Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)

This section houses all guidance documents, training materials, policy letters and other resources directly related to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The FERPA regulations can be found here.

Guidance

Integrated Data Systems and Student Privacy

This webinar accompanies the guidance document on Integrated Data Systems. This presentation provides background information on what an Integrated Data System (IDS) is and why educational authorities may choose to participate in one, and clarifies how such authorities can participate in an IDS while ensuring student privacy in compliance with FERPA.

Guidance

Model Form for Disclosure to Parents of Dependent Students

This document is a template for postsecondary institutions to use for eligible students to consent to the disclosure of PII from educational records to their parents.

Guidance

Model Form for Disclosure to Parents of Dependent Students and Consent Form for Disclosure to Parents

This document is a template for postsecondary institutions to use for eligible students to consent to the disclosure of PII from educational records to their parents.

Guidance

FERPA General Guidance for Parents (En Español)

This compliation of letters and guidance documents provides parents with general information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This document is a compilation and update of various letters and guidance documents previously issued that respond to a variety of questions about FERPA. This version is the Spanish translation.

Guidance

Use of Financial Aid Information for Program Evaluation and Research

This webinar provides additional information on the use of Financial Aid Information for program evaluation and how that data sharing operates under FERPA. [Rescinded]

Letters

Rescinded: August 2020 - Cover letter to the Department’s annual notices to SEAs and LEAs

Rescinded: August 2020

The Department of Education (Department) is required to notify annually each State educational agency (SEA) and each local educational agency (LEA) of its obligations, as a recipient of Department funds, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). This is the cover letter to the Department’s annual notices to SEAs and LEAs.

Guidance

Videos

School Volunteers and FERPA

Volunteers are important in helping schools operate efficiently, but it’s important to know your role in protecting student information while helping out in your school. This video explains some of a school volunteer’s responsibilities to help keep the student information they work with private and secure. The Privacy Technical Assistance Center has also released a corresponding brochure that schools can use to help train their volunteers with their legal responsibilities to protect student data. This brochure can be found here.

Guidance

Response to Assistance Request from University of North Carolina

This is a response for technical assistance to the University of North Carolina.

Guidance

School Volunteer Brochure

The Privacy Technical Assistance Center has produced a brochure that schools can use to notify volunteers of their legal responsibilities to preserve student privacy.

Guidance

Understanding the Confidentiality Requirements Applicable to IDEA Early Childhood Programs FAQ

The purpose of this document is to assist early childhood programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—Part B section 611 (Grants to States), Part B section 619 (Preschool Grants), and Part C (Grants for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities)—with addressing privacy and confidentiality questions.

Featured Resources

A Parent Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA provides certain rights for parents regarding their children’s education records. This guide provides general information on a parent’s rights under FERPA.

An Eligible Student Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA provides certain rights for parents regarding their children’s education records. When a student reaches 18 years of age or attends an institution of postsecondary education at any age, the student becomes an “eligible student,” and all rights under FERPA transfer from the parent to the student. This guide provides general information on an eligible student’s rights under FERPA.

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) General Guidance

This document is currently being reviewed and updated. For more information on PPRA please see our August 26th 2026 Dear Colleague letter.

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