FundSvcs Community

Thanks for that info.  I need to confirm but I believe that text I included was the interpretation that came from our counsel. They are telling us that if a scholarship has any kind of "need" criteria that we can't disclose student info even with written consent from the student, which seems to contradict the first statement from the FAQ you provided.

We would certainly love it if all of our students would participate in sharing their story with our donors but it continues to prove a difficult task for us to motivate them to do so, leaving our hands somewhat tied on stewarding our donors they way they would like to be stewarded. 

Hey there, Jennifer.

What does Counsel say about this? And where did that quote come from? FASA?

In a 2019 presentation made by FSA at the FSA Training Conference for Financial Aid Professionals, they seem to suggest that certain information can be released to donors under certain circumstances. The Q&A from that presentation is included below.

I'd be inclined to have Counsel ask FSA directly what they consider to be a permitted use of the data:

John H. Taylor

Principal

John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC

2604 Sevier St.

Durham, NC   27705

johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com

919.816.5903 (cell/text)

Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987

Does anyone have insight on if and how you are providing this information to your scholarship donors? We provide student info. If we cannot get a student written letter we provide basics. First Name, Last Name Initial, Major, Grade level & GPA. 

Thanks for that info.  I need to confirm but I believe that text I included was the interpretation that came from our counsel. They are telling us that if a scholarship has any kind of "need" criteria that we can't disclose student info even with written consent from the student, which seems to contradict the first statement from the FAQ you provided.

We would certainly love it if all of our students would participate in sharing their story with our donors but it continues to prove a difficult task for us to motivate them to do so, leaving our hands somewhat tied on stewarding our donors they way they would like to be stewarded. 

Hey there, Jennifer.

What does Counsel say about this? And where did that quote come from? FASA?

In a 2019 presentation made by FSA at the FSA Training Conference for Financial Aid Professionals, they seem to suggest that certain information can be released to donors under certain circumstances. The Q&A from that presentation is included below.

I'd be inclined to have Counsel ask FSA directly what they consider to be a permitted use of the data:

John H. Taylor

Principal

John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC

2604 Sevier St.

Durham, NC   27705

johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com

919.816.5903 (cell/text)

Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987

Kirstie....

I would be very careful about releasing Major, Grade level and especially GPA.  Those are not considered directory data under FERPA, and thus are protected information.  Albeit you are you are only releasing last name initial, that still might be enough to identify an individual especially with grade level and major included. Have you considered omitting the name information all together?  

Terry Callaghan 

Does anyone have insight on if and how you are providing this information to your scholarship donors? We provide student info. If we cannot get a student written letter we provide basics. First Name, Last Name Initial, Major, Grade level & GPA. 

Thanks for that info.  I need to confirm but I believe that text I included was the interpretation that came from our counsel. They are telling us that if a scholarship has any kind of "need" criteria that we can't disclose student info even with written consent from the student, which seems to contradict the first statement from the FAQ you provided.

We would certainly love it if all of our students would participate in sharing their story with our donors but it continues to prove a difficult task for us to motivate them to do so, leaving our hands somewhat tied on stewarding our donors they way they would like to be stewarded. 

Hey there, Jennifer.

What does Counsel say about this? And where did that quote come from? FASA?

In a 2019 presentation made by FSA at the FSA Training Conference for Financial Aid Professionals, they seem to suggest that certain information can be released to donors under certain circumstances. The Q&A from that presentation is included below.

I'd be inclined to have Counsel ask FSA directly what they consider to be a permitted use of the data:

John H. Taylor

Principal

John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC

2604 Sevier St.

Durham, NC   27705

johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com

919.816.5903 (cell/text)

Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987

I agree about the statement on GPA but this is the first I've heard of grade level and major not being considered directory information? We have it listed in our definition of directory info for our students and I know of many other schools that include it as well. 

Kirstie....

I would be very careful about releasing Major, Grade level and especially GPA.  Those are not considered directory data under FERPA, and thus are protected information.  Albeit you are you are only releasing last name initial, that still might be enough to identify an individual especially with grade level and major included. Have you considered omitting the name information all together?  

Terry Callaghan 

Does anyone have insight on if and how you are providing this information to your scholarship donors? We provide student info. If we cannot get a student written letter we provide basics. First Name, Last Name Initial, Major, Grade level & GPA. 

Thanks for that info.  I need to confirm but I believe that text I included was the interpretation that came from our counsel. They are telling us that if a scholarship has any kind of "need" criteria that we can't disclose student info even with written consent from the student, which seems to contradict the first statement from the FAQ you provided.

We would certainly love it if all of our students would participate in sharing their story with our donors but it continues to prove a difficult task for us to motivate them to do so, leaving our hands somewhat tied on stewarding our donors they way they would like to be stewarded.