FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) as amended, is a federal law (20 U.S.C. 1232g) that protects the privacy of a student's educational record. FERPA applies to all educational institutions receiving funds from the United States Department of Education. Michigan Tech makes every effort to comply with FERPA, as outlined in the Disclosure and Release of Student Information policy.

The U.S. Department of Education summarizes the rights afforded to students by FERPA as follows:

  • The right to review their educational records within forty-five days from their request
  • The right to request amendment to records they believe to be inaccurate
  • The right to limit disclosure of some personally identifiable information known as directory information
  • The right to file a complaint with the Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) in Washington, DC, if they feel their FERPA rights have been violated

FERPA requires universities to provide students with annual notification of these rights. Michigan Tech's annual notification is available online. Students also receive notification of these rights via email each fall semester. Students who suspect that a FERPA violation has occurred should contact the University Registrar (Administration Building; 906 487-2319), or they can contact the Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) within the US Department of Education.

FERPA Frequently Asked Questions