FERPA & Study Abroad

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that helps protect the privacy of student education records. Rights afforded to students under FERPA include the right to inspect and review their educational records, the right to seek amendment of those records, and the right to prevent disclosure of information from the educational records without prior consent, subject to some specific exceptions.

Additional information about FERPA can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website.

What the Center for International Programs Can Disclose:

Certain information, known as directory information, may be disclosed by anyone without the prior written consent of the student. While FERPA defines a list of what can be considered directory information, it is at the discretion of the institution to define what is considered directory information. At SJU directory information is defined as:

Student Name
Major/Minor/Certificate field of study
Degree(s) sought or earned
Dates of attendance
Current Enrollment status (full/part-time)
Class Standing
Academic Awards received (Dean’s List, Latin Honors)
Photographs
Activities/Clubs
Height and weight of athletic team members
Most recent educational institution attended

What the Center for International Programs Cannot Disclose:

If a student would like to give the CIP permission to share additional information from their record with a third party (e.g., parent, grandparent, guardian, etc.) they can complete a CIP FERPA Release Form to request such communication. This includes, but may not be limited to:

Account and billing information
Grades and transcripts
Housing and contact information of student while abroad
Course or schedule information

Completed FERPA Release Forms can be dropped off or mailed to the CIP. Be sure to sign and date them appropriately. Our address is:

Saint Joseph’s University
Center for International Programs
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131