There’s a federal law called FERPA — the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act — and it’s probably the most important thing you’ll never get a lecture about before college.
Here’s the deal: once you turn 18, or the moment you enroll in any college or university at any age, all rights over your education records transfer from your parents to you. Not partially. Fully. You’re now what the law calls an “eligible student,” and you call the shots on who sees your information.
That means your school legally cannot share your grades, transcripts, academic standing, financial aid details, disciplinary records, or even your enrollment status with your parents — without your written permission.
There is one notable exception: if your parents claim you as a dependent on their federal taxes, the law does allow (but does not require) your school to share your records with them — even without your permission. Whether a school actually does this varies. There are also other narrow exceptions, like health or safety emergencies. But the default is privacy, and most schools won’t share anything without your explicit consent.
So if your parents call the registrar asking how you’re doing in your classes? In most cases the school will say no. Your records are yours.
Now, here’s where it gets real: many schools offer something called a FERPA waiver — a form you sign that gives your parents access to your records. Some families expect you to sign it automatically. That’s completely your call — you’re not required to, and signing it is voluntary. But if you’re financially dependent on your parents and they’re asking for transparency in exchange for support, that’s a conversation worth having honestly rather than letting it blow up later.
The bottom line is that FERPA gives you real control over your education records. Knowing it exists means you actually understand what’s yours — and you can make informed choices about what you share and with whom.