FERPA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, to amend the records, and to limit disclosure of the information from the records.

This means Grand Valley offices will only release information about your records to you. However, if you want to, you may authorize the release of your student records or your financial account to anyone such as your spouse, parent, child, relative, employer, etc.

How does this affect you? 

If someone in your life calls a University office on your behalf, the information they will only be able to receive general university information. The university is unable to release student information without written consent.

Students who are currently (or formerly) enrolled, regardless of age or status, are the ones protected by FERPA. Students are given full access to their records either in person or by use of the University's Web site. A student who wishes to grant access to his/her information either to a spouse, parent(s), child, or other designated individuals may do one of the following:

• Provide them with your student number and PIN associated with your account
• Complete a "Release of Information" form that gives the University permission to release specific pieces of information to a specified person, company, or organization. The student must submit a new request each time she/he wishes the University to release information.
• To authorize someone to access your financial account, complete the Student Accounts online form.

For more information, call the Student Assistance Center at (616) 331-3327 or email regdept@gvsu.edu

The FERPA requirements are detailed in the Student Code and the official government Web site.