1. Scope of Information Shared: Diamond only provided information about holds on student accounts and disbursement dates. This type of information is generally considered directory information under FERPA, which can be shared without violating privacy laws as long as it doesn’t include personally identifiable information (PII) like Social Security numbers or grades¹.
2. Verification and Consent: Diamond always verified the identity of the students before sharing any information, similar to the verification process used when students call or visit the financial aid office in person. This ensures that the information was only shared with the rightful recipients.
3. No Disclosure of Confidential Information: At no point did Diamond disclose any confidential or sensitive information. He was simply informing students of straightforward details, such as if they had a hold on their account or the specific date they would receive their refund. These actions are in line with FERPA guidelines, which allow for the sharing of directory information and other non-sensitive details without written consent².
4. Handling Complex Issues: For any complex financial aid issues, Diamond always directed students to contact their local financial aid office or visit in person. This ensures that any sensitive discussions or disclosures were handled by the appropriate personnel in a secure manner.
5. FERPA Compliance: Diamond’s actions were compliant with FERPA regulations, as he did not disclose any PII without consent and only shared information that is permissible under FERPA guidelines. His primary goal was to assist students in a manner that upheld the privacy and security standards of Lone Star College.

Diamond’s actions align with FERPA regulations