Why can't the Office of Student Financial Aid tell your spouse, parents, or outside agencies what kind of aid you've been awarded?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (a.k.a. the Buckley Amendment) limits the access, without express written consent from the student, of any outside person or agency to a student's educational records. A student may, however, bring along a spouse/parent, etc. when coming to the office for appointments or to ask questions.