{"id":744,"date":"2014-08-25T13:08:41","date_gmt":"2014-08-25T17:08:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/reg\/?page_id=744"},"modified":"2025-01-08T14:26:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T19:26:18","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/reg\/academics\/ferpa\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FERPA FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is FERPA and where can I find more information?<\/h4>
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FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student\u2019s education record and generally requires a student\u2019s consent before such records are released. Information about students\u2019 rights under FERPA and Boston University\u2019s policies in implementing FERPA can be found at www.bu.edu\/reg\/ferpa\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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What are education records?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

With certain exceptions, education records are all records relating to a student that are maintained by the University.<\/p>\n

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As a parent, am I allowed to have access to my child\u2019s education record?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

Once a student matriculates at Boston University, parents no longer have an automatic right to access their education records. Instead, the access rights that parents had when the student was in elementary and high school transfer to the student, regardless of their age.<\/p>\n

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Can I call University officials to find out how my child is doing?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

Students have primary responsibility for keeping parents informed about their progress at Boston University. This policy reflects the University\u2019s view that students should be treated as responsible adults and that our practices should promote each student\u2019s growth and independence.<\/p>\n

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What if my child is a minor?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

The University\u2019s policy regarding communication with parents applies equally to students who are minors. Rights under FERPA transfer to the student, regardless of age, upon their matriculation into an undergraduate program at a college or university.<\/p>\n

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What if my child is my dependent?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

FERPA permits, but does not require, a college to communicate with the parents of dependent students without the students\u2019 written consent. Boston University has determined that, except in limited circumstances, communication with parents should be based on the student\u2019s consent.<\/p>\n

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In what situations will the University contact me about my child?<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

If a student has provided Consent to Disclosure of information from their education records, the University will communicate with parents in the following situations:<\/p>\n