FERPA Waiver

What is a FERPA Waiver?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 is a federal law that establishes the rights of students with regard to education records and ensures students of the right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to those records. If a student gets accepted to a college and decides to attend that college, the high school letters of recommendations become part of a student’s record. A student who is accepted and is attending, under FERPA, has the right to view these letters if one chooses to do so.

PLEASE NOTE: If you DO NOT get accepted to a college, you will not have access to any letters whether you check YES or NO!


To Waive or Not to Waive?

It is the student’s choice; however, after receiving feedback from colleges we recommend that a student clicks YES and waives his/her right. Please consider:

  • Not waiving your right may raise some red flags to the colleges

  • Not waiving your right may appear as though you have something to hide

  • Colleges may feel your letter has more integrity if you waive your rights

  • Please trust that a teacher or counselor will not write a letter for you if they feel they cannot represent you in the best way possible


How do I sign the FERPA Waiver?

If the student is applying via Common App, the FERPA will be waived through that site.

  • "My Colleges" tab > select ANY school you have added to your account > Recommenders and FERPA > Complete authorization

If you are not using the Common App, you will need to sign the FERPA through Naviance

  • About Me > Surveys From My School > FERPA and Transcript Release Authorization