Privacy Policy/FERPA
In an effort to better protect the privacy of our students, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has implemented a new office policy, as follows, effective 11/27/17.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of a student’s record. As an educational institution, Eastern Illinois University (and all of its employees) must protect the privacy of our students. Under this law, information about a student cannot be released to anyone other than the student or a parent of a dependent student that is listed on the student FAFSA.
Students will be required to provide their Panther card student ID or an alternative form of photo ID in order to access their account information in the Financial Aid office. Through email, responses containing FERPA protected information may only be sent directly to the student’s Panthermail email account. Over the phone, students will be required to answer questions in an effort to verify their identity in addition to providing their student ID number.
Please note: NO dollar amounts will be released over the phone or email to the student or any other individual. We are always happy to “walk you through” your PAWS account to help you locate these award amounts!
FERPA regulations prohibit sharing student specific information with anyone outside of EIU. FERPA does permit the Financial Aid Office to share student specific information, with the exception of Satisfactory Academic Progress, enrollment information and dollar amounts, with a parent of a dependent student who is listed on the FAFSA. Financial Aid Advisors will request information in order to verify the parent’s identity over the phone or email.
FERPA restricts our ability to share student-specific information with parents who are not listed on the FAFSA and others who may be helping the student with financial aid information. However, the student does have the option to allow any individual proxy access to their student account information on PAWS. Proxy access can be granted at https://www.eiu.edu/family/proxyfaq.php. Alternatively, students may sign a release of information form in the financial aid office to allow financial aid advisors to speak with others regarding their account information at the student’s discretion. Students can print this form on our website. It must be returned to the Financial Aid and Scholarships office by the student IN PERSON WITH A PHOTO ID.
