FERPA

ABU maintains student records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which affords students the right to inspect and review their educational records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from the records. The law generally requires that written consent of the student be received before personally identifiable data about the student is released. Institutions may release, without written consent, those items specified as public or directory information, provided the institution informs students of the data designated as public information and gives students prior opportunity to refuse disclosure of any or all categories of that information.

Directory information at ABU is currently specified to include name, address, telephone number, major (program of study), participation in recognized sports and activities, dates of attendance, full-time/part-time status, most recent educational institution attended, degree(s) received, honors received, date and place of birth, weight and height of members of athletic teams, and videos used for educational purposes.  A student may have their public or directory information made confidential by submitting a written nondisclosure request to the Registrar’s Office. 

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If a student feels that information other than directory information has been made public in violation of this act, they may contact the Registrar’s Office to file a formal grievance.  A student has the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Copies of the entire policy or information about specific procedures may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. 

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Exceptions: 

Records may be released to parents without a signed consent from the student under certain exceptions. These include: 

• In a health or safety emergency. 

• Where the student has violated a law or the school’s policies governing alcohol or substance abuse if the student is under 21 years old. 

• By submission of evidence that the parents declare the student as a dependent on their most recent Federal Income Tax form. 

 

Parents who wish to access their student's education records without the express written permission of the student may provide a copy of the previous year's tax form demonstrating that the student is a dependent for tax purposes to the Office of the Registrar. 

In a legal separation or divorce situation, biological parents have equal standing as custodial parents to gain access to the student’s education records. 

ABU encourages parents to respect the student's ownership of his or her education record at the university level and seek ways to gain needed information while safeguarding the student's rights and responsibilities. Faculty will make every attempt to communicate with and through the student, as an important maturation point for college students. 

 

FERPA Annual Notice 2024-2025 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the confidentiality of student education records. FERPA rights transfer from a parent to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students must submit the FERPA Consent Form before ABU will release the student's educational records to a third-party. 

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FERPA provides students a number of rights, including:  

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1. The right to inspect and review your education record within 45 days of the University’s receipt of an access request. Students should submit a written request identifying the record(s) they wish to inspect to the Office of the Registrar, Vice President of Academic Affairs, department chair, or another appropriate official. The university official will make access arrangements and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. 

2. The right to request an amendment of your education record if you believe it is inaccurate or misleading. If you feel there is an error on your record, you should submit a written statement to the University official responsible for the record that clearly identifies the part of the record you want to be changed and why you believe it is inaccurate or misleading. That office will notify you of their decision and advise you regarding appropriate steps if you do not agree with the decision. FERPA does not grant the right to contest a grade for a course or assignment. 

3. The right to consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational record, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Examples of exceptions to the consent of disclosure include:  

   • Access to educational records by ABU officials with a legitimate educational interest in the records. A school official is defined as a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the University has contracted to provide a service; a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the university. 

   • Parents who establish the student’s dependency for federal income tax purposes.  

   • Upon request, ABU will disclose educational records to officials of another college or university to which the student seeks or intends to enroll. 

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Such complaints may be directed to the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office, 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202-8520. More information is available at https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/file-a-complaint. 

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Directory Information 

ABU has designated the following student information as directory information that it may disclose to the public without the consent of the student: 

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Directory information at ABU is currently specified to include  

• name 

• address 

• telephone number 

• major (program of study) 

• participation in recognized sports and activities 

• dates of attendance 

• full-time/part-time status 

• most recent educational institution attended 

• degree(s) received 

• honors received 

• date and place of birth 

• weight and height of members of athletic teams, and  

• videos used for educational purposes.  

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The University may, in its considered discretion, release directory information where the release will aid the University in its mission; where a release is made to benefit students; or to University affiliates and partners. The University will generally not release directory information to marketers or other entities who seek to advertise themselves or their products to students. 

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Students have the right to make their directory information confidential. Students must file a written nondisclosure request with the Office of the Registrar. Forms and more information are available with the Office of the Registrar. 

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More details about your rights and information on related university policies are available from the Office of the Registrar.  Questions concerning FERPA should be referred to registrar@abu.edu.