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    • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

    Registration & Records

    FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents certain rights regarding their children’s education records, which transfer to the student once they turn 18 or enroll in a postsecondary institution.

    Your Rights Under FERPA

    Once FERPA rights transfer to the student, they include: 

    • The right to review or request to modify personal education records.
    • The right to limit disclosure of personally identifiable information, such as what is listed in the UT Directory (name, phone number, address, date or place of birth, dates of attendance, honors, and awards). 
    • The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education if you believe UT has failed to comply with FERPA regulations. 

    Parental Rights Under FERPA

    Parents have the right to review and request changes to their child’s education records and may request a formal hearing if the institution declines to make a change. These rights transfer to the student once they turn 18 or enroll in a postsecondary institution. After this transfer, parents no longer have access to education records under FERPA unless the student grants permission by adding them as an Authorized User (AU).

    Sharing Records Without Consent

    Generally, UT must receive written permission from the parent or eligible student to release information from a student’s record. However, FERPA allows disclosure without consent in limited cases, including:

    • When another institution where the student is transferring requests the records
    • When an auditor requires records for evaluation
    • When the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships needs the records
    • In compliance with judicial order or subpoena
    • When an organization is conducting research on behalf of or for UT

    Learn more about FERPA at UT