In what situation must access be provided to parents of a college student?

Providing access to parents of a college student is mandated under FERPA when the parents have claimed the student as a dependent for tax purposes. This situation allows parents to receive information about the student's education records, as they are considered a legitimate authority on the student's behalf. The tax status as a dependent establishes a legal basis for parents to have access to certain information, as their financial support is recognized under federal tax regulations, which can extend to educational decisions and needs.

In contrast, while a student under 21 may evoke assumptions about parental involvement, this alone does not provide an automatic right for parents to access records. A student's written consent can indeed lead to parental access, but it requires the student to take that specific action. Lastly, the statement that parents are not provided access under any circumstances is inaccurate since FERPA does allow for specific exceptions where parental access is permissible.