For Students

Consent to Release Student Information

Students may grant access to their educational record to a third party, such as a parent or significant other by completing the FERPA Consent to Release Educational Records, accessible through the MyVPCC portal. Once access is granted, it will remain active until the student rescinds it.

Annual Notice To Students

Educational institutions are required to annually notify enrolled students of their rights under the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended.  This website serves as the annual FERPA notification to students at Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC).

FERPA is designed to protect the privacy of students by limiting third party access to student educational records.  FERPA affords students the following rights:

Student Rights Under FERPA

1. The right to inspect and review the educational records within 45 days after the day the College receives a request for access.

A student should submit a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect to the College Registrar. If the records are not maintained in Enrollment Management, the student will be advised of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. Appropriate arrangements will be made for students who are no longer in the area.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student's educational records the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights under FERPA.

A student requesting an amendment to their educational record should write to the College Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed and specify why it should be changed. Supporting documentation for the change should accompany the request.

If the College decides not to amend the record as requested, the College will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student's right to a hearing re­garding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to provide written consent before the College discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without ­consent.

The College discloses educational records without a student's prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law en­forcement unit personnel); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance com­mittee. A school official may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the College who performs an institutional service who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from educational records.

Directory information which may be released upon request without the student’s express written consent includes:

• Student’s Name
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Degrees, honors, and awards received
• Enrollment Status
• Major program of study
• Dates of attendance
• The most recent educational agency or institution attended

Students have the right to opt-out of the disclosure of directory information, the student should submit the request in writing to the College Registrar or manage their FERPA restrictions accessible in MyVPCC. The restriction of directory information may limit access to other services.  For example, if you are a loan recipient, your attendance at the College may not be reported to lenders.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.