Tuition and Financial Aid

FERPA Frequently Asked Questions

What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords you, as a student, the right to have access to your education records, the right to seek to have your records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your education records. The FERPA statute is found at 20 U.S.C. § 1232(g) and the FERPA regulations are found at 34 CFR Part 99.

What is an educational record?

Any record that contains personally identifiable information that is directly related to you is an education record under FERPA. This information can also include records kept by Grantham University in the form of student files, student system databases kept in storage devices such as servers, or recordings or broadcasts which may include student projects. The records may be maintained by Grantham University or by a party or organization acting on behalf of Grantham. Such records may include:

  • Written documents
  • Computer media
  • Microfilm and microfiche
  • Video or audio tapes or CDs
  • Film
  • Photographs

How am I informed about my rights under FERPA?

Grantham University is required to notify you about your rights under FERPA. Section 99.7 of the FERPA regulations sets forth the requirements for the notification. Grantham University does not have to individually notify you but does have to notify you by any means that are reasonably likely to inform you of your rights. Grantham notifies students via the web, the University Catalog, and a link to the University Catalog on the Student Portal.

Under what circumstances may Grantham University disclose information from my education records without my consent?

There are several exceptions to FERPA’s general prior consent rule that are set forth in the statute and the regulations. See § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. One exception is the disclosure of “directory information” if Grantham University follows certain procedures set forth in FERPA. (34 CFR § 99.31(a)(11).)

What is “Directory Information”?

FERPA defines “directory information” as information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Typically, “directory information” includes information such as name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and dates of attendance. Grantham University may disclose “directory information” to third parties without consent if it has given public notice of the types of information which it has designated as “directory information,” your right to restrict the disclosure of such information, and the period of time within which you have to notify the school in writing that you do not want any or all of those types of information designated as “directory information.” The means of notification could include publication in various sources, including a newsletter, in a local newspaper, or in the student handbook. Grantham University could also include the “directory information” notification as part of the general notification of rights under FERPA. Grantham University does not have to notify a student individually. (34 CFR § 99.37.).

How do I request that some or all of my Directory Information not be disclosed?

You have the right to prevent the disclosure of some or all of you directory information by Grantham University. To request that your Directory Information not be disclosed, please complete and sign the Request for Non-Disclosure of Directory Information form. The form should then be returned to the University Registrar via e-mail at registrar@grantham.edu or fax at 816.595.5757.

Are there situations in which Grantham University may disclose my records to persons outside the Institution without my consent?

Disclosure of confidential records to third parties may be made in an emergency situation, if necessary, to protect you or other persons against a threat to the safety or health of either, when, due to the exigent circumstances, consent cannot be obtained. Disclosure shall be limited to the necessary information only, and to the persons who need to know the information. Disclosure shall also be made pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena or judicial order. For a more detailed list of circumstances for which the University may disclose information without a student’s consent, please refer to the University Catalog.

How do I consent to the release of my education records?

If you are a Grantham University student, you may authorize the release of your record to someone or some agency other than a Grantham University employee. In order for the University to release these records, it must have your consent. To give your consent:

How do I revoke my consent to release my education records?

You may revoke your consent after you have given it. Complete and sign a Revocation of Consent form. You may print this form from our Web site or you may request a form from the Registrar by sending an e-mail to registrar@grantham.edu. Return the form via e-mail to registrar@grantham.edu or fax at 816.595.5757.

How do I authorize disclosure of information from my student record to someone who is interacting with Grantham on my behalf?

You may provide Grantham with a properly executed power of attorney indicating a third party’s right to act on your behalf. You may also complete a Consent to Disclose Student Information to a Third Party form. A properly executed consent will allow Grantham to disclose to a designated third party any information that is defined in the consent. The written consent must state the purpose of the disclosure, specify the records that may be disclosed, identify the party to whom the information may be made, and be signed and dated. This consent may be withdrawn by completing a Revocation of Consent to Disclose Student Information to a Third Party. You may print these forms from our Web site or you may request the forms from the Registrar by sending an e-mail to registrar@grantham.edu. Return the forms via e-mail to registrar@grantham.edu or fax at 816.595.5757.

For a complete description of your rights under FERPA, see Notification of Rights Under FERPA.