What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Amendment) or FERPA is a federal law that protects the access and disclosure of your educational records maintained by the University. It states that all educational records and information can only be released to the student directly unless the student has given specific, written permission to release that information to a third party. FERPA does, however, allow the University to release information referred to as “directory information” without students’ permission. This type of information is generally considered not to be harmful if released.
Click to read the Annual Notification Letter for Students emailed at the beginning of the academic year.
Your Rights?
As a Youngstown State University Student, your educational records are considered confidential and will not be released without your written and signed consent.
Under FERPA you have the right to:
- access your educational records
- seek to have records amended
- consent disclosure of educational records
When is consent not required?
- Directory information
- School officials who have a legitimate educational interest with in the context of their role to fulfill their responsibility
- Officials of educational institutions which the student seeks to enroll
- Specified federal, state, or local officials for audit purposes
- Organizations providing a source of financial aid to a student
- Organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of the institution
- Accreditation organizations
- Individuals authorized through a judicial order and/or subpoena
- Parents of a dependent student (FAFSA/IRS information only)
- Parents of dependent students under the age of 21 who violate alcohol or drug policies.
- Appropriate individuals in connection with health/safety emergency
- Additional conditions listed by FERPA
Directory Information
Can be released without your written consent:
- Student Personal Information
- Name
- Address (local, home, and email)
- Telephone (local and home)
- Student Academic Records
- Program of study (including college of enrollment, major, and campus)
- Enrollment status (full-time, part-time, withdrawn)
- Dates of Attendance and graduation
- Degrees, honors and awards received
- Previous educational agencies or institutions attended
- Student Athlete Information
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height of members of intercollegiate athletic teams
Restrict Release of Directory Information
As a currently-enrolled student, you may restrict access to your directory information, or may remove your information from public directories. To request a privacy hold on your record, you must complete a STUDENT PRIVACY HOLD FORM. A confidentiality marker is placed on your record, preventing Youngstown State University from sharing any of your directory information and/or educational records to anyone expect you, the student, in person with a valid photo ID. This means your information is not permitted to be shared with anyone.
Other examples of potential impacts include the following: no acknowledgement of enrollment, no verification of degrees to requestors, no printing of your name in the commencement program, and no press releases pertaining to graduation and/or honors. To remove a privacy hold on your record, you must come to the Penguin Service Center with a valid photo ID.
These forms must be submitted in person with a photo ID to the Penguin Service Center. Students have the right to rescind these forms at any time.
Educational Records
Can be released with your written consent:
- Student Personal Information
- Student ID number
- Race, gender, country of citizenship, or religion
- Student Academic Records
- Course schedule
- Academic transcript
- Grades, GPA, and credit hours
- Academic standing
- Academic holds
- Test scores
- Student Financial Records
- Student Account & Billing Records
- Academic Advising Information
- Housing Information/Action
Release of Educational Records
Education Information Release via Proxy allows students to grant access for others to see and/or discuss academic grades/records, billing records, financial aid records, and other student information such as academic advising, housing information/action, student advocacy and support, and student conduct. Students have the ability to grant or restrict access to any or all of this information at any time. If parents/guests are granted access via Proxy, they will be notified via email with instructions on how to access student information; they will also be notified if their access has been removed.
Students have a three-step process to give proxy access to parents/guests: add their email address, set up their relationship status, and select the record/information the student wishes to authorize access. Until the student completes these steps for each individual, the proxy parent/guest will not be able to access the student's information. Students should visit the Penguin Service Center's online instruction page to learn how to set up the education information release via proxy.
Parents/guests will receive two email communications once granted access. The first will be an email with basic information about setting up their account, and the second will provide the proxy user with a link to the education information log in page and relationship authorization. Parents/guests should ensure they have received both emails before proceeding to the log in page found above.
Third-Party Bulk Student Record Requests
FERPA generally precludes an institution from disclosing or sharing personally identifiable information from a student record. Exceptions apply, including, for example:
- If the institution has obtained the prior consent of the student, or
- In response to requests for directory information provided the student has not withheld release of his/her directory information.
What data may be requested?
- Student Personal Information
- Name, address, telephone listing, and email address
- Student Academic Records
- Major and college
- Enrollment status and attendance dates
- Expected graduation date and degrees
- Honors and awards received
- Most recent institution attended
- Student Athlete Information
- Participation in activities and sports
- Weight and height, hometown, and high school attended
How a request for information should be made?
- Student record requests must be in writing and emailed directly to the University Registrar at tmegleton@ysu.edu.
- Please include the following in your written request:
- A statement of your affiliation (such as, news media, government agency, educational or noncommercial scientific institution, or private business).
- A description of the specific directory information you want and the format/layout you wish to receive it.
- A date by which you would like to receive the data. Please note, due to resource availability, a request may take from two to three weeks to fulfill from date of receipt.
- The requestor’s contact information, name, postal mailing address, telephone number, fax number, and email address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my parent, spouse, or family member contacts YSU?
Youngstown State University has a long history and tradition of protecting student privacy and complying with federal law. The University cannot disclose any educational records without specific, written consent from the student. If someone contacts YSU, the school official will first verify if you have completed an Education Information Release via Proxy granting permission to release specific information to the parent, spouse, or family member. If there is not a release on file, the school official will only discuss directory information. Also, under FERPA, a school official may reserve the right to not release this type of information if they believe it will not be in the best interest of the student.
What if my parent, spouse, or family member pays my YSU bill?
As noted above, YSU cannot release information without written consent from the student, even if that individual is paying the tuition. However, the University may disclose tax information only to the parents/guardian of a dependent student (under 24 years old), without the student’s consent for tax purposes.
Can I request educational records over the phone or email?
The public posting of certain educational records, such as grades, GPA, class schedule, and student ID number are strictly prohibited to any party, including the student, even at the student’s request. This includes email and phone conversation. This information can only be given in person with a photo ID and proper consent or the student may obtain this information from the portal.
What happens to my records when I graduate or stop attending?
Your educational records are under the same protection as when you were a current student. As long as the educational institution maintains your education records, you may retain the right to review or amend their education records, or consent to the disclosure of information.
For questions about FERPA, please contact the Penguin Service Center at (330) 941-6000.