FERPA for Students

Important Forms

Request to Inspect and Review Educational Records (PDF)
Student Record Release Authorization (PDF)
Request to Restrict Directory Information (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does FERPA affect me as a student?

APU’s FERPA policy is in place to protect your records and to prevent inappropriate disclosure.

For your protection, services over the telephone and email may be limited if the university representative you are calling or emailing does not know you or is not confident of your identity.

Your directory information may be released per university policy and FERPA regulations, unless you take specific steps to prevent the release of your information. Also, you can grant permission for APU to share information from your educational records with specific people you identify. For more information, see the Privacy of Education Records Policy (PDF).

How do I prevent my directory information from being released?

Refer to how APU defines directory information. To restrict release of directory information, fill out the Request to Restrict Directory Information (PDF) form.

Note: It is important to remember that your decision remains in effect until you request in writing to change it.

How can my parents (or spouse, financial sponsor, or third party) get a copy of my grades or tuition billing statement?

Important note to discuss with your parents/family: Once you have moved into postsecondary education, regardless of your age, all rights belong to you. To avoid any misunderstandings, you are strongly encouraged to discuss this with your family before beginning classes.

To release information protected by FERPA, you may go into your Student Center at home.apu.edu and click on Privacy Settings, where you may notify APU of whom we can speak with and about what topics.

Are there any negative consequences to restricting the release of my directory information?

If you restrict the release of directory information, after you graduate, APU could not confirm for a potential employer that you have completed your degree, without your advance written consent. Following your wish for full nondisclosure, APU could not even confirm that you had ever been a student.

I have decided that I want to limit release of my directory information, but what if there is an emergency?

It is important that we use the same definition of “emergency.” If your brother forgot to make a deposit into your checking account and needs to find you right away, that is not an emergency. However, if there is a fire or other safety situation, appropriate officials may be given your contact information.

Do I have any choices about which pieces of directory information I authorize to be released and which ones may not be released?

Yes, you have choices, and it is important that you carefully consider your decision:

  • By taking no action, you are choosing to authorize release of all your directory information from APU.
  • By filling out the appropriate form, you can determine which aspects of directory information you would like to release.

Does all of this apply only to my academic records?

No, FERPA applies to education records. Categories of education records areas include academic, financial, residential life, activities, disciplinary, etc.

What should I do if I think FERPA is being violated?

You are encouraged to discuss the matter with the individual or office responsible for the alleged violation. If that is not possible or is not comfortable for you, please contact your registrar’s office and ask for assistance.

Whom may I contact if my questions are not answered here?

Contact your registrar’s office. Questions related to undergraduate and graduate students may be directed to the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020 or ssc@apu.edu. You may also visit ed.gov/ferpa/.

Note: This information is current for the 2023-24 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.

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