Kennesaw State University Parent Guide
FERPA-What is this and Why do I need to know about it?
FERPA stands for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and is a federal law that addresses the confidentiality of educational records. Unlike in high school, in college the educational records belong to the student, regardless of the student’s age (even if your student is under 18, your student must grant permission for you to access confidential records).
Students may grant permission, in writing, to allow any other parties access to specific confidential records. Each office that maintains records has procedures on how to access and/or share those specific records. Students cannot sign a “blanket waiver” granting full access to all confidential records at all times, but must specific which records can be accessed, by whom, and when.
All parents and students are encouraged to read the KSU Undergraduate Catalog and KSU Student Handbook. Both documents are available online and in hardcopy, and include an explanation of the university’s policies related to confidentiality of records. The best way for parents to learn about what is going on in their students’ lives at KSU is to ask them, and when necessary, parents and students are encouraged to visit campus offices together.
