FERPA

All students have the right to protect their information. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, or FERPA, is the United States federal law that protects the privacy of student records. University Policy 402 provides detailed information on how UNC Charlotte protects student records and how students can review their education records. Under FERPA, privacy rights transfer from the parent(s) and/or legal guardian to the student once they turn 18 years old or enter a post-secondary institution at any age. Both current and former UNC Charlotte students are covered by these rights.

Students may be familiar with, or have provided certain access levels to parents and/or family members, via the Guest Access Portal. Guest Access Portal grants view-only access to some student records. Students may designate individuals of their choice to have such access and can also specify the exact types of records to which they are granting access. We recommend that students review more detailed information on Guest Access Portal, including how to set up access through the portal. The Office of Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) does not maintain this portal.

Access to student records through Guest Access Portal does not ensure access to records maintained in SASS. This is due to the sensitive nature of information we hold, including medical documentation provided by a student or referrals made to various support resources, for example. In order to grant an individual access to part or all of a student’s records maintained by our office, Student Assistance and Support Services requires a signed FERPA Consent Form. This form will be kept on file and must be resubmitted if a student wishes to add individuals or amend the length of time the release form is valid. A student may withdraw consent previously afforded to a designated individual at any time by contacting our office directly.

Student may request a copy of our FERPA Consent Form when meeting with a staff member or may access a digital version of the FERPA Consent Form at their convenience.

Please note the following when submitting a FERPA Consent Form to Student Assistance and Support Services:

• The form must be signed, dated, and completed in its entirety by the student
• The form will be reviewed by a staff member and any questions will be directed to the student
• The form must be submitted directly via the student and may be:
  • Hand delivered to the office (349 Cone University Center)
  • Faxed to 704-687-1969
  • Scanned and emailed to studentsupport@charlotte.edu directly from the student’s UNC Charlotte email account

Staff members will gladly speak to parents and/or family members regarding general office information, including services or process information, but will not speak directly to an individual student’s records without our FERPA Consent Form on file. If you have any questions, please contact us at 704-687-0289.