Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act (FERPA)

In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Tennessee State University’s policy on the Disclosure of Educational Records, a student may grant the University the right to release confidential information such as grades, academic progress reports, class attendance records, financial aid, disciplinary actions, financial account information, to parent(s)/ guardians(s)/ spouse by completing the Student Consent to Release Confidential Information Form which is available through the Records Office.

Under FERPA, when a student turns 18 years of age or enrolls at a postsecondary institution at any age, all parental FERPA rights are transferred to the student. However, FERPA does provide for some information to be shared by schools with parents or legal guardians without the student’s consent. Examples are: (1) disclosure of educational records if the student is a dependent for income tax purposes. This would apply to a student who was a dependent for the most recent tax year; (2) disclosure of educational records if a health or safety emergency involves their student; or (3) if the student is under age 21 and has violated any law or policy concerning the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substance. Parents should discuss their intentions to obtain confidential information with their student and request that the student share the information with them by providing access to their myTSU account or the student may complete the Student Consent to Release Confidential Information Form.

The release does not apply to information such as counseling and health records protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Authorization is valid as long as the student is enrolled at Tennessee State University or until receipt of a written statement from the student cancelling the request to release confidential information.

For more information, visit
Tennessee State University web site or U.S. Department of Education web site