FERPA

FGCU is concerned about the privacy of your student’s records. When you student was in elementary school and high school, FERPA gave parents and students the right to access their educational records. That same law now transfers ownership of their records solely to the student. FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, considers college students, regardless of their age, responsible adults who now have the right to determine who can access their educational records. While parents and family members understandably have an interest in their students’ education, a student must now grant you access to their official records.

How can I gain access to my student’s information?

The quickest, easiest way to get information about your student’s grades, university bill, or other information is from your student. Most of this information is available to them through their Gulfline account.

What is covered by FERPA?

An “educational record” includes information such as your student’s grades, discipline record, and financial statements.

What is a waiver form?

Your student can sign a Third Party Release form and submit it in person to the Office of the Records and Registration, with a photo ID, granting you or others official consent to access their records.

If I don’t have access to my student’s records, how can I pay the bill?

Your student can grant you an Authorized User Account. Authorized Users have the ability to log in directly to the Bill and Payment Center to view the student account, make payments, and receive statement notifications. Please note this access is only for the Bill and Payment Center, not the entirety of Gulfline. The student can assign Authorized

Users by following the steps below:

1. Log into Gulfline 2. Click on Bill & Payment Center 3. On the far right-hand side of the screen under My Profile Setup click on Authorized Users 4. Click on Add Authorized User and follow the steps

What’s the bottom line?

Students have a right to privacy when it comes to their educational records. IF you would like to know about their grades, bill, or other information, the best thing to do is keep open lines of communication and share your expectations about what information you need your student to share and when they should share that information. If you both agree that it makes the most sense to grant you access, your student can submit a Third Party Release form through the Office of Records and Registration.

More information about FERPA can be obtained from the Office of Records and Registration at orr@fgcu.edu or 239-590-7980. You can visit their website at fgcu.edu/recordsandregistration/guidelines/ferpa

What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a United States federal law that governs the access to educational information and records by public entities such as potential employers, publicly funded educational institutions, and foreign governments.