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Florida International University (FIU) maintains Student education records in a confidential and secure manner in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) codified in 20 U.S.C. section 1232g, and sections 1002.225 and 1006.52, Florida Statutes. The University will not release or permit access to education records or personally identifiable information maintained on a student except as otherwise permitted by law and FIU Regulation 108 – Access to Student Education Records.

What is FERPA?

FREPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s educational record. FERPA applies to all educational institutions receiving funds from the United States Department of Education, from kindergarten through university level.

What is Protected?

FERPA protects the privacy of a student’s educational record. Education Records are any records maintained by the University and its Agents that contain information directly related to a student or applicant. A record is any information or data recorded in any medium, including, but not limited to handwriting, print, or digital/electronic, USB drives, or cloud storage.

  • Examples of an education record include, but are not limited to
    • Biographical information including date and place of birth, gender, nationality, information about race and ethnicity, and identification photographs
    • Grades, test scores, evaluations, courses taken, academic specialization and activities, and official communications regarding your status
    • Coursework including papers and exams, class schedules, as well as written email or recorded communications that are part of the academic process
    • Disciplinary records
    • Financial aid and financial aid records, including employment records that are dependent on the status as a student (ex: Federal Work-Study, student interns, teaching assistants)
    • Internship program records
    • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) records and Student Health records are also governed by FERPA and state privacy laws
  • Education records do not include
    • Sole possession records that are used only as memory aids and not shared with others
    • Law enforcement unit records
    • Employment records, unless the employment is dependent on the employee’s status as a student (such as evaluations of graduate assistants)
    • Records that only contain information about an individual after he or she is no longer a student at that agency or institution

What Can Be Disclosed?

Directory information is the information available about a student that is not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. While FERPA and state law protect the privacy of educational records, directory information is not treated as confidential and may be disclosed by the university without student consent unless the student has placed a FERPA block via their MyFIU on their student account.

Additionally, certain records such as law enforcement records and alumni records that are not education records may be disclosed without the student's consent. Education records may be disclosed in compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.

At FIU, the following has been designated as directory information:

  • Student name
  • Student classification and major and minor fields of study
  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Weight and height of members of athletic teams
  • Dates of attendance, degrees and awards received
  • The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student
  • Photographic image

How to Place or Release a FERPA Block

  1. Log in to MyFIU.
  2. Select "Profile," then 'Privacy Restrictions'.
  3. Select a specific item from the list of information and then check the 'Restricted' box. Then click the 'Save' button.
  4. Click the 'Restrict All' button to restrict all of a certain category of information.
  5. Uncheck a specific item or click the 'Clear All' button to remove a privacy restriction.
  6. Make adjustments by checking off any preferred blocks.
  7. Click on 'Save' button at the top right when selections have been completed.
  8. Students may also authorize in writing the release or non-disclosure of their education records via the FERPA form.

Delegated Access

Delegated Access is a way you can share your protected student information. You can allow another person to access parts of your FERPA protected record to pay for your classes, set up a payment plan, view your financial aid information, your academic record and more. To release your student information to a third party to pay for your tuition, see Third-Party Billing.

  • How to Setup Delegated Access
    1. Log in to MyFIU and click on the Profile tile.
    2. Click on the Delegate Your Access link on the left menu pane.
    3. Click on the Delegate Access to a New Contact button.
    4. Click on the 'I accept' button to accept the terms and conditions.
    5. Enter the information for the individual that you are granting access to and select the type of access that you would like to delegate.
    6. Click Save.
    7. Click Ok to acknowledge that an email will be sent to this individual.
  • Accessing Delegated Information

    New Users:

    1. If you have been delegated access, check your email account for the confirmation email.
    2. Locate the security key provided. This key will be required to set up your new account.
    3. Click on the login link provided in the email.
    4. Create an account password.
    5. Enter your First Name, Last Name and click Create Account.
    6. Once the username is created, it will be sent via email. Click the Sign In button.
    7. Click on the Parents/Delegates Sign In tile.
    8. Enter your username and password.
    9. Click on the accept terms and conditions, enter the security key provided and enter the contact email.
    10. Click the Submit button.
    11. Click on the Delegated Access tile.
    12. Click on the tile(s) that you have been delegated.

    Returning Users:

    1. Go to MyFIU and scroll down towards the bottom of the page and locate the Parents tab section and click it.
    2. Click on the Delegated Access Login.
    3. Click on the Parents/Delegates Sign In tile.
    4. Enter your username, password and click the sign in button.
    5. Click on the Delegated Access tile.
    6. Click on the tile(s) that you have been delegated.

FERPA Notice for Graduating Students

Students who have a FERPA restriction on their records will be excluded from the Commencement Booklet and any Virtual Commencement Ceremonies.  Should you wish to be included, you must remove any restriction prior to the last day to apply for graduation for the term.  Your FERPA restriction may be removed on-line through your MyFIU account by the deadline to apply for graduation for the term.  Please check the Academic Calendar for specific deadline dates.

You may also visit the FIU FERPA website for more information.

How to release FERPA Restrictions for Commencement Booklet and Commencement Ceremony:

1. Login to MyFIU and click on the Profile tile.

2. Click on the Privacy Restrictions link on the left menu pane.

3. Click on the FIU Degree option.

4. Click on the Clear All button to clear all restrictions under FIU and Click on the Save button on the left upper corner.

5. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for FIU Degree, FIU Academic Program, Names and Photograph.

FERPA Authorization Form

This form allows the student to authorize their parent, legal guardian, or other third party, access to the student's financial or educational records

Download the FERPA Authorization Form