Chapter 10: Education Privacy
FERPA Definition of Student
Under FERPA, a student is anyone who is or has been in attendance at an educational institution, including online attendees, but the term excludes applicants who never enrolled - even those who were accepted but did not enroll.
FERPA defines a student as any individual who is or has been in attendance at an educational agency or institution. Attendance is defined broadly to include people present on campus as well as those who participate via the internet.
Applicants are not students
The definition excludes individuals who only applied - and even those who were accepted but did not enroll. A student's admission record only becomes an education record once the student matriculates. This is why rejected applicants cannot use FERPA to see why they were turned down.
Key terms - quick answers
What is “Student”?
Under FERPA, any individual who is or has been in attendance at an educational agency or institution, with attendance including in-person and internet participation.