Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

What is FERPA? Will my immigration status be kept confidential?

FERPA is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. You can be reassured that your immigration status and the information provided in the affidavit will be kept confidential and is not shared with immigration services.

When completing the AB 540 Affidavit, students who are undocumented check the same exact box that U.S. Citizens and Residents do to protect undocumented students. (“I am NOT a nonimmigrant alien. [U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or aliens (due to explanation we are using the “A” term, but shouldn’t be used within the community) without lawful immigration status, among others, should check this box.]) For more information about FERPA, visit the website.

What if my parents are not California residents?

When completing your admission application, your parent’s citizenship, immigration and residency status is only used to determine your residency for tuition purposes. Your answers do not affect your admission. Your parent’s immigration status will also stay confidential.

Student Data Protection at Fullerton College

“Fullerton College will not release any personally identifiable student information, including any data related to immigration status, without a judicial warrant, subpoena or court order, unless authorized by the student or required by law.”

Fullerton College is  open to all students who meet the minimum requirements for admission, regardless of immigration status.

Students can be confident that based on federal (FERPA) and state law, any information they submit on their college admission and/or financial aid applications will not put themselves or their families at risk.

Directory information, which includes name, dates of attendance, and other factors can be considered public information. Students may request that the college restrict access to their directory information by contacting the Admissions or Registrar’s Office.