Office of the Registrar

FERPA for Students

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Need to know who has access to your records and who doesn't as a student at UMKC? How do you protect your directory information? Get those answers and more here!

What records are covered by FERPA?

All personally identifiable records except those that remain in the sole possession of the maker of the record, such as an instructor's grade book, are covered by FERPA, with the following exceptions:

  • UMKC will release directory information to third parties without the permission of the student.
  • Parents of dependent students as defined in the IRS Code of 1974 Section 152 are given the same rights to access as those given the student. UMKC requires a copy of the most recent federal income tax return to prove dependent status.
  • Employees of the UM System who have an education need to know student information in order to perform their duties as an employee may have access to student records.

Directory Information Restriction Form (PDF)

Updating your Privacy Settings via Pathway (PDF)

Additional FERPA Information

UMKC defines a student as someone who has been admitted and who has registered in one or more classes at UMKC.

At the secondary school level, parents have a right to review the student's records but that right is transferred to the student at the post-secondary school level. The parent does not have a right to inspect the records of the student.

Parents of dependent students as defined in the IRS Code of 1974 Section 152 are given the same rights to access as those given the student. UMKC requires a copy of the most recent federal income tax return to prove dependent status.

Review parent FERPA information

Parent/Spouse FERPA Consent Form (PDF)

Directory information includes:

  • name
  • local and permanent address
  • local and permanent telephone numbers
  • email address
  • major field of study
  • the full-time or part-time enrollment status of students
  • level
  • dates of attendance
  • degrees and awards received
  • the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student
  • participation in officially recognized activities and sports

FERPA gives students the right to restrict directory information. Students who want to restrict directory information should complete the form and submit it to the Registration and Records Office.

If a student has restricted directory information, UMKC will not disclose any information regarding that student to third parties without a signed, written release from the student (unless the release is authorized by one of the exceptions as outlined in FERPA ).

FERPA gives students the right to review their record for errors and to seek resolution if they find what they consider to be an error in their records.

Students should contact the Registrar or Associate Registrar to arrange a time to review their academic record if they believe an error is on their record.

UMKC has up to 45 days to respond to a student request for a review of their records, but in most cases the review takes place within two working days of the request.

Students do not have the ability to view some information in their records:

  • Students cannot gain access to documents which contain information on other students (such as a grade roll for a class).
  • Documents which contain financial information about the student's parent(s) are excluded from review by the student.
  • If letters of recommendation are in the student's record, and if the student has waived his or her right to review those letters of recommendation, they are excluded from review.

FERPA requires that students be given the right to review but it does not guarantee students the right to make copies of documents in their record. Students may review but may not make copies of transcripts from other institutions that might be on file in their UMKC record.

The Family Policy Compliance Office located in Washington, D.C., answers questions on FERPA for institutions and students and their families.