FERPA form clarification?

I've heard about the FERPA form being part of the college application process. Can someone please explain what it is and its purpose?

Sure! FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a United States federal law that protects students' privacy by regulating access to educational records, including the information shared during the college application process. Essentially, FERPA ensures that your educational records remain confidential and can only be accessed by authorized people in specific circumstances.

In the context of college applications, the FERPA form grants permission for your high school to release your academic records, such as your transcripts or recommendation letters, to the colleges you're applying to. By signing the FERPA waiver, you give consent to your high school personnel to share this information with colleges, and you also agree not to access the recommendation letters submitted on your behalf. This waiver assures colleges that the recommendations they receive are honest and unbiased evaluations of your academic and personal qualities.

Typically, you will encounter the FERPA waiver when you start filling out the Common Application, Coalition Application, or another application platform. You'll need to complete this form once, and it will apply to all the colleges you submit applications to through that platform.

It is highly recommended to sign the waiver, as not doing so could raise concerns about the credibility of your recommendations and potentially hurt your chances of admission. However, if you have any concerns, it's always a good idea to consult your high school counselor or another trusted adult for guidance.