Annual Notification
Consistent with its obligations, the University notifies students annually of their rights under FERPA. Notification is sent to students via official UA email and is available online.
Access to Student Information
Students generally have the right to restrict the release of their student information or to authorize the release of information to specified individuals. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act requires that the University, with certain exceptions, obtain the student’s written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the student’s education records. At the postsecondary education level, parents have no inherent rights to access or inspect their child’s education records.
Guest Center Account
Students can grant parents and others access to their UAccess Student Center information. The guest account can be utilized by student-authorized individuals to view select student information, potentially including class schedules, financial aid disbursements, and final course grades. Guest access also provides the ability for guests to pay student tuition bills, but not to make changes to the student's record.
Function: student can designate a person to have access to view select information and make payments on the student's account.
Initiation: Student
Release of Information (FERPA) Authorization
Students can designate the level of record access that can be released to appropriate parties in UAccess Student Center. Students are able to grant the level of access, purposes, the named parties who have access, and the length of time for which the access is available.
Note that this authorization does not allow for anyone to make changes to student records.
Function: Access to any person to view student records, with level of access and duration of access at the student's discretion.
Initiation: Student
Parent Affidavit
Records, including progress, deficiencies, and grades, may be released to parents only if they have been given a written release by the student or if the child is considered a dependent for tax purposes and a Parent Affidavit has been filed in the Registrar’s Office. The Parent Affidavit must be notarized and will be in effect for one year.
Function: One-year access for parent to view student grades
Initiation: Parent or Legal Guardian
Are you interested in how FERPA protects students? Learn More About FERPA
Students' Rights to Inspect and Review, and to Seek Amendment of Their Education Records
Students and former students have the right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days from making such a request. The institution is not required to permit students to inspect and review the following:
- Information about other students
- Financial records of parents
- Confidential letters of recommendation if they waived their right of access
If a student believes their education records contain information that is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their rights of privacy or other rights, they may ask the University to amend the record. The University will review the request within a reasonable period of time and make a determination regarding the request. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, it shall inform the student of its decision and of the student's right to a hearing to challenge the content of the student's education records. Requests for hearings must be submitted to the University Registrar, who will arrange the hearing and inform the student of the date, time, and location. At the hearing, the student will have an opportunity to present relevant evidence and may, at their own expense, be assisted or represented by one or more individuals of their own choice, including an attorney
If, as a result of the hearing, the University decides that the contested information is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student, it shall amend the record accordingly and inform the student of the amendment in writing. If the University decides that the information in the education record is not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student, it shall inform the student of their right to place a statement in the record commenting on the contested information in the record or stating why they disagree with the decision of the University. This statement will be maintained as part of the education record as long as the contested portion of the record is maintained, and whenever a copy of the education record is sent to any party, the student's statement will be included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Consistent with its obligations, the University notifies students annually of their rights under FERPA. Notification is sent to students via official UA email and is available online.
A student’s FERPA rights begin when the student registers for their first class.
Students have the right to inspect the contents of their education records regardless of their financial status with the University. However, the University is not required to release an official transcript if the student has a past due account.
Student judicial records containing information surrounding suspected violations of the Student Code of Conduct are protected by FERPA. The Dean of Student’s office will only release information contained in university judicial records under the following conditions:
- Violations related to the possession/consumption of alcohol and/or drugs involving students under the age of 21
- Serious health and safety concerns
- Students have signed a FERPA release with the Dean of Students Office
The University may disclose to third parties any student information that is designated as directory information, provided the student has not restricted such information from disclosure. Students must request a restriction through UAccess, which will remain in effect until the student requests a change. Students who wish to have specific directory information released may do so by providing a written authorization to the Registrar's Office.
Students who wish to restrict their names should note the following:
- Your name will not appear in university publications, including the commencement bulletin.
- Third parties will be denied all your information and will be informed that the University has no information available about your attendance.
Students have a right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University of Arizona to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
Student Privacy Policy Office
US Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
Students who perform institutional functions may be deemed "school officials" with "legitimate educational interest" in accessing designated educational records of other students. The requirements and responsibilities for these student workers are the same as those that exist for full-time staff; therefore student workers must complete FERPA training.
The privacy rights of a student expire with that student’s death.
Students can grant parents and others access to their UAccess Student Center account. The guest account can be utilized by student-authorized individuals to view select student information, potentially including class schedules, financial aid disbursements, and final course grades. Guest access also provides the ability for guests to pay student tuition bills.
To remove the release of personal information (FERPA) authorization from an individual or agency, please send an email to reghelp@arizona.edu.