Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 protects the privacy of student educational records, grants students the right to inspect and review their records, and provides procedures for correcting inaccurate or misleading information. Laredo College complies with FERPA and informs students of their rights by publishing general policies in the college catalog and detailed procedures in the Student Handbook.
Student Rights Under FERPA
Students have the following rights regarding their educational records:
- Right to Access – Students may inspect and review their educational records by submitting a written request to the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.
- Right to Request Corrections – If a student believes their record contains inaccurate or misleading information, they may request an amendment.
- Right to File a Complaint – Students may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe Laredo College has failed to comply with FERPA.
- Right to Control Disclosure – In most cases, student records cannot be released without written consent. However, FERPA allows for certain exceptions.
Disclosure of Student Information
- To Parents or Legal Guardians – Student information may be provided to parents or legal guardians without written consent if the student is a financial dependent as defined under Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Directory Information – FERPA permits the release of "directory information" without student consent unless the student has opted out. This includes name, major, enrollment status, and awards.
- Other Exceptions – Certain officials, agencies, or institutions may access records without consent under specific FERPA exemptions.
The Office of the Registrar maintains a Directory of Records, listing all educational records retained by Laredo College. All rights and protections under FERPA belong to the student once they are enrolled at the college.
For more details, visit the Office of the Registrar.