THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

This page serves as Morehouse College’s centralized FERPA notice and provides a single location for your rights, the College’s disclosure practices, and all required forms.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and provides eligible students with certain rights regarding those records. Eligible students are defined as students who are 18 years of age or attend an institution of post-secondary education at any age and all rights under FERPA transfer from the parent to the student.

Student Rights Under FERPA

As an eligible student, you have the right to:

1. Inspect and Review Your Education Records

You have the right to inspect and review your education records maintained by the College.

To request access:

• Submit a written request to the Office of Records and Registration or the appropriate College official
• Identify the records you wish to inspect

The College will arrange access within 45 days of receiving your request and will notify you of the time and location for review.

2. Request Amendment to Your Records

If you believe that information in your education records is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise violates your privacy rights, you may request that the College amend the record.

To request an amendment:

• Submit a written request identifying the portion of the record you want changed
• Clearly explain why the record should be amended

If the College denies your request, you will be notified of your right to request a formal hearing.

3. Consent to Disclosure of Your Information

In most cases, the College will not disclose personally identifiable information from your education records without your written consent.

To authorize disclosure of your education records to a specific third-party individual or entity, complete the form below:

4. File a Complaint

You have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if you believe the College has failed to comply with FERPA. To file a complaint, go to Protecting Student Privacy at https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/ to begin the process.

Disclosure of Education Records Without Consent

FERPA permits the College to disclose education records without your consent in certain circumstances, including:

• to accrediting organizations
• in connection with financial aid
• to comply with a judicial order or subpoena
• to school officials with legitimate educational interests
• to another institution where you seek or intend to enroll
• to parents of dependent students, as permitted by law
• to authorized government officials as permitted by law

Directory Information

Morehouse College may designate certain information as “directory information,” which may be released without your prior consent unless you opt out.

Directory Information Includes:

• Name
• Enrollment status
• Dates of attendance
• Classification (e.g., freshman, sophomore)
• Degree earned (if any) and date awarded
• Program of study (majors, minors and concentration)
• Latin honors received
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height of athletes
• Photographs of student athletes

Opting Out of Directory Information

You have the right to request that the College not release your directory information.

To opt out, complete and submit the form below:

Important Considerations

If you opt out of directory information:

• The College may not be able to confirm your enrollment or degree status to third parties
• The College will not be able to communicate with you via mail, email or phone. In-person assistance is your only option to conduct business with the college.
• Your name may be excluded from honor rolls, graduation programs, or public recognitions
• Your participation in activities or achievements may not be publicly acknowledged

Forms and Resources

All FERPA-related forms are provided here for ease of access:

• Student Information Release Authorization Form 
• Directory Information Non-Disclosure Form
  
• U.S. Department of Education FERPA Resources
  

How to Contact Us

For questions about FERPA, your education records, or any of the processes described above, please contact:

Office of Records and Registration
Morehouse College
830 Westview Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
(470) 639-0959

Annual Notice

This page constitutes Morehouse College’s annual notice of student rights under FERPA. The College maintains this page to ensure that students have clear, consistent, and accessible information regarding their rights and the College’s obligations under federal law.