FERPA
The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, provides students' rights of access to their education records, as well as limited control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from their education records. The University’s commitment to safeguard student privacy and comply with the regulations is reflected in Policy AC 04 and Procedure AC 04.
FAQs
What are a student’s primary rights under FERPA?
- The right to inspect and review their education record
- The right to seek to amend their education record
- The right to exercise limited control over the disclosure of information contained in their education record
- The right to report a violation of FERPA to the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Pitt to comply with the requirements of FERPA
Who is considered a student under FERPA?
An individual who is or has been in attendance at the University and for whom the University maintains an education record. Further, this includes but is not limited to: (a) the period of time during which a student attends or attended the University in person or through remote engagement or (b) the period during which a student is working under a work-study program. A student is considered to begin the period of attendance at the University for purposes of this policy once they are registered for their initial term of enrollment.
What are education records?
Records directly related to a student and maintained by the University or a party acting for the University. (See policy AC 04 for exceptions to this definition.)
What are some examples of when FERPA authorizes the disclosure of education records without a student’s written consent?
- When the disclosure is to other School Officials with Legitimate Educational Interest.
- When the disclosure is in connection with financial aid that the student has applied for or received if the information is needed to determine the student’s eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of aid, determine the conditions for the receipt of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
- When the disclosure is to the parents of a dependent student as defined under section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
- When the disclosure is to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
- When the disclosure is in connection with a health or safety emergency to appropriate parties if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other individuals.
- When the disclosure is information that the University has designated as Directory Information, and the student has not restricted disclosure of such information.
If I am a parent of a student, do I have the right to access my student’s education records, especially if I pay the bill?
The rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student once the student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age. However, an institution may disclose information from a student’s education records to the parents of a dependent student, without the student's consent, if the student is a dependent for federal income tax purposes.
Directory Information
This is information contained in an education record that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. You may choose to further restrict access to your records by completing the Non-Disclosure of Directory Information form. Please refer to the Notification of Rights Under FERPA document and online Non-Disclosure form for additional information and a complete list of the student information that would be restricted.
Forms
For additional information regarding FERPA:
Notification of Rights Under FERPA (pdf)
University of Pittsburgh FERPA: Access to and Disclosure of Education Records Policy (AC 04)
U.S. Department of Education: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA Training and Resources for Faculty and Staff
NOTE: Greensburg students should use Greensburg campus FERPA forms.
For further information regarding this or other concerns with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, contact:
Office of the Registrar
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
120 Millstein Library
150 Finoli Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601