How must colleges provide notice of FERPA rights?

Colleges are required to provide annual notice of FERPA rights to both parents and eligible students to ensure that they are aware of their rights regarding the privacy of education records. This requirement is aimed at ensuring transparency and keeping students and families informed about their rights to access and control their educational records under the law.

Annual notifications can be delivered through various means, such as email, publication in a student handbook, or traditional mail, as long as they reach the intended audience, thus fulfilling the obligation for communication. This approach emphasizes the ongoing nature of these rights and the institution's responsibility to remind students and their families periodically. By providing notice annually, schools can reinforce students' ability to understand their rights and advocate for their privacy as necessary.