Federal Education Rights Privacy Act - FERPA

The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, and its implementing federal regulations affords to persons who are currently, or were formerly, in attendance at the University as registered students a right of access to their "educational records" that contain information directly related to such persons. Persons who unsuccessfully applied for admission to the University are not covered by the Act. An unsuccessful applicant for admission to one of the schools or divisions of the University is not considered to be a "student" of that school or division even if the applicant is in attendance at another school or division of the University.

The Act also restricts the persons to whom the University may disclose a student's education records without the student's written permission.

For more information, please view the Columbia University Policy on Access to Student Records (FERPA).