According to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment), college students are considered responsible adults and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them. Under this law, parents who want to receive a copy of their student’s academic or financial records can do so if their student signs a release form. Click here to obtain an Authorization for a Release of Information form.How can I get a copy of my student’s grades?
The easiest way for parents to receive information about their student’s grades is to ask their student to provide it. Student’s can look up information on-line from their e-services account and give or e-mail copies to their parents.
If I’m paying for my child’s education, why can’t I get a copy of their records?
FERPA requires that access to a college student’s records must be granted by approval of the student. Parents can, however, receive some information about their student’s records if the student agrees to provide access. Students can allow access by filling out and returning the Authorization for the Release of Information form. Students should take the form to the Campus Hub at 117 Centennial Student Union or the Registrar’s Office at 132 Wigley Administration. Please note that this form only specifies certain areas of a student's records, and does not cover medical or counseling records.
My student provided me with access to their records. Can I get a copy of their unofficial transcript?
As a matter of policy, the University does not release private information over the phone or by e-mail. Copies of the student's unofficial transcript can be requested and mailed to you through the Registrar's Office.
Students themselves can print a listing of all their Minnesota State Mankato courses and their credit totals via the web. To accomplish this log into the web system (www.mnsu.edu/msureg) and take the Grades and Transcripts option on the left side of the screen. Next choose Academic Record and click the Get Academic Record button. The document appears on the screen and can be printed using the button at the end of the listing.
Isn’t there a FERPA provision that colleges and universities can contact parents if a student violates alcohol or drug policies?
FERPA regulations allow, but do not require, higher education institutions to provide notice to parents when a student violates federal, state or local laws related to alcohol or drugs. The Minnesota Data Practices Act does not permit the release of this information.
Where can I find out more about FERPA?
The U.S. Department of Education is responsible for overseeing FERPA. See the Department’s Web site for additional information: www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/
