How to Locate Your FERPA Passphrase in MyEnsign

Overview

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Under FERPA, colleges cannot release or discuss a student's academic, financial, or personal information with anyone—including parents, spouses, friends, or sponsors—unless the student has provided written authorization and the requester provides the correct FERPA passphrase.

This article explains how Ensign College students can locate their FERPA passphrase inside the MyEnsign Student Center.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Find Your FERPA Passphrase

1. Go to the Ensign College Website

Navigate to https://ensign.edu

2. Open the "My Ensign" Portal

  • At the top of the website, select Quick Links
  • From the dropdown menu, click My Ensign (under Campus Needs)

3. Navigate to the Student Center

Once you are in My Ensign:


On the homepage, go to the section labeled Popular Places

  • Click Student Center

4. Open the Personal Information Section

Inside the Student Center:

  • Scroll to find the section labeled Personal Information
  • Click FERPA Restrictions and Release

5. Go to the FERPA Release Page

On the FERPA Restrictions page, you will see two buttons:

 

  • Edit FERPA/Directory Restrictions
  • Edit FERPA Release Form

Click Edit FERPA Release Form

 

6. Locate Your FERPA Passphrase

Inside the FERPA Release Form, scroll down to the section titled Email Notice.

 

 

 

 

In this section, you will find your FERPA Passphrase Field. This is the passphrase you (and anyone you authorize) must provide when requesting information from the college.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important FERPA Information

What FERPA Requires

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), schools cannot release a student's educational records to anyone unless:

  1. The student has officially authorized that person on their FERPA Release Form, and
  2. The requester provides the correct FERPA passphrase listed in the student's MyEnsign account

Who Must Provide the FERPA Passphrase

The following people must give the passphrase when requesting student information:

  • The student
  • Parents
  • Spouses
  • Sponsors
  • Anyone acting on behalf of the student (only if authorized)

What Happens If They Do Not Give the Passphrase

If the requester cannot provide the FERPA passphrase, the college cannot release ANY information.

This includes:

  • Academic records
  • Grades
  • Financial aid details
  • Scholarship information
  • Cashiering/financial account information
  • Enrollment information
  • International student status
  • Advising notes

Note: This is a federal law, not an institutional policy.

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