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 colleges that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to students when they reach the age of 18 or attend a college beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.”
- Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the college. Colleges are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
- Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a college correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the college decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if Denver College of Nursing still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth their view about the contested information.
- Generally, colleges must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
- College officials with legitimate educational interest.
- Other schools to which a student is transferring.
- Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes.
- 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.
- Colleges may disclose, without consent, ‘directory’ information such as a student’s name, mailing address, telephone number, date and place of birth, degrees, honors and awards received (including naming to honor rolls), and dates of attendance, email address, enrollment status, photograph, major field of study, most recent educational agency or institution attended, or participation in officially recognized activities. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that Denver College of Nursing not disclose directory information about them. Colleges must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification is left to the discretion of each college. Denver College of Nursing notifies students of their rights annually through its catalog. **
** Denver College of Nursing identifies directory information as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance, school email address, enrollment status, photograph, and major field of study.
Note: For additional information or technical assistance, you may call the Family Policy Compliance Office at (202) 260- 3887 (voice). Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877- 8339. Or you may contact the following address: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5901. The Department of Education website is www.ed.gov.
Denver College of Nursing maintains accurate and confidential student records. The College recognizes the right of students to have access to their educational records and to limit such access to others in accordance with the law.
- Students have the right to inspect and review the content of their educational record, not to copies of the records. Records are the sole property of the College.
- Requests for records must be in writing, addressed to the College President.
- The College will comply with written requests for records within forty-five (45) days.
Student records, with certain exceptions, will not be released without prior consent of the student. If there are any questions as to the accuracy or appropriateness of the records, an opportunity for a review of the records may be scheduled with the College President.
Students may challenge their records for the purpose of correcting or deleting any of the contents on the grounds that the records are inaccurate. The challenges must be made in writing with the reason for the requested change stated fully.
Note: Under no circumstances is the College bound by law to change any factual information, nor will the College alter or remove any factual information.