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What is FERPA?

  • A federal law, which states that colleges and universities will maintain the confidentiality of student education records.
  • Applies to all educational agencies or colleges that receive funds under any program administered by the US Secretary of Education.

Education Record

An education record is defined as any record that directly identifies a student and is maintained by the institution or educational agency or by a party acting for the institution or educational agency. A key distinction of education records is that education records are shared. Education records can exist in any medium including the following: handwritten, typed, computer generated, videotape, audiotape, film, microfilm, microfiche, e-mail, and others.

SLCC Directory Information

FERPA identifies certain information, called directory information that may be disclosed without the student's permission. SLCC will not release Personally Identifiable information or records relating to a student to any individual, agency or organization without the written consent of the student as described in FERPA regulations, except directory information, which may be released upon request unless the student specifically withholds permission to do so. Although directory information may be released, the Office of the Registrar and Academic Records strongly recommends that no information is released without student consent.

SLCC has designated the following information as directory information:

  1. Student's Name
  2. Address*
  3. Telephone number*
  4. Date of birth
  5. Major field of study
  6. Dates of attendance
  7. Enrollment Status
  8. Degrees and awards received
  9. Most recent previous educational agency/college
  10. Participation in recognized activities/sports
  11. E-mail address
  12. Student Photograph

*SLCC employees are advised not to release address and telephone information.

A student may prevent directory information from being disclosed by completing a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information form and submit it in person to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Records. (The Disclosure Form Agreement remains so until revoked by the student.)

FERPA Training

Available on the Required Training site.

Compliance Requirements

Student FERPA rights are posted annually at www.slcc.edu and also in the catalog under College Policies under Academic Policies and Procedures. If students believe that such rights have been violated, they may contact the Family Policy Compliance Office at the Department of Education, 400 Marylan Ave SW, Washington DC 2002-4605. Additional information is available at

U.S. Department of Education: Protecting Student Privacy.

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