Yes, they can. While you generally have the right to access your educational records, it doesn’t stop a school from withholding transcripts or other official recognition of completed work until all tuition, fees and other charges are paid.
Generally, no. However, a school can disclose information from your records to your parents if
- you’re a dependent for tax purposes
- there is a health or safety emergency that involves you
- you’re under 21 and you’ve violated any law or policy regarding the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance
It depends on your state’s data breach notification law.
No, they don’t (unless you’ve provided written consent).
It depends. You’re allowed to request and get copies of your letters of recommendation unless you’ve signed a waiver giving away your right to access them (you can still ask for the names of the references).
If your letters are used for any reason other than as a recommendation, you can get copies of them regardless of whether you signed a waiver.
Your school can’t require that you sign a waiver in order to be accepted, receive financial aid or any other services.
No. While a school may ask for your/your child’s Social Security number during enrollment, it must let you know that it’s voluntary and you/your child will still be able to enroll and attend the school.
No, it’s against California law to publicly post or display someone’s Social Security number.
If you think that your/your child’s education privacy rights have been violated, there are steps you can take to make it right.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows public schools to release directory information to almost anyone. While there isn’t a standard definition of directory information that all schools follow, it can include your child's