When acting as the school's agent, Parchment fits into an exception to the relevant federal law. But for you to participate in the optional College Discovery Student Outreach Services, or any other Parchment service where Parchment would have to use your official educational records, that exception does not apply. Therefore, whether Parchment is helping you find schools and programs or is otherwise taking any action that relies on having access to your official educational records, you must first give Parchment your permission to access and use that information. Therefore, by agreeing to take part in this optional program, you agree to allow Parchment to access and use your transcript and your other educational records. Further, so Parchment does not have to repeatedly request further permission as it rolls-out new services, your permission (or, if applicable, your permission and your parents') given now will apply to all other current and future Parchment services.

If you are not yet 18 and have not yet started attending a post-secondary school, the law says that you cannot give permission on your own and requires that a parent or guardian give permission.

Federal law provides that until a student is considered an "eligible student" (an "eligible student" is one who is 18 or is attending an institution of post-secondary education), that the student's parents have certain rights concerning their own and other people's access to their child's educational records. Once the student becomes an eligible student, the student takes over those rights from his or her parents.

Those rights include the right to inspect the educational records and challenge their content, and require that such records shall not be released without consent - except when certain statutory exceptions apply. Those exceptions include:

• Release of "directory information," which is defined as information not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Such information could include names, address, telephone listing, e mail address, grade level, field of study, etc.
• Release to employees of your present school who have "legitimate educational interests"
• Release to employees of a school or school system where you seek admission or intend to enroll, provided that your parents (or you as an eligible student) (1) are told of the transfer, (2) can get a copy of the records being sent, and (3) may request a hearing to challenge the content of the records
• Release which would support of your application for, or receipt of, financial aid
• Release in response to a subpoena, although you would first be given an opportunity to challenge the subpoena in court

There are also exceptions that permit governmental bodies conducting studies or monitoring educational initiatives or programs to view individual and grouped educational records.

Although you have the right to challenge the contents of your educational records, such challenges should be directed to the school, district or school system where the records originated. Parchment is not the appropriate entity to hear such challenges.