The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students three basic rights:

1. The right to inspect and review their education records.

2. The right to have some control over the disclosure of their education records.

3. The right to seek the amendment of incorrect education records.

FERPA applies to all institutions that receive funds administered by the Secretary of Education.  FERPA applies to the education records of individuals, regardless of age, who are currently, or who have been, in attendance in postsecondary institutions.  Education records are those records which are directly related to a student and are maintained by an institution or a party acting for the institution.

Except under conditions specified in the Act (see FERPA Annual Notification), institutions may not disclose information contained in a student's education records to any third party, including parents (see Parents and FERPA), without the student's written permission.