What is Ferpa?

“The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) 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.”

Under the FERPA Act of 1974, The University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) is restricted in releasing student information without the consent of the student. In order for a parent or any third party to have access to restricted information, the student must complete a FERPA waiver for the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR). The OSRR FERPA waiver is completed on a case by case basis and is office specific. Therefore your student cannot proactively sign a waiver and waivers signed for other UNC Greensboro offices will not suffice. Without a FERPA waiver form, OSRR staff is unable to discuss any details regarding the alleged violation with any party other than the student.

Detailed information about FERPA at UNC Greensboro can be found in the University Policy Statement at ferpa.uncg.edu.

Please note: The law allows the University to release directory information and other information about students under certain circumstances. Examples include a health or safety emergency, a lawful subpoena or court order, or to authorized Federal, State, or Local employees. For more information, visit the Student Privacy website from the US Department of Education.