Student Data Privacy
According to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment), college students are considered responsible adults and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them.
Please be aware that if you contact the university on behalf of your student and that student has not provided written authorization for the university to release his/her private information to you, information provided will be limited to general policy and/or procedure information only.
Student data privacy laws apply to all Minnesota State University, Mankato students, regardless of age.
Students who wish to have others involved and able to access their university academic and/or financial records can designate these individuals through the Authorization for Release of Information form.
Important notes about the authorization form:
- It must be filled out by the student.
- It is voluntary, not required.
- You may select any or all of the categories of information you wish to share with the authorized person(s).
- Your authorization may be started or stopped at any time by submitting an updated form.
Parents, Guardians, Friends, etc.
The Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and University policies require that specific information related to a student’s educational records, including financial information, may not be shared with anyone (including parents and spouses) other than the student unless otherwise authorized by law. The laws do not consider age, so even if the student is under the age of 18, the privacy restrictions still apply.
Therefore, if you contact us on behalf of a student and that student has not provided written authorization for us to release his/her private information to you, we will be limited to providing general policy and/or procedure information only.
Related Links
- Student Request for Private Educational Records-Student Financial Services
- Office of Registration and Academic Records Information: Student Data Privacy
- University Policy: Student Education Records
- Requests for Information: Access to Public Data and Private Data
