Student Privacy Release

Student academic and financial information is protected by federal regulations, therefore, the University cannot release information to anyone without the student’s express permission. There are two forms of release that students can grant to parents, guardians or others: the FERPA release allows university staff to speak to others by phone or email; Authorized Users can access student financial information online with their own login and password.

Completing the FERPA Authorization Form

1. Log into your Castleton Portal. On the Web Services Menu on the right hand side of your welcome page, choose Student Academic Profile, then choose FERPA Authorization Form.

2. Add the people you are allowing us to speak to, then create an Access Code. This is a word or phrase that the people on the list must give verbally over the phone each time they call, so please make it simple and easy to remember, like a pet name, favorite movie, sports team, etc. Then choose Submit, and be sure to give the code to each person on the list.

Creating an Authorized User

From any Castleton webpage, find the VSC Portal link at the very bottom of the page. On the login page, find the VSC Bill Payment link under the Login button:

Login at the Students and Staff box.

1. At the top of the welcome page, under My Account, go to the “Authorized Users” tab.
2. Under “Add Authorized User” fill in the email address of the person you would like to view your billing information, answer the access questions and “Continue.”
3. Read the terms and conditions agreement, then "Agree" and then “Continue.”

A confirmation page will come up telling you that an email has been sent to the address that you provided. Your authorized user will receive an email at that address with login instructions and a temporary password. Authorized users will also receive emails when bills are updated.

NOTE: If the authorized user should lose or forget their password, the student must log into “Authorized Users” again and delete that user with the “delete” button by the user’s email address, then re-enter the information as though adding a new authorized user. The authorized user will then receive new login information.

Vermont State College Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Education and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records. The law gives eligible students, those who have reached the age of 18, or the parents of students under the age of 18, certain rights with respect to their education records. Students have the right to inspect and review all of their educational records maintained by the university. If parents/guardians claim a student as a dependent, they may have access to the student's educational records without prior permissions.

Students have the right to request that the University correct academic records believed to be inaccurate or misleading. If the university decides not to amend the record, the student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the university still decides not to amend the record, the eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record commenting on the contested information in the record.

Generally, the University must have written permission prior to releasing any academic information from a student's record. However, the law allows the University to disclose records without consent, to the following parties:

• University employees who have a need to know;
• Other schools to which the student is applying;
• Certain government officials in order to carry out lawful functions;
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
• Parents of dependent eligible students;
• Organizations conducting studies for the university;
• Accrediting organizations;
• Individuals who have obtained court orders or subpoenas;
• Personals who need to know in cases of health and safety emergencies; and state and local authorities, within the justice system, pursuant to specific state law. 

Students have the option of completing an online form in Web Services that provides parents or others with access to their academic records and an access code for them to provide when seeking information either in person or on the phone. This permission does not include transcript requests, GPA information or grade reports; these must be individually requested by the student.

Directory Information

The University may also disclose, without consent. "directory type information" that is considered not to be harmful to student/parent if released. The information considered by the university to be directory information is name, home and college address, telephone listing, email address, date of birth, major, enrollment status (full-time or part-time), enrollment level (undergraduate or graduate), dates of attendance, degrees and awards given, weight and height of athletic team members, photographs, most recent and previous educational institutions attended, and participation in officially recognized activities and sports. Parent information is not directory information.

Students have the right to withhold the release of any or all directory information, to do so a written request must be made at the Office of the Registrar. It should be noted that if directory information is to be withheld, it will be withheld to all parties. A request to withhold directory information must be made as soon as possible after the term begins and will remain in effect until revoked by the eligible student.

For additional information, technical assistance or to file a complaint, you may contact the Family Policy Compliance Office at (202) 260-3887 or via email or: 

US Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605