FERPA Consent to Release

What It Is

FERPA consent to release allows an authorized third party (e.g., a parent or guardian) to contact the university on your behalf and discuss your academic and/or financial records.

  • All Education Records: Includes any and all academic, financial and personal information
  • Academic Record Only: Includes, but is not limited to, GPA, grades, degree progress, academic standing, academic holds, class schedule, transcript requests, academic advising
  • Financial Record Only: Includes, but is not limited to, financial aid (limited per Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999), account (billing/payments), financial holds, COF, tuition classification

What It Isn't

FERPA consent to release does not include access to your medical, student conduct or housing records. To authorize access to those records, see:

In addition, a FERPA release does not provide online access to your education records. That authorization requires CU guest access.

Learn about CU guest access 

How to Set It Up

Authorize an Individual Authorize an Organization
Authorize an Individual

To authorize a parent, guardian or other third party:

  1. Log in to .
  2. Select your profile at the top right.
  3. Select "Account Settings," then "Profile and Privacy."
  4. In the pop-up menu, select "FERPA Release."
  5. Select "Authorize/Edit FERPA Consent to Release."
  6. In the form, enter the person's first and last names in the corresponding fields.
  7. Enter a unique authorization phrase they'll use when contacting CU Boulder about your record.
  8. If you want this authorization to expire, uncheck "Never Expires" and set an expiration date.
  9. Identify which record(s) this individual may access and/or discuss.
  10. Click "Save."

Remember to tell your authorized third party what their authorization phrase is.

To authorize a consulate, cultural mission or other organization:

  1. Log in to .
  2. Select your profile at the top right.
  3. Select "Account Settings," then "Profile and Privacy."
  4. In the pop-up menu, select "FERPA Release."
  5. Click "Authorize/Edit FERPA Consent to Release."
  6. In the form, click "Authorized Third Party - Organization."
  7. Select the organization from the drop-down. If it's not listed, select "...Other..." and type the organization's name in the "if other" field.
  8. Enter a unique authorization phrase they'll use when contacting CU Boulder about your record.
  9. If you want this authorization to expire, uncheck "Never Expires" and set an expiration date.
  10. Identify which record(s) this organization may access and/or discuss.
  11. Click "Save."

Remember to tell your authorized organization what their authorization phrase is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students Third Parties
Students

Yes. You can authorize an unlimited number of third parties and organizations.

Yes, you need to provide a first and last name. "Mom" or "Dad" is not permissible.

Yes, this functionality was released in Dec. 2019. Start by following the instructions above to access your "Authorize/Edit FERPA Consent to Release" page. If you've already authorized this individual or organization, simply edit their authorization to add an expiration date.

If they contact the university, they'll be asked to state their name and/or organization and provide their authorization phrase. CU staff will only discuss your record(s) if their name and authorization phrase both match what you entered for them.

No. "All education records" is limited to items specifically related to your education, classes, schedules and financial aid information at CU Boulder. Health and Wellness Services, Housing and Dining, and Student Conduct all have separate consent processes.

FERPA consent to release allows university representatives to answer questions about specific aspects of a student's record and discuss the record with individuals other than the student. CU guest access is an online, read-only way for guests to see certain components of a student's record. It doesn't allow guests to ask questions about or discuss a student's record with a university representative.

Students authorize FERPA consent to release through Buff Portal. See our step-by-step instructions above.

When the student granted you access to their records, they were required to establish a unique authorization phrase for you. Before CU staff can discuss the student’s record with you, you must provide the correct authorization phrase to confirm your identity.

Contact Us

   registrar@colorado.edu
   303-492-6970

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