Official student records, including but not limited to transcripts, will not be released until the following conditions are met:

1. All admission documents are filed with the Office of the Registrar at both campuses.
2. The Office of Financial Aid has provided clearance for any student with a loan.
3. All borrowed items and materials have been returned to the appropriate departments or faculty.
4. All outstanding balances owed to the college have been paid.
5. There are no holds on the student’s record.
6. The Office of the Registrar will not release student records to students who have a hold with the Office of Financial Aid.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 protects the privacy of student educational records, grants students the right to inspect and review their records, and provides procedures for correcting inaccurate or misleading information. Laredo College complies with FERPA and informs students of their rights by publishing general policies in the college catalog and detailed procedures in the Student Handbook.

Student Rights Under FERPA

Students have the following rights regarding their educational records:

• Right to Access – Students may inspect and review their educational records by submitting a written request to the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.
• Right to Request Corrections – If a student believes their record contains inaccurate or misleading information, they may request an amendment.
• Right to File a Complaint – Students may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe Laredo College has failed to comply with FERPA.
• Right to Control Disclosure – In most cases, student records cannot be released without written consent. However, FERPA allows for certain exceptions.

Disclosure of Student Information

• To Parents or Legal Guardians – Student information may be provided to parents or legal guardians without written consent if the student is a financial dependent as defined under Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Directory Information – FERPA permits the release of "directory information" without student consent unless the student has opted out. This includes name, major, enrollment status, and awards.
• Other Exceptions – Certain officials, agencies, or institutions may access records without consent under specific FERPA exemptions.

The Office of the Registrar maintains a Directory of Records, listing all educational records retained by Laredo College. All rights and protections under FERPA belong to the student once they are enrolled at the college.

For more details, visit the Office of the Registrar.

Student Directory Information

Laredo College designates the following items as Student Directory Information:

• Student’s name
• Address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Field of study
• Enrollment status (full-time, part-time, undergraduate, graduate, etc)
• Degrees, certificates and other awards received
• Type of award received (academic, technical, or continuing education)
• Dates of attendance
• Student classification
• Name of institution previously attended

Laredo College may disclose any of these items as listed in the Student Directory Information without student consent. However, if a student does not wish for his/her student directory information to be released, the student must inform Laredo College, in writing, to withhold such information. Such non-consent may be declared in the Office of the Registrar and Admissions by completing the "Request to Withhold Student Directory Information" form. The institution will honor the request to withhold student directory information from the semester that this request is made until indicated otherwise. This does not inhibit Laredo College from other legal releases of student data, which may include personal data.

Name Change

Students may request a name change by completing a "Change of Student's Information form" at the Office of the Registrar and must submit a copy of an official (federal/State) document that documents the name change. Student must present two (2) of the following:

• Divorce decree
• Marriage certificate
• Social Security Card
• TX Identification (Texas Driver’s License or Texas Identification Card)

Official Notifications and Communication with Students 

All official communication with students at Laredo College is done electronically through e-mail notifications. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he/she checks their official Laredo College e-mail account for all communications from Laredo College to the student. This includes all official notifications of financial aid awards, grades, transcript holds, student account information, and other similar information important to students. Students must log in to their PASPort accounts in order to retrieve pertinent Laredo College information via e-mail. Students can access their accounts on the world wide web at PASPort.laredo.edu.

Directory of Records

Areas in which student records are maintained

1. Academic Records
   1. Office of the Registrar
   2. Academic departments and faculty offices
   3. Advising Center
   4. Center for Learning, Academic and Student Success
2. Financial Records
   1. Bursar's Office
   2. Office of Financial Aid
3. Other Student Records
   1. Advising Center
   2. Assessment Center
   3. Office of Student Discipline/Title IX
   4. Office of the Registrar
   5. Student Health and Wellness Center
   6. Disability Services