Graphic of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act As the parent or caregiver of a student, you are interested in knowing if your student is doing well, just getting by, or really struggling. While they were in the K-12 system, you may have received report cards by mail, and you may have had access to online tools where you could follow along with your student's progress in classes. Entering college, that changes somewhat.

Below are a few questions that parents and caregivers frequently ask about access to their student's records.

Why is PC unable to tell me anything about my student?

According to federal law and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), college students have the right to the privacy of all their education records including grades, financial information, and disciplinary records. Under this law, parents who want to gain access to a student's records can do so if the student signs a Release of Information form. Release of Information Forms are available here and on the website.

Unless a student makes other arrangements with us, we do not contact parents about the student's progress at college. It is the responsibility of the student to communicate with the parent and share how things are going.

How can I get a copy of my student's grades?

The easiest and fastest way to obtain information about your student's grades or records is for the student to provide it to you.

Since I'm paying for my child's education, why can't I get a copy of their records?

FERPA requires that access to a college student's records must be released by approval of the student. However, parents can receive information about their student if they show proof that the student is financially dependent for IRS purposes. To do so, submit a copy of your tax records that show dependent status, to the Running Start Office. Please know that our staff may not be able to grant your request immediately as they are required to have permission from the Enrollment Services Office prior to releasing student records to anyone other than the student.