Transitioning from high school to college and perhaps living away from home for the first time is a big step for most students. NYIT has many resources and caring staff to assist students as they embark on their college career.

As a parent or guardian, you are understandably concerned about your college student’s success and may have questions about obtaining access to information pertaining to his or her records. Students who attend college are considered to be adults and are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This legislation, enacted in 1974, is similar to HIPAA laws in medicine. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. With limited exceptions, college staff may not talk to parents about confidential information, including academic and financial records. Maintaining the confidentiality of specific records is not only important from an ethical standpoint, as it relates to our students, but it is absolutely essential from a legal standpoint. NYIT complies with all FERPA regulations.

Since parents or guardians do not automatically have rights under FERPA to access their student’s educational records, you may gain access by one of the following procedures:

• Speak directly with your student and ask him/her to share information with you about academic and financial records. This open line of communication is a good way to track your student’s academic progress and development. Please note that students have 24/7 online access to their academic and financial accounts.
• Speak with your student about accessing the E-Bill portal so you can view his/her tuition bill.
• Have your child complete a FERPA waiver form. Once completed, this form authorizes NYIT to discuss and/or disclose financial and academic records to a specific person. Download the FERPA form (PDF).
  
  This form must be notarized. For the student’s convenience, we have registered notaries in the Student Solution Center on both the Manhattan and Old Westbury campuses.

As parents of college-age young adults, it is essential to remember that students are striving toward increased independence and responsibility. Allowing them to determine who receives their academic information is part of that growing independence. As with many aspects of the college experience, increased communication between college parents and students will make the NYIT experience that much smoother.