What does FERPA allow students to do at the age of 18?

FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, grants students who are 18 years of age or older significant rights concerning their educational records. One of the primary rights it ensures is that students can access their own education records and have control over who else may gain access to them. This means they can review their records and also provide consent for others, such as parents or guardians, to view these records.

This empowerment is a key aspect of FERPA, recognizing that once students reach a certain age, they should have autonomy over their personal information and educational records. Understanding this provision is essential for students to know their rights and responsibilities regarding privacy and access to their educational information.

Other options, while related to student experience, do not align with the specific rights granted by FERPA upon reaching the age of 18. For instance, automatically enrolling in graduate programs, filing for federal student loans independently, and changing majors without parental consent do not directly relate to the rights and provisions established under FERPA.