SANS Assessment of Student Learning Plan (ASLP) Security Awareness Training

Under which condition is it acceptable to share student records?

1. If the student is over 16

2. If a staff member requests them to assist with a financial aid matter

3. If the request comes from a parent

4. If it's a group project

The correct answer is: If a staff member requests them to assist with a financial aid matter

Sharing student records is acceptable when a staff member requests them to assist with a financial aid matter because such requests typically involve legitimate educational interests that are recognized under privacy laws, such as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) in the United States. In this context, the staff member is likely to have a role in managing or supporting student services, and the information is essential for them to effectively fulfill their responsibilities regarding the student's financial aid, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. The other scenarios generally do not meet the necessary criteria for sharing student records. For instance, simply being over 16 does not inherently grant permission for sharing such records without appropriate legal or institutional guidelines. Parental requests for access to student records can be complex and may require students' consent, especially if they are over a certain age. Sharing information for a group project typically involves collaboration between students rather than external parties and does not warrant the sharing of individual student records.