Penn State takes the privacy of your educational records seriously. Federal law protects the confidentiality of student information and outlines how universities manage and share student records.

Because of these protections, University staff may need to verify your identity before discussing information related to your academic record.

What Is FERPA?

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

FERPA applies to all colleges and universities that receive federal funding, including Penn State.

Your Rights as a Student

Under FERPA, you have the right to:

Review your educational records
Request corrections to inaccurate records
Control who can access certain information about you

What Counts as an Educational Record?

Educational records include information maintained by the University about you as a student, such as:

Grades
Course enrollment and schedules
Academic standing
Financial account information related to your education

Why Identity Verification Matters

Because your records are protected by law, Penn State staff may ask you to verify your identity before discussing information about your account.

Using your Penn State email address and Access ID when communicating with University offices helps ensure your records remain secure.

💡 Tip: If you would like a parent, employer, or another individual to access certain information about your academic record, you may need to provide authorization through Penn State systems.

Learn More

For detailed information about FERPA policies at Penn State, visit the University’s FERPA resource page.

👉 FERPA Information at Penn State

👉 Information for parents and guardians