How long to retain Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) records
Use this page to determine how long you need to hold on to FERPA records.
FERPA Records
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AAR | Pursuant to athletic association rules |
| AAT | After application term |
| AFT | After first term of enrollment |
| AG | After graduation term or last term of attendance |
| AY | From award year |
| CC | After course completion |
| ET | End of term |
| P | Permanent |
| RD | From date of required disclosure |
| UA | Until admitted |
| UANS | Until administrative need is satisfied |
| UT | Until terminated by the student |
| Record series title | Description | Retention period |
|---|---|---|
| Requests for formal hearings | Student-initiated request for formal hearing regarding amendment of education record | P |
| Requests for and disclosures of personally identifiable information | Necessary for compliance with recordkeeping requirements in FERPA | P |
| Requests for nondisclosure of directory information | Student request to opt out of directory information disclosures | P or UT |
| Statements on content of records regarding hearing panel decisions | If student request for amendment of record is not granted, then student statement must be maintained in the record, and disclosed whenever the record is disclosed | P |
| Written consent for records disclosure | Student-signed (electronic or paper) authorization for disclosure of education record | P |
| Waivers for rights of access | Covers confidential letters and statements of recommendations related to the student’s admission, application for employment, or receipt of an honor or honorary recognition (section 99.12(b)3) | P |
| Written decisions of hearing panels | Decisions resulting from formal hearings regarding amendment of education records | P |