FERPA

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. It is a federal law that governs the release of and access to education records. FERPA applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education, including Northwest Vista College.

NVC Records and Transcripts - FERPA Links to an external site. (halfway down the page)

FERPA applies to all students, regardless of age or physical presence on campus, and covers all student records. It does not apply to "directory information" such as a student's name, dates of attendance, major, classification, enrollment status, previous institutions attended, degrees awarded, and academic honors. Only "directory information" may be disclosed to others without the student's consent. Click here to learn more about what constitutes directory information. Links to an external site. There are circumstances, however, in which information may be released to specific requesters under specific circumstances. Please see the FAQs and Training Presentation linked below for complete information.

Here's a good little 4-minute video that explains what we need to know about FERPA:

In short, faculty should not give out student information (such as a student's spouse asking if their spouse has been attending class, requests from the media, or parents asking about their child's grades). The Alamo Colleges Legal Office Links to an external site. can provide specific guidance and interpretation of FERPA laws and policies that affect student records and information.

FERPA training is required for all employees to meet compliance regulations. FERPA training is available in AlamoTALENT. To access it, please log into ACES, Employee tab, and Enter AlamoTALENT in the right column. Search for "FERPA," select the choice with the blue computer screen icon, request a session, and then complete it online.

FERPA Resources

FERPA Training Presentation (PPT) Download FERPA Training Presentation (PPT)

FERPA FAQs Links to an external site.

FERPA Policy Links to an external site.

FERPA Consent Form Links to an external site.

FERPA Request for Nondisclosure Form Links to an external site.

Alamo Colleges Policy F.4.1 Student Records Links to an external site.

Alamo Colleges Procedure F.4.1.1 Access to Student Records Links to an external site.

Alamo Colleges Procedure F.4.1.2 Amendments to Student Records Links to an external site.