FERPA Release Authorization—What's the deal?

I've been hearing something about FERPA Release Authorization, and I'm a little confused. Can someone help me understand what it is and how it will affect my college applications? Thanks in advance!

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The FERPA Release Authorization usually comes into play during the college application process when you need to authorize your high school to send your transcripts, test scores, and sometimes letters of recommendation to colleges.

When you apply to colleges, they'll need to see your academic records to evaluate your application. In order to do so, your high school must have permission to share that information. By signing a FERPA Release Authorization form, you are granting your high school permission to send your records to the colleges you're applying to.

FERPA also allows you to access and review your education records, request corrections if there are errors, and control the disclosure of your records (except in certain circumstances). Once you turn 18 or enter college, the rights under FERPA transfer from your parents to you.

How it affects your college applications: Once you grant FERPA release through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or another platform, your high school can send your records to the colleges, which is a necessary step for your application to be considered complete.

Additionally, some colleges use the FERPA waiver to determine your level of interest in their institution. By waiving your FERPA rights (which most students do), you signal to colleges that you're genuinely interested and trust the process.

It's essential to complete the FERPA Release Authorization in a timely manner, as your high school needs adequate time to send your records to colleges. Make sure to communicate with your school counselor or registrar to ensure they have everything they need from you, including the consent to release your records.