The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Western Iowa Tech Community College complies with the provisions of the Federal Family educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended ("FERPA"). Under the Act, each student has the right to inspect and review their student records and request the amendment of inaccurate or misleading student records or request the amendment of student records to ensure they are not otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights.

Student rights concerning access to education records are spelled out in Federal Public Law 98-380 as amended by Public Law 93-568 and in regulations published by the Department of Education. The law and regulations require educational institutions to:

  • Provide students the opportunity to inspect their education records. Contact the Student Records Office.
  • Provide students the opportunity to challenge through a hearing the content of their education records if it is believed that they contain information that is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the right of privacy. Grades are not subject to challenge.
  • Limit disclosure of information from the student’s record to those who have the student’s written consent or to officials specifically permitted within the law, such as college officials and - under certain conditions - local, state and federal officials.

Directory Information

The Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) prohibits Western Iowa Tech Community College from releasing protected information on current or former students to external third parties for purposes of solicitation without students’ express written permission. No exceptions to these prohibitions are permissible pursuant to this policy statement. Western Iowa Tech is permitted to disclose, without consent, information considered to be dire. Western Iowa Tech typically does not honor third-party requests for Directory Information, even though the college is permitted to do so, unless the release of information is required by law, court order, or through data-sharing agreements.  The following information is considered Directory Information:

  • Student’s Name
  • Address (including email)
  • Telephone Number
  • Program of Study
  • Enrollment Status (full-time, part-time, or not enrolled)
  • Participation in Officially Recognized Activities
  • Athletic Team Member’s Weight and Height
  • Dates of Attendance (start and end of the semester)
  • Degrees
  • Awards Received
  • Most Recent Previous Educational Institution Attended

Students who object to the disclosure of any of the above information may notify Records and Registration by completing the Directory Information Withholding form.

FERPA Directory Form here

The Solomon Amendment is a federal law that requires institutions receiving certain federal agency funding to fulfill military recruitment requests for access to campus and for lists containing student recruiting information. It provides branches of the military access to certain student information which would have been denied them under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Student Rights Under FERPA

FERPA rights apply to eligible students who have reached the age of 18 OR who attend postsecondary institutions.

Students who wish to manage their FERPA permission to restrict access to their records may visit Student Records in Admissions. This same office can provide Western Iowa Tech policy statements and guidelines for access or restricting of access to student records.

  • Browse to my.witcc.edu
  • Financial Aid Forms card > XX-XX (current academic year) Financial Aid Forms > FERPA Release

FERPA Complaints Process

If a student has notified the College Registrar of a FERPA compliance concern and efforts to resolve the situation through Western Iowa Tech channels have proven unsatisfactory, students may file a complaint with the Department of Education if they believe that their rights under the law have been violated. 

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20202

File a complaint with the US Department of Education at
https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/file-a-complaint

    Annual Notice To Students

    Annually, Western Iowa Tech Community College informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended. This Act, with which the institution intends to comply fully, was designed to protect the privacy of education records to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office (FERPA) concerning alleged failures by the institution for compliance with the provision of the Act. Questions concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act may be referred to the Registrar located in Admissions.

    For more information about Western Iowa Tech policies contact Student Records.