Family Education Rights and Privacy Act The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student’s educational records. FERPA affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their educational records. An ‘eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age, therefore Williams Technical College (WTC) considers an ‘eligible student’ any student who is currently attending WTC or has attended the Institute. FERPA does not apply to applicants who have been admitted, but who have not been in attendance. In respecting the students’ specific, protected rights regarding the release of their education records. The purpose of this form is to provide written consent for WTC to release certain education records, as required by FERPA.