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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, provides students with the right to access their education records and limited control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from those records. Trinity College is committed to safeguarding student privacy and complying with FERPA regulations.

FERPA FAQs

What are a student’s primary rights under FERPA?

  • The right to inspect and review their education record
  • The right to seek to amend their education record
  • The right to exercise limited control over the disclosure of information contained in their education record
  • The right to report a violation of FERPA to the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Trinity College to comply with FERPA requirements.

Who is considered a student under FERPA?

An individual who is or has been in attendance at Trinity College and for whom the College maintains an education record. This includes, but is not limited to:
(a) the period during which a student attends or attended the College in person or through remote engagement, or (b) the period during which a student participates in a work-study program. A student is considered to begin the period of attendance at the College for FERPA purposes once they are registered for their initial term of enrollment.

What are education records?

Education records are records directly related to a student and maintained by Trinity College or a party acting for the College.

What are some examples of when FERPA authorizes the disclosure of education records without a student’s written consent?

  • When the disclosure is to other School Officials with Legitimate Educational Interest.
  • When the disclosure is in connection with financial aid that the student has applied for or received if the information is needed to determine the student’s eligibility for aid, determine the amount of aid, determine the conditions for the receipt of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
  • When the disclosure is to the parents of a dependent student, as defined under Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
  • When the disclosure is to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
  • When the disclosure is in connection with a health or safety emergency to appropriate parties, if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other individuals.
  • When the disclosure is information that Trinity College has designated as Directory Information, and the student has not restricted disclosure of such information.

What is Directory Information?

Directory Information is information in an education record that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Trinity College considers the following elements of education records to be directory information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone Number
  • E-mail Address
  • Dates of Attendance
  • Enrollment Status
  • Level and Classification
  • Field(s) of Study
  • Degree Candidacy and/or Expected Graduation Date
  • Degree(s) Conferred and Credential(s) Awarded, including the Date(s) of such Conferrals or Awards
  • Awards, Scholarships, and Honors
  • Thesis and Dissertation Titles
  • Previous Institution(s) Attended
  • Image or Likeness
  • Past and Present Participation in Officially Recognized College Activities
  • Date of Birth

If I am a parent of a student, do I have the right to access my student’s education records, especially if I pay the bill?

The rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student once the student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age. However, Trinity College may disclose information from a student’s education records to the parents of a dependent student without the student’s consent if the student is a dependent for federal income tax purposes.