received,
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams,
• Enrollment status in any past or present semester (i.e. full/part time),
• The most recent education agency or institution attended, and
• Participation in officially recognized sports.

Unless covered by an exception, staff may not release:

• Social Security number,
• Student number,
• Race/ethnicity/nationality,
• Gender,
• Grades, or
• Other personally identifiable information without written consent or when covered by an exception.

Complete University of Missouri policies related to sharing of student record information.

To release information other than directory information, students must authorize access to non-directory information for third parties.

The consent must specify records to be disclosed, state the purpose of the disclosure and identify the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure must be made.

Find out about exceptions.