The University of Toledo

FERPA and Confidentiality

If you are faculty or staff click here.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Actof 1974, otherwise known as FERPA, is a Federal Law introduced to give students certain rights regarding the confidentiality of their educational records.

FERPA establishes the rights of the parents and students of any school which receives federal educational funds.  It requires that a written institutional policy complying with the act be established and that a statement of the adopted procedures be published.  Our official publication is the "Confidentiality of Student Records" and is available for review in the University Policy website.  

The University of Toledo will not release sensitive information to a third party without the written consent from the student such as:

• student ID or Social Security number
• grade point average
• grades
• courses taken
• student's schedule

FERPA gives colleges and universities the ability to release non-academic information, or "directory information", without the written consent of the student.  Directory information includes:

• student name
• local address and local phone number
• college and major field of study
• full-time or part-time enrollment status
• class (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• University E-mail address
• dates of attendance
• degrees, certificates, and awards received
• Student photograph (College of Medicine only)
• Graduate Medical Education placement (MD students only)

Students may restrict the release of their Directory Information by selecting the Update Directory Information/Release Status option in the Student tab on the myUT portal or by visiting the Office of the Registrar.

If you have questions regarding FERPA, please contact the Registrar's Office at 419.530.4836.

FERPA Prior Consent Forms for meetings
If a student requests to have someone with them such as a parent, guardian, spouse, or friend, when discussing their educational records with a University official, please complete a FERPA Prior Consent form for meetings.  This form states that the student gives consent to the disclosure of their educational records, including personally identifiable information for the purpose of a specific discussion or review on a specific date. The University official must retain this release for future reference.

FERPA Presentation 
A FERPA presentation is available for your review (click image below).  This presentation is used in Banner training (PowerPoint format)