Your student's transition to college may seem a giant step.  Such transitions are normal for college students who may be living away from home for the first time, gaining new experiences, and developing new freedoms and responsibilities. 

As a parent, guardian or family member of a Niagara University student, we recommend developing open lines of communication, but also allowing your student the space to grow and mature as an individual.   Such a relationship is a complex balance to maintain, but will allow you the ability to offer support when necessary, as well as give your student the ability to develop on his or her own.

We hope that this site, and the links provided may be able to help answer some of your questions along the way.  As this site is new, please feel free to contact jps@niagara.edu to offer any suggestions, feedback, or testimonials.

Understanding FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents NU officials from discussing student's academic or personal records, beyond directory information, with parents, guardians, or other people not affiliated with the institution, without express written permission from the student.   Signing a waiver to share information with parents or guardians is optional for students.  

Please know that unless there is an online FERPA waiver which specifies your name, we cannot discuss any academic or personal information about your student with you.  If there is no waiver, we recommend three things:

• Keep open lines of communication with your student.  Ongoing communication may make signing a FERPA waiver unnecessary.
• Have your student contact us personally to discuss any concerns. While we may not be able to discuss issues with you, we would be glad to discuss them with him/her. Allowing your college student to advocate for themselves may help to build a sense of responsibility.
• Ask your student if he/she would be willing to sign the online FERPA waiver, which would then allow us to respond to your inquiry.

More Information About FERPA:

• Student Rights Under FERPA
• More Information About FERPA from the US Department of Education

Online FERPA Waivers

• Current students can access their FERPA waiver through MyNU.
• Former students/alumni can use this printable waiver form.

Recommendations for Parents

• Develop an open line of communication with your student.
• Provide support when necessary, but also allow your student the freedom to develop his or her own sense responsibility.  We realize that this balance may be easier to recommend then to actually accomplish.
• Encourage your student to speak to their academic advisor or stop by the Dean's office to talk to someone if they have concerns about any issues.
• Get to know the Financial Aid and Student Account processes.   This can be particularly daunting if this is your first child entering into college, but Financial Aid counselors are available to assist you at NU (716) 286-8686 and a variety of financial aid resources are available online.   Understanding financial aid can help your student manage the costs of college and avoid registration holds.