Students have the right to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of their records

FERPA prevents the unauthorized disclosure of student education records without a student’s prior consent. However, FERPA allows certain exceptions regarding the release of education records without a student’s prior consent.

The most common exceptions include disclosure without prior consent to:

• University officials with legitimate educational interest
• Officials of other schools or school systems in which the student seeks to enroll
• Officials requesting information via judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, providing that NAU makes a reasonable effort to notify the student of the order or subpoena in advance of compliance therewith (unless the order or subpoena is in a criminal case, and expressly prohibits such notification)
• Parent of a student who is dependent on the parent(s) for income tax purposes, provided that the parents affirm dependent status in a manner satisfactory to NAU prior to release of a copy of the student’s records