Guide to the FERPA Waiver on College Applications

As your child begins their college application journey, you may encounter the FERPA waiver section in the Common Application or other application platforms. This part of the process can be confusing, especially if you’re not sure what it means or why signing it is necessary.In this blog post, we’ll break down the FERPA waiver, explain why it’s important, and help you understand how it impacts your child’s college applications.What Is the FERPA Waiver?The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. When your child applies to colleges, FERPA rights are already in effect, meaning they control access to their educational records.As part of the application process, students are asked to waive their FERPA rights specifically for letters of recommendation. This means the student gives up their right to view recommendation letters once they are submitted to colleges.Why Does the FERPA Waiver Exist?The FERPA waiver was created to ensure that recommendation letters remain a confidential and unbiased component of the application process. Here’s why it’s important:

1. Encourages Honesty: Recommenders—such as teachers or counselors—may feel more comfortable writing candid and genuine letters if they know the student won’t see them.
2. Builds Credibility: Colleges trust confidential letters more because they believe the opinions expressed are honest and uninfluenced.
3. Maintains Professionalism: Confidential letters ensure that the focus remains on the student’s abilities, achievements, and potential, as observed by the recommender.

Do You Have to Sign the FERPA Waiver?While signing the FERPA waiver is optional, most students and families choose to sign it because it strengthens the weight and credibility of recommendation letters.If your child chooses not to sign the FERPA waiver:

• Recommenders will be informed that the student has retained the right to view their letters.
• This decision might raise a red flag for colleges, as it could suggest that the letters might not be entirely impartial.

What Parents Need to Know

• Signing the Waiver Does Not Prevent Access to Other Records: The FERPA waiver applies only to letters of recommendation and does not impact your ability to access your child’s educational records after they enroll in college.
• Your Child Should Make the Decision: Encourage your child to review and sign the FERPA waiver themselves. This is a key step in showing independence and ownership of their application process.

The Bottom LineThe FERPA waiver is a small but significant part of the college application process. By signing it, your child demonstrates trust in their recommenders and shows colleges that they respect the confidentiality of the application process.If you have questions about the FERPA waiver or any other part of the college application process, Weil College Advising is here to help. Let’s work together to ensure your child’s application stands out for all the right reasons!