Ace the FERPA Student Records Challenge 2025 – Unlock Your Success Today!

Disciplinary records maintained by the institution qualify as a student record under FERPA because they are directly related to a student’s educational experience and are maintained by the institution. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) defines student records as those that contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational institution. Disciplinary records fall within this definition as they document actions taken by the institution related to a student's behavior and performance.

The other options, while they may involve student information, do not fully meet the criteria of a student record as defined by FERPA. For example, financial aid applications can be sensitive but are typically not disclosed under FERPA unless related to the student's educational record. Handwritten notes by a teacher are often considered personal reflections and not part of the educational record maintained by the institution. Alumni contact information, though related to former students, is not covered under FERPA as it pertains to records of individuals no longer enrolled. Therefore, disciplinary records are clearly within the scope of what FERPA considers to be student records.