Student Privacy/FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Description

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Regulations and Guidance

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.  Bowie State University (BSU) adheres to the Department of the Education’s regulations and guidance identified below. 

Tutorial

BSU’s Office of the Registrar has identified 10 Take Aways for FERPA (pdf) to provide students, parents, staff and faculty with a FERPA tutorial of key legislative requirements. 

Forms

  • Student Consent For Access To Education Record (pdf)
    This form should be used if BSU is permitted to disclose information from your education records to your parent(s), guardians or third parties.
  • Opt-Out Ferpa Directory Information (pdf)
    This form should be used if you do not permit BSU to disclose FERPA “directory information” as outlined below. You must complete and submit this form to the Office of the University Registrar.
  • Opt-In Ferpa Directory Information (pdf)
    This form should be used if you have previously completed a FERPA directory Opt-Out Form and would like to allow BSU to disclose FERPA “directory information” as outlined below. You must complete and submit this form to the Office of the University Registrar.

Additional Resources