FERPA | Students Right to Know

Annual Notice to Students

In compliance with Public Law 93-380, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, Peru State College has established a comprehensive written policy regarding the maintenance and safeguarding of student educational records. A copy of this policy is on file in each school and administrative unit of the college for reference and review by students who have questions about the records policy.

All students enrolled in institutions of higher education, regardless of age, own their FERPA rights.

At Peru State College, it is our practice NOT to release any information (whether it be via phone, email or in-person) to someone other than the student, without a signed FERPA release form from the student. Students who wish to grant FERPA release to another person (parent, guardian, significant other, etc.) can do so by requesting a Release of Information Form from the Student Records Office or by granting access to parents and/or guests to see information displayed within their own myPSC account.  To setup Parent/Guest Access, follow this tutorial.

Educational records will not be released without permission of the student or parent of the student who is a dependent as defined by Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. The college will presume that permission must be granted by the student unless proof has been provided to the college showing that the student is a dependent in which case permission for the release of the educational records must be granted by the parents.

Essentially, this policy protects the confidentiality of records, and describes rights of access to those records. The following information summarizes the rights and protection under this policy:

  • A student has the right to inspect, review, and challenge information contained in his/her educational records. "Educational Records" include transcripts, credentials, files, documents and other information directly related to academic or professional performance that are maintained by various officials of Peru State. A student does NOT have access to records maintained by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or professional counselor in connection with treatment. These records may, however, be reviewed by a physician or other appropriate professional of the student’s choosing. A student may not have access to financial declarations or records that parents file in connection with financial aid applications, confidential letters and statements of recommendation placed in the educational records before January 1, 1975, counseling or psychiatric referral information, or to any record which the student has waived the right to access (for example, a "closed" placement file). Staff within the Peru State College community, only those members acting in the student's educational interest are allowed access to student educational records. These members include personnel in Student Services and faculty members within the limitations of their need to know.
  • Release of Information. No one outside the institution shall have access to nor will the institution disclose any information from a student’s educational records without consent of the student, except to authorized personnel within the institution in which students seek to enroll, to persons or organizations providing student financial aid, to accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function, to law enforcement agencies of Nebraska where such student is under investigation by such agencies and the agency shows that such data is necessary for the investigation, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, and to persons in an emergency order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons.

Directory Information

Colleges may disclose directory information relating to a student without violating FERPA, unless a student has restricted the disclosure of his/her directory information in the Student Information System. At Peru State College, directory information consists of:

  • Student’s legal name and chosen name
  • Address (local, permanent, and electronic mail)
  • Telephone numbers
  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Weight, height and photographs of athletic team members
  • Degrees, honors, and awards received
  • Major field of study
  • Dates of attendance (only beginning and end dates of semesters)
  • Year in school
  • Enrollment status (full/part-time)
  • Date of graduation
  • The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended

Any Peru State College student who wishes to have directory information protected can do so through their myPSC student center or by submitting written notification to the Records & Registration Office.

Filing Complaints

Persons wishing to file complaints regarding this policy or its implementation may do so with the U.S. Department of Education. See the Vice President for Student Affairs for further information regarding such matters.

Parent/Guest Access

A student can grant access to information within myPSC to parents/guests through the “Parent/Guest Access” link within their myPSC account.