Common Parent / FAMILY Questions
Who do I contact in case of an emergency?
In the case of an emergency our Campus Police can be contacted at 857-7979.
What is your tuition refund policy?
Students shall be eligible for a refund for those credit hours officially dropped during the drop period for the session. The refund will be at the full credit rate for those credits dropped. After the drop period for the session has passed, there will be no refund.
Students may drop a class by telephone (857-7827) or on-line at My VWCC. Students may also drop in person during the refund/drop period by submitting an add/drop form to the Admissions Office. The refund/drop deadline for regular session classes is published in the Schedule of Classes. The refund/drop deadline for all other session classes is available by calling 857-8922. If the refund/drop deadline for a class falls on a non-business day and the student prefers to drop the class in person, the drop must be submitted to the Admissions Office during normal operating hours prior to the refund/ drop deadline. For hours of operation, call 857-8922. Most refunds are processed after the last day to drop, and it normally takes 2-4 weeks for refunds to be processed through the state treasurer in Richmond.
What rights do I have as a parent?
Parents lose their FERPA rights when their child turns 18, or starts attending or taking classes in college (or any postsecondary institution), whichever happens first.
Under 20 USC 1232g(d) all rights of parents (including the right to inspect educational records and to consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable information) transfers to the student at the earlier of: 1) the attainment of age 18, or 2) attendance at an "institution of postsecondary education".
However, parents of a financially dependent student (defined by the IRS) may obtain their child's records, but must submit proof of the student's dependency (via most recent federal tax form) prior to receiving the requested information.
Can I access family members' spouse's records?
As far as FERPA is concerned, a student's spouse is an "unrelated third party", and therefore, has no rights under FERPA. While there is an exception that allows a college to disclose educational information to parents of a financially dependent student in the absence of consent, there is no such exception for spouses, even if the spouse is supporting the student.
