Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) sets forth the requirements regarding the privacy of student records, known as education records. These regulations govern (1) release of education records and (2) access to them. At postsecondary institutions, anyone who is enrolled (regardless of age) and former students are protected by FERPA. More information can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website.

FERPA FAQ Series #1

Q. I have a couple of students in my class who are minors. One is a concurrently enrolled high school student who is only sixteen. His father has asked for information about his progress - whether he is attending and if he is passing. If a student is a minor, it’s OK to share information to his parents, isn’t it?

A. No. At postsecondary institutions, any current or former student, regardless of age, is protected by FERPA regulations.

Q. Even if the parent verifies that the student is his tax dependent?

A. No, not at Central Piedmont. FERPA says that colleges may provide student information to parents who claim a student for tax purposes - but not that we must. At CPCC this is neither our policy, nor our practice.