FERPA for MSU Denver Students
As a MSU Denver student, FERPA grants you the following rights:
- You have the right to access your MSU Denver educational record.
- You have the right to tell us who can and cannot access specific parts of your educational record.
- You have the right to seek to amend your educational record if you believe it is incorrect.
FERPA also protects your student educational records. In compliance with FERPA, MSU Denver will not release your educational records to anyone but you, unless you specifically ask us to do so. We will release directory information to credible third parties, but you can ask us to keep this information confidential, as well.
The following links help to explain FERPA in greater detail. If your FERPA questions are not answered here, please feel free to call the Office of the Registrar at (303) 556-3991 for more information.
What are Student Educational Records?
All MSU Denver student records are considered educational records, with the following exceptions:
- Personal notes written by faculty and staff
- Employment records
- Financial records of a parent or spouse
- Medical and counseling records used solely for treatment
- AHEC Police Department records
- Confidential letters and statements of recommendation for admission, employment or honorary recognition for which you have waived the right to inspect and review
This means that your student number (900#), grades, GPA, class schedule, residency status, marital status and all other information on your file are considered educational records and, thus, protected by FERPA. MSU Denver school officials with a legitimate educational interest and you are the only individuals who can access this information.
For access to general information pertaining to your grades, GPA, classes, tuition bills, etc., log on to ConnectU.
How can I grant access to third parties, like my parents or a potential employer?
If your parents claim you as a dependent when filing taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), they can view certain parts of your educational record, like your grades and tuition bills, without your written consent. In order to gain access to this information, your parents must show a copy of their most recent tax return to prove that they do claim you as a dependent.
In all other cases, we must obtain your written consent before releasing your educational record to third parties. You can allow MSU Denver to release your information to specific parties (e.g., parents, potential employers, insurance companies) by signing a FERPA Release (
200 KB) . In order to process your request, you must bring the FERPA Release Form and a photo ID to the Office of the Registrar in the Central Classroom Building, Room 105. If you are unable to visit our office in person due to extenuating circumstances, please contact us at (303) 556-3991 to discuss your options.
What is considered Directory Information at MSU Denver?
FERPA allows each school to determine what it considers to be directory information. MSU Denver considers the following items to be directory information, and we will release this information to credible third parties unless you specifically request otherwise:
- Student name, address and telephone number
- Student classification
- Major and minor fields of study
- Telephone number
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- Dates of attendance at MSU Denver
- Degrees and awards received
- Last educational institution attended
All other personal information is considered private and will not be disclosed to third parties unless you specifically ask us to release it.
Can I restrict access to my entire record, including Directory Information?
If you wish to keep your entire record private—including directory information—you can submit a Request for Nondisclosure Request Form ( 191 KB) . 81 KB This form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar in the Student Success Building 160, along with a photo ID.
If you submit this form, we will not release any of your information unless we are faced with an extenuating circumstance (e.g., subpoena or health emergency). However, this means that we can’t even release information to you, unless you come to the Office of the Registrar in person and present a photo ID. Additionally, we will not be able to provide information for ANY future requests from third parties. For example:
- Your name will not appear in the commencement brochure.
- When a potential employer calls to confirm any degrees you received, we will not be able to give them any information.
- We will not be able to release your contact information to family or friends looking to notify you of a crisis or serious illness.
MSU Denver will honor your request to keep your records private, but we encourage you to consider all potential implications before submitting this form.
What is the process for inspecting my educational record?
Students may inspect and review their education records upon a written request submitted to the Registrar, Student Success Building Suite 160 (#3), or by mail to Campus Box 84, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, Colorado 80217-3362.
- The request shall identify as precisely as possible the record or records the student wishes to inspect.
- The record custodian or an appropriate staff person shall make the arrangements for access as promptly as possible and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
- When a record contains information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the records that relate to that student.
FERPA grants all educational institutions 45 days to gather all contents of your educational record. In most cases, we can honor your request in less than 45 days; however, we encourage you to plan ahead if you need the information within a specific timeframe.
What is the process to amend my educational record?
A student may make a written request to amend a record.
- In the request, the student should identify the part of the record to be changed and specify why the student believes it is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights.
- MSU Denver shall comply with the request or notify the student that the College will not comply with the request and advise the student of the student’s right to a hearing to challenge the information believed to be inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student’s rights.
- Upon written request, MSU Denver will arrange for a hearing, and notify the student, reasonably in advance, of the date, place, and time of the hearing.
- The hearing will be conducted by a hearing officer who is a disinterested party, but who may be an official of the institution. The student shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised in the original request to amend the student’s education records. The student may be assisted by one or more individuals, including an attorney.
- MSU Denver will prepare a written decision based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision will include a summary of the evidence presented and the reasons for the decision.
- If MSU Denver decides that the challenged information is not inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s right of privacy or other right, it will notify the student that the student has a right to place in the record a statement commenting on the challenged information and/or a statement setting forth reasons for disagreeing with the decision.
The statement will be maintained as part of the student’s education records as long as the contested portion is maintained. If MSU Denver decides that the information is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s rights, it will amend the record and notify the student, in writing, that the record has been amended.
Does FERPA change from year to year? If so, how do I know what my rights are?
FERPA is occasionally amended, which means your rights as a student may change over time. MSU Denver outlines your FERPA rights in an annual notification posted in the Student Handbook and College Catalog. Please take a minute to read each annual notification for any changes to FERPA regulations.
