We know that many parents and family members want to help their students through their academic journey. However, Cornell University, like all higher education institutions, is subject to a federal law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (also called FERPA or the Buckley Amendment [U.S. Public Law 93-579]) that sets privacy standards for student educational records. Once a student turns 18 or enters college at any age, all rights under FERPA transfer to the student and applies even when interacting with parents and family members.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when they reach the age of 18 or attend a school beyond the high school level. Students must give permission for anyone, including parents and family members, to review their education record.
In general, Cornell University may disclose directory information without consent from the student. Students do have the opportunity to request that Cornell not disclose directory information about them. For more information, contact the Registrar's office or visit the FERPA FAQ webpage.
Access to Records
Fee Access: Your student can grant you authorized user access to see their tuition, fees, housing and meal plan statements and to make payments. Regarding Financial Aid, students must complete and return this form to the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment in order to grant access to any financial aid records and award information.
Grades and other Academic Records: We recommend communicating with your student about your expectations to see their grades each semester and to show them to you in their Student Center portal. If this is not practical, students can sign a release with their College Registrar for specific information.
Other Offices: Cornell does not maintain a general FERPA release form. Instead, each office may require students to submit their own release form to discuss protected information. Even when a student signs a FERPA release form, information is not automatically shared with family members—they must specifically request the information they seek.
In an Emergency: If a student is transported to the hospital during an emergency, their designated emergency contact will be notified.
