University of California, Santa Cruz: Can parents access a college student's education records if the student is our tax dependent?

By CollegeHousing.ai · Sources checked · 2026-27

DIRECT ANSWER

FERPA permits—but does not require—a college to disclose education records to a parent who properly establishes that the student is a tax dependent.

Federal FERPA contains an exception allowing a postsecondary institution to disclose records to a parent of a dependent student for federal tax purposes. The institution may require documentation and may still choose how to exercise the permitted disclosure.

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