This form is to be used for the purpose of assigning rights of access to your Lyon education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly known as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment. FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of your education records. FERPA conveys to your parents certain rights with respect to these records (NOTE: FERPA regulations define “parent” to include not only a court-appointed guardian, but anyone essentially performing that role, such as a grandparent). Those rights transfer to you when you reach the age of 18 or enroll in a postsecondary school.

Under FERPA, Lyon may, at its discretion, disclose information in your education records, including financial and disciplinary records, to your parents either a) with your written consent, or b) without your consent, upon documentation of your financial dependency for tax purposes. Your age and your parents’ custodial status are not factors in this context. If either parent claims you as a dependent on tax returns, then either parent may be afforded access to your Lyon education records [34 CFR Sec. 99.31(a)(8)]. With certain exceptions, if you are financially independent of your parents, you must give written consent for Lyon to disclose to them any information from your education records.

As are all academic institutions, Lyon is bound by FERPA in matters pertaining to rights of access and to the disclosure of information in your education records. Subject to FERPA requirements and provisions, the College may provide access to said information in accordance with your declaration, as indicated below. (NOTE: Your declaration on this form will take precedence in any instance of a conflicting declaration made by you on other Lyon forms.)

This certification will remain in effect for your entire enrollment period at Lyon unless you notify the Registrar.