University of South Florida: Can parents access a college student's education records if the student is our tax dependent?
DIRECT ANSWER
This answer preserves school guidance recorded on 2026-09-01. Follow the linked university sources for current requirements, costs and dates.
Possibly. FERPA permits, but does not require, a college to disclose education records to a parent who claims the student as a tax dependent.
The U.S. Department of Education recognizes a FERPA exception that allows a postsecondary institution to disclose records to a parent of a dependent student under the tax-code test. USF may apply that exception under its procedures, but dependency does not create an automatic right to every record on demand.
Sources & verification
What else would you like to know?
Ask a question to get the answer first. CH2 opens a tool or broader page directly only when you ask to use or view it.