FERPA - Privacy and Release of Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy of student records. This law applies to institutions that receive funding from the Department of Education. FERPA guarantees students the right to inspect and review their education records, the right to seek to amend education records, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of those records.

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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Protecting Student Privacy - U.S. Department of Education

Student Rights - Montana University System

Annual FERPA Notification to Students

FERPA Release

Students may authorize third parties to access their education records. The following categories of education records may included in this authorization:

  • Transcripts, including course grades and grade point average
  • Financial aid records, including FAFSA and award packaging information
  • Recommendations for employment or admission to other institutions
  • Student account records, including billing, payment, and health center charges
  • Other

A records release may be revoked at any time or filed with a predetermined end date.

Directory Information

FERPA allows institutions to release a student's directory information. Directory information includes the following:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Dates of attendance
  • Degrees and honors
  • Fields of study (majors, minors)
  • Class standing (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior)
  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended
  • Weight and height if the student is a member of an intercollegiate athletic team

Restrict Directory Information

Students may opt to restrict the disclosure of their directory information by filing a request to restrict directory information

Please consider the following when filing a restriction of directory information:

  • You will not be able to get answers about your student record from employees over the phone.
  • You will not be listed on public University communications, such as the Dean's List or graduates lists.
  • Prospective employers, relatives, banks, and others will not be able to verify your education or degrees earned.

This means that if you call a University office (Registrar's Office, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, etc.) with a question, we will inform you that we have no record of you in our system.

You will need to make any changes to your record in person with a government-issued photo ID, from your UMConnect student email, or via another modality with a signed and notarized authorization.

At any time, a student may rescind this restriction using the request to rescind restriction of directory information form.