Student Guide to FERPA - Brochure

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Confidentiality of USA Student Education Records

Atlantic Cape Community College is required to give annual notice to students of the rights granted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.

FERPA makes four guarantees to postsecondary students. They are:

  • The right to inspect and review the educational records.
  • The right to request the amendment of the educational record.
  • The right to consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the educational record.
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Submit a Complaint

Family Policy Compliance Office

US Department of Education

600 I Independence Avenue S.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20202-4605

Directory Information

FERPA permits Atlantic Cape to release directory information about students. Directory information, as defined by Atlantic Cape Community College, includes:

  • Name
  • Hometown
  • Classification
  • Degrees Awarded
  • Honors
  • Awards
  • Weight/Height of Athlete
  • Sports Participation

Information can be blocked from being released by completing the "Restrict Directory Information Form" available online and at the Enrollment Services Office on the Mays Landing campus, Building J.

Students who elect to withhold disclosure of this category of information must conduct all college business in person with a photo ID card. Such students' names will be published in the Commencement program unless the student requests exclusion in writing. Students in this category are eligible to use the web for students for transactions including registration, which is protected by a personal identification number (PIN). Former students may not place a new request for nondisclosure of directory information on their educational records; however, they may request its removal.

Non-directory information is NEVER released without a student's WRITTEN PERMISSION.

A student may request that their non-directory information be released by filling out the Enrollment Verification Release Form available in the Enrollment Services Office. 

Requests for the release of Directory Information must be submitted in writing to:

The Registrar

Atlantic Cape Community College

5100 Black Horse Pike

Mays Landing, NJ 08330-2699

FERPA Facts

Did you know that...

  • Many website deposit data on your computer about your visit called "cookies?"
  • When the URL begins with http:// you are on a secure web page? Before you give personal information to a website, verify that the page is secure.
  • You should check your email messages carefully prior to sending in an order to avoid an embarrassing or unwanted situation?
  • You should never reply to a spam email for any reason? Replying to spam will guarantee that you will get even more spam.

Helpful Website for Privacy Information

FERPA FAQs

Students, regardless of age or status relative to parental dependency, who currently are or formerly have been enrolled in an institution of higher education. Students who have applied but have not attended an institution are not protected by FERPA.

FERPA requires that students 18 years of age or older, or those enrolling in a higher education institution, provide a signed release for the institution to provide information about them beyond Directory Information. Parents of a dependent child may request information by providing documentation that the student is dependent on them.

  • The student
  • Any party who has obtained the student's consent
  • School officials who have "legitimate educational interests" as defined by the institution
  • Anyone presenting a lawfully issued judicial order or subpoena

With certain defined exceptions, an educational record is any record maintained by an institution, or agent of the institution, where a student can be personally identified. FERPA contains no requirement that certain records be kept at all. This is a matter of institutional policy and/or state regulation. Records may be handwritten, in the form of print, magnetic tape or disk, or any other medium. Records include transcripts or other records obtained from a school in which a student previously enrolled.