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Information for parents

What is FERPA?

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a Federal law that applies to educational agencies and institutions that receive funding under a program administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA rights are given to students

At the postsecondary level, parents have no inherent rights to inspect their son’s or daughter’s education records. The right to inspect is limited solely to the student.

Records may be released to parents only if:

  1. A written consent is provided by the student.
  2. Submission of evidence that the parents declare the student as a dependent on their most recent Federal Income Tax return.

Education records under FERPA

Education records are defined as records that are:

  • Directly related to a student
  • Maintained by the College of Southern Idaho or by a party acting on the behalf of the College.

Records that are NOT education records include:

  • Sole possession records
  • Law enforcement unit records
  • Employment records (with the exception of work study)
  • Medical records
  • Post attendance records

Directory information

Schools may disclose, without consent, directory information. Eligible students may request that the school not disclose directory information about them.
Directory information is defined as the following:

  • Student’s name
  • Student’s address listings
  • Student’s phone number listings
  • Student’s e-mail address
  • Student’s photograph
  • The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended
  • Enrollment status
  • Full-time/part-time status
  • Dates of attendance
  • Major
  • Freshman/sophomore standing
  • Candidacy for degrees/certificates
  • Degrees conferred and dates
  • Awards and honors received
  • Participation records in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Height and weight of members of athletic teams

What can parents access according to FERPA?

  • When a student reaches the age of 18 or registers for classes at the College of Southern Idaho, regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the student.
  • Parents may obtain directory information at the discretion of the institution.
  • Parents may obtain non-directory information (grades, GPA, etc.) by obtaining written consent from their child.
  • Parents may obtain non-directory information after it has been determined that their child is legally their dependent.

FERPA Forms

  • The Release of Information (FERPA) form must be completed and submitted by the student. It can be downloaded from the FERPA Forms page. 

Contact

With any questions or concerns a parent may have concerning their child, they should contact the CSI Office of the Registrar at 208-732-6795.

For more information, please visit U.S. Department of Education website.