Frequently Asked Questions: FERPA
faqs

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Student FAQs

 

What are my rights under FERPA?

FERPA outlines rights specific to parents and eligible students.*

Parents and eligible students have the right to:

  • inspect and review the student's education records;
  • request amendment of educational records that the parent/eligible student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights;
  • consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, excluding exceptions where the institution is authorized to disclosure without consent; and
  • file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the educational agency or institution to comply with FERPA requirements.

*Upon becoming an eligible student, all rights transfer from the parent(s)/guardian(s) to the student.

 

When do FERPA rights begin?

A student’s FERPA rights begin upon enrollment; that is, when the student has registered and paid for classes and the classes have begun.

 

Can my parents/guardians obtain information about me?

FERPA grants parents and eligible students access to view and request amendment to educational records, and consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information. Parents receive these rights when the students are dependents, as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. When the student(s) becomes age 18 and older and is no longer claimed as a dependent, the student is considered an “eligible student” and all rights under FERPA transfer to the student.

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What is classified as directory information?

Rollins College classifies the following information as “directory" information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • E-mail address
  • Date and place of birth
  • Individually identifiable photographs of the student solicited or maintained directly by Rollins as part of the educational record
  • Enrollment status, full-/part-time classification, and class level
  • College/division, dates of attendance, and class schedule
  • Major and minor field(s) of study
  • Expected and actual graduation date
  • Degrees, awards, and honors received
  • Official athletic participation and athlete height and weight
  • Name and location of most recent previously attended educational institution

This information is permitted to be disclosed without the student’s consent, provided the student has not restricted the release of this his/her directory information.

 

Who can access my student educational records?

Non-directory information may not be released without prior written consent from the student, with exception of:

  • School officials with legitimate educational interest;
  • Other schools to which a student seeks or intends to enroll;
  • Specified officials, such as Federal, State, or local educational authorities, for the purposes of audit or evaluation of supported educational programs, or enforcement of compliance with legal requirements relating to those programs;
  • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
  • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
  • Accrediting organizations;
  • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
  • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies;
  • State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law;
  • Parents of an "eligible student" to his or her parents if the student is a "dependent student," as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, if either parent has claimed the student as a dependent on the parent's most recent income tax statement, the school may non-consensually disclose the student's education records to both parent;
  • A victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of §99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding;
  • The general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of §99.39, if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her; and
  • Parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21

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How do I restrict release of my directory information?

Rollins College maintains directory information that may be released to the public, by federal law, without your permission. If you would like to restrict, or block, the release of your directory information, contact your unit’s student records office by no later than two weeks after the first day of fall classes each year.

Student records:        

Note: If this restriction is elected, the entire set of directory information is restricted; portions of the directory items may not be individually restricted.

 

How do I authorize the release of my educational record?

Educational records are not released without the written consent of the student, except in the following situations.

  • School officials with legitimate educational interest;
  • Other schools to which a student seeks or intends to enroll;
  • Specified officials, such as Federal, State, or local educational authorities, for the purposes of audit or evaluation of supported educational programs, or enforcement of compliance with legal requirements relating to those programs;
  • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
  • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
  • Accrediting organizations;
  • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
  • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies;
  • State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law;
  • Parents of an "eligible student" to his or her parents if the student is a "dependent student," as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, if either parent has claimed the student as a dependent on the parent's most recent income tax statement, the school may non-consensually disclose the student's education records to both parent;
  • A victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of §99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding;
  • The general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of §99.39, if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her; and
  • Parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21

In the event that a student would like to authorize others to access their student educational record, such as parents (who do not claim the student as a dependent for tax purposes) or College personnel, such as fraternity and sorority life staff for the purposes of fraternity/sorority eligibility and participation, a record release form must be completed and submitted.

To complete the record release, log into FoxLink (https://myfoxlink.rollins.edu/cp/home/loginf), select the Student tab, and click on the “Student Release of Information” link under the Student Forms section. Thoroughly read and complete the authorization form.

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Who should I contact with questions or concerns?

General inquiries:       

Student records:        

Student financial aid records:

Student financial records:

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