FERPA Consent to Release

What It Is

FERPA consent to release allows an authorized third party (e.g., a parent or guardian) to contact the university on your behalf and discuss your academic and/or financial records.

All Education Records: Includes any and all academic, financial and personal information
Academic Record Only: Includes, but is not limited to, GPA, grades, degree progress, academic standing, academic holds, class schedule, transcript requests, academic advising
Financial Record Only: Includes, but is not limited to, financial aid (limited per Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999), account (billing/payments), financial holds, COF, tuition classification

What It Isn't

FERPA consent to release does not include access to your medical, student conduct or housing records. To authorize access to those records, see:

Release of Medical Information
Student Conduct Confidentiality & Notification Policy
Housing and Dining Services

In addition, a FERPA release does not provide online access to your education records. That authorization requires CU guest access.

Learn about CU guest access

How to Set It Up

Authorize an Individual
Authorize an Organization

To authorize a parent, guardian or other third party:

Log in to Buff Portal.
Select your profile at the top right.
Select "Account Settings," then "Profile and Privacy."
In the pop-up menu, select "FERPA Release."
Select "Authorize/Edit FERPA Consent to Release."
In the form, enter the person's first and last names in the corresponding fields.
Enter a unique authorization phrase they'll use when contacting CU Boulder about your record.
If you want this authorization to expire, uncheck "Never Expires" and set an expiration date.
Identify which record(s) this individual may access and/or discuss.
Click "Save."

Remember to tell your authorized third party what their authorization phrase is.

To authorize a consulate, cultural mission or other organization:

Log in to Buff Portal.
Select your profile at the top right.
Select "Account Settings," then "Profile and Privacy."
In the pop-up menu, select "FERPA Release."
Click "Authorize/Edit FERPA Consent to Release."
In the form, click "Authorized Third Party - Organization."
Select the organization from the drop-down. If it's not listed, select "...Other..." and type the organization's name in the "if other" field.
Enter a unique authorization phrase they'll use when contacting CU Boulder about your record.
If you want this authorization to expire, uncheck "Never Expires" and set an expiration date.
Identify which record(s) this organization may access and/or discuss.
Click "Save."

Remember to tell your authorized organization what their authorization phrase is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students
Third Parties

Can I give multiple people access to my records?

Yes. You can authorize an unlimited number of third parties and organizations.

Do I need to provide the person's full name?

Yes, you need to provide a first and last name. "Mom" or "Dad" is not permissible.

Can I give someone access to my records for a specific period of time?

Yes, this functionality was released in Dec. 2019. Start by following the instructions above to access your "Authorize/Edit FERPA Consent to Release" page. If you've already authorized this individual or organization, simply edit their authorization to add an expiration date.

How does someone prove that I authorized them to discuss my records?

If they contact the university, they'll be asked to state their name and/or organization and provide their authorization phrase. CU staff will only discuss your record(s) if their name and authorization phrase both match what you entered for them.

If I select 'all education records,' does that include health, housing and student conduct records?

No. "All education records" is limited to items specifically related to your education, classes, schedules and financial aid information at CU Boulder. Health and Wellness Services, Housing and Dining, and Student Conduct all have separate consent processes.

What's the difference between this and CU Guest Access?

FERPA consent to release allows university representatives to answer questions about specific aspects of a student's record and discuss the record with individuals other than the student. CU guest access is an online, read-only way for guests to see certain components of a student's record. It doesn't allow guests to ask questions about or discuss a student's record with a university representative.

I want my student to set up FERPA consent to release for me. How do they do that?

Students authorize FERPA consent to release through Buff Portal. See our step-by-step instructions above.

How do I prove that I've been granted FERPA consent?

When the student granted you access to their records, they were required to establish a unique authorization phrase for you. Before CU staff can discuss the student’s record with you, you must provide the correct authorization phrase to confirm your identity.

I'd like to see my student's record online. How can I do that?

You may ask your student to set up CU guest access for you.

About

Announcements
Academic Calendar
Registration
Degree Planning
Graduation & Commencement
Privacy & Third-Party Access
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Third-Party Access
Tuition Classification
Transcripts
Withdraw from the Semester
Your Information & Records

Contact Us

registrar@colorado.edu
303-492-6970

Resources

Granting Third-Party Access (PDF)
Student Records Privacy & Access Guide (PDF)

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