What condition must parents meet to gain access to their child's college academic records?

Parents can gain access to their child's college academic records if they have claimed the student as a dependent on their tax return. This provision is rooted in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which allows access to educational records to parents if the student is considered a dependent under the Internal Revenue Code.

When a student is financially dependent on their parents, this relationship often entitles the parents to access certain information about the student’s academic performance. This underscores the concept that parental rights regarding educational records can extend to those who are financially responsible for the student.

The other options reflect circumstances that do not meet the requirements set forth by FERPA for parental access to educational records. Employment at the college, providing financial support without claiming the student as a dependent, or merely obtaining permission from the student without any established dependency does not grant the same rights under the law as having the student listed as a dependent on a tax return.