Post-secondary students are treated as adults and make their own accommodation decisions independently. Disability services may keep student information confidential from parents. Parents and teachers can best prepare students by teaching self-advocacy and self-determination skills, providing information about their disability and needed supports, and helping them understand the greater responsibility they'll have in college. Facilitating an internal locus of control and career development skills will help students successfully transition into independent adulthood.

Unlike secondary education where IDEA guarantees a free and appropriate public education, post-secondary education is governed by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities have a right to equal access to educational programs and reasonable accommodations. Post-secondary institutions must provide accommodations that increase access to existing programs, but are not required to redesign programs or guarantee student success.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects student record privacy. FERPA identifies college students as adults responsible for determining who may receive information about them. Parents are not automatically granted access to student records without written consent. Students can provide view access to their online records using the Guardian/Family Access tab in myBanner, and parents are encouraged to consult with the student if academic information is needed.

The post-secondary years bring new freedoms and responsibilities, especially for students with disabilities. While many resources exist for general college parents or high school transition planning, few address the unique challenges of parenting college students with disabilities. Recent studies confirm that active parent involvement can foster, rather than hinder, self-determination when approached appropriately. Parents should balance support with encouraging independence as their student navigates this transition.

According to FERPA, faculty and staff cannot discuss your student's academic records unless your student grants written permission for disclosures by designated university employees. Steps for granting access can be found on the Registrar's web page in the Parents section.

Students who do not pay tuition on time will be dropped from all registered courses immediately following the payment deadline. Payment after the deadline does not guarantee enrollment in previously registered classes, and students will need to enroll in courses with available seats.

While attendance policies can be class and instructor specific, GVSU students are expected to attend class, submit work on scheduled due dates, and take exams at scheduled times. If a student misses class due to illness or family emergency, documentation may be required before discussing accommodations. Faculty are not expected to provide makeup opportunities for unexcused absences. Students must take final examinations on the scheduled date and time, so please consider exam schedules when planning family events. If a student retakes a course, they may repeat any course one time, with the second grade replacing the first in their GPA, though all attempts remain on the transcript. Additional repeats require approval from the academic advisor and department.