Last Updated on August 15, 2024 by Michelle Ball
By Michelle Ball, Sacramento California Expulsion, Special Education, sports/CIF, College, Education and School Attorney/Lawyer for Students since 1995
Parents hold the rights to access student records most of their child’s education. But what happens when a student turns 18 or enters college? Do parents lose all rights to access the student’s education and school records? Maybe not.
Records Rights Until 18 or Entering College
Up until a student turns eighteen or enters a postsecondary education, their parent holds all rights to access student records under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
FERPA Records Rights Don’t Apply to Some Schools
FERPA only applies to schools that receive federal funds, which likely means a college which does not accept federal money (via loans or otherwise), may not be subject to FERPA.
Minor Student in College
Once a student enters a university, the right to access and control their educational records related to that college moves to them. This applies even if a student is a minor.
If a student is attending both college and a regular public high school, this can be tricky for parents.
Basically, the minor student holds the rights to their records at the university, but the parents will continue to have rights at the public high school.
There are exceptions, however, even after they turn 18 or after a student is in a college.
Exception #1: Student On Parents Tax Records as Dependent
If a postsecondary student, even an adult student, is on their parents tax records as a “dependent,” parents may still access the student’s records. This access, however, may be limited to “personally identifiable information” regarding the student.
Per the US Department of Education:
Personally identifiable information for education records is a FERPA term referring to identifiable information that is maintained in education records and includes direct identifiers, such as a student’s name or identification number, indirect identifiers, such as a student’s date of birth, or other information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity either directly or indirectly through linkages with other information.
Exception #2: College Student Commits Drug or Alcohol Offense
If a university student under 21 commits an alcohol or controlled substances (aka drugs) offense, their parents may receive records without the student’s consent.
Exception #3: Student Consents to Release
If a parent does not fit within the above categories, a postsecondary student may still consent to their access. In that case, a parent may obtain or review whatever college records the student agrees to.
Such a waiver/release must be in writing.
This is typically the easiest way to get college records of a child. Just get the student’s written consent and everything should be good to go.
Student rights lawyer Michelle Ball can assist throughout California. As a college education attorney in Sacramento, she may assist throughout California in towns like Davis, Stockton, Tahoe, San Francisco, Elk Grove, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Riverside, Fresno, Galt, Roseville, and others.
