The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) enacted in 1974 provides three categories of information that fall within its statutory boundaries.  

Directory Information

FERPA defines Directory Information as information contained in the educational record that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of student privacy if disclosed.  A college is able to release Directory Information regarding a student without prior student consent.  Students may request that Directory Information not be disclosed by contacting the Registrar's Office in the Emerson Administration Building or at registrar@nnu.edu.

The following is considered Directory Information:

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Personally Identifiable Information is protected under FERPA and may be disclosed only with written consent of the student. FERPA permits school officials to disclose, without consent, personally identifiable information from education records to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency, if knowledge of that information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

The following is considered Personally Identifiable Information:

*Northwest Nazarene University requests the voluntary submission of student Social Security Numbers to assist in validating students, administering student financial aid programs, collecting student debts, and reporting under the Tax Relief Act of 1997.

Educational Information or Record

FERPA defines educational information as records, files, documents, and other materials that are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a person acting for such agency or instition. This information must never be disclosed without the written consent of the student. 

The following is considered part of the student's Educational Record