About FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information regarding FERPA, visit the U.S. Department of Education or review the Office of the Registrar’s notification of student privacy rights, which is sent to all active CU students every fall and spring semester.

Helpful Links

Applicability:

At CU, FERPA protections go into effect on the first day of classes of your first term of enrollment. FERPA does not apply to records of applicants for admission who are denied acceptance or, if accepted, do not attend an institution. Former students have the same FERPA protections regarding their education records; however, they may no longer request that a privacy status be placed on them.

Your Rights

FERPA affords students who have attended a post-secondary institution the following rights related to their education records:

• Inspect and review information in your education record
• Request amendment of your education record
• Consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information in your education record
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education (Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202)

A student can grant permission to an individual to have access to the educational record by completing a request with Office of the Registrar.

FERPA for Parents

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of your student’s education records. Once your child enrolls at a postsecondary institution like Cheyney University, these protections apply directly to them — even if they are claimed as a dependent on your taxes. Under FERPA, students control who has access to their educational records, and the University cannot share personally identifiable information without the student’s written consent. This includes grades, class schedules, transcripts, and financial information.

As a parent, FERPA still recognizes a relationship of shared interest for students you claim as a dependent for tax purposes. If your student has provided written consent, or if they are legally recognized as your dependent, you may access their education records. To do this, we ask that you submit proper documentation showing dependency status and that your student completes the appropriate authorization form granting you access. Cheyney University will work with families to help you stay involved — but we must follow federal guidelines to protect student privacy, dignity, and educational rights.

This guide provides additional information on a parent’s rights under FERPA.

FERPA for Faculty

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. There have been numerous suits and issues raised on the question of students’ records and privacy in the past year, so I wanted to provide some guidelines.

As faculty, you have the educational right to view and access student information (academic history, grades, transfer records and advising notes). This access comes with responsibilities to protect those students’ records and information.

Cheyney University does not make directory information generally available to the public. Cheyney University limits its release of directory information for official University purposes, e.g., identifying athletic team members, publishing names of scholarship recipients, graduation lists and Dean’s Lists, issuing academic awards, verifying enrollment or degree status, and providing such information to organizations officially affiliated with the University. Any information other than directory information cannot be released to anyone. See 34 C.F.R §99.37(d)

Additional guidelines for faculty:

As instructors, you have access to students’ grades, but this information is strictly private. Only the student may view their own grades—this restriction includes parents, spouses, and any other third party. Cheyney policy prohibits discussing a student’s academic record over the phone. If a parent requests grade information, they must first provide documentation showing the student was claimed on their income taxes, and both the request and your response must be submitted in writing. Additionally, the student must give written permission before grades can be shared with anyone who does not have a legitimate educational interest.

Social Security numbers and student ID numbers are classified as personally identifiable information and may not be used, in whole or in part, to publicly post grades. Graded coursework should be returned directly to students in class or held securely by department staff for pickup. Leaving graded materials outside your office or in public spaces violates student privacy protections.

As advisors, you may access transcripts, transfer evaluations, and degree audits, but these records must also remain confidential. Whether stored in a shared administrative office or your personal workspace, student files should always be kept out of view when not actively being used for advising purposes.

If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office for clarification.