The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that governs the use of and limits access to student education records. FERPA applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Education record – records, files, documents, and other materials which contain information directly related to a student, maintained by an educational institution.

For parents and/or guardians interested in learning more about access to their student’s academic, financial, health, housing, and dining records, please review the following information with your student.

Students can access their academic information via the secure online tool Self-Service Banner by logging onto myUWG at https://myuwg.westga.edu/. There your student can access and perform typical student tasks such as:

  • Registration (Drop/Add) for classes
  • Financial Aid information
  • Pay Fees
  • Check Grades
  • Change Address / Phone Number
  • View and Print Transcripts (unofficial)
  • Request Official Transcripts
  • View and Print Class Schedule
  • Purchase Meal Plan

The University of West Georgia must have an authorized connection on The UWG Family Portal or a completed FERPA Consent to Release Form on file before the University can release educational records or information with anyone other than the student. 

Parents/guardians may request access to student academic and financial aid records through The UWG Family Portal. This portal offers a FERPA authorization option that provides a digital dashboard view of academic information such as:

  • Academic information 
    (registration, student id number, academic progress, class schedules)
  • Academic Information (grades/ GPA only)
  • Account Holds
  • Disciplinary Records

  • Financial Aid/Loan Information (awards, eligibility, balances, etc.)
  • Student Account Information (billing statements, refunds, past due amounts, etc.)

Parents/guardians may sign up and submit a connection request by entering the UWG student email address. Once access is approved by the student, records will update in the portal nightly.

Students may grant or deny access to their records through The UWG Family Portal. Students may remove or edit access levels at any time.

The FERPA Consent to Release Form may authorize release of records such as:

  • Academic Information 
    (registration, student id number, academic progress, class schedules)
  • Academic Information (grades/GPA only)
  • Account Holds
  • Disciplinary Records*
    (records related to Student Wolf Code and the Academic Integrity Policy)
  • Employment Records*
    (employment info related to student enrollment status i.e., SA, GA, GTA, and GRA)
  • Financial Aid/Loan Information (awards, eligibility, balances, etc.)
  • Student Account Information (billing statements, refunds, past due amounts, etc.)
  • Other*(can be specified)

*To request disciplinary, employment, or other specified records, complete the FERPA Consent to Release Form. These records are not accessible through the UWG Family Portal.

Parents/guardians granted access to their student's academic records via the FERPA Consent to Release Form will be asked for the assigned 4-digit PIN Access Code to verify identity before the University can discuss or release physical copies of their student’s records.

Students may grant access to their academic records via the FERPA Consent to Release Form and may remove or edit access levels at any time.

FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF DEPENDENT STUDENTS

When a student enters a postsecondary institution at any age, all rights afforded to you as a parent/guardian under FERPA transfer to the student ("eligible student"). However, FERPA provides ways in which a school may (but is not required to) share information from an eligible student's education records with parents/guardians without the student's consent.

For example:

  • Schools may disclose education records to parents/guardians if the student is dependent for tax purposes. (documentation is required)
  • Schools may disclose education records to parents/guardians if a health or safety emergency involves their son or daughter.
  • Schools may inform parents/guardians if the student is under age 21 has violated any law or university policy concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.
  • A University official may share information with a parent/guardian based on that official's personal knowledge or observation of the student.

Each semester comes with a new set of dates, deadlines, refund information, and more. Use the links below to see the current and coming semester(s) information.

Tuition, Fees, and Billing

To pay tuition and fees, look for tuition statements,1098-T tax forms, or find a breakdown of current amounts and payment plans, visit the Office of Student Accounts and Billing Services or email studentaccounts@westga.edu.

To make a payment

Payments may be made online via the TouchNet PayPath. Visit the Payment of Tuition and Fees webpage for the complete list of payment methods.

Students may pay online through myUWG at https://myuwg.westga.edu/. To pay using a credit card, checking account, or a savings account, through Self-Service Banner, choose the "Student and Financial Information" tab, click "Registration & Fee Payment," then "Pay Student Account Charges."

Financial Aid

Students and families seeking information regarding financial aid eligibility, the award process, scholarships, check aid status, or complete an application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), visit the Office of Financial Aid website.

All first-time University students must live on-campus and purchase a meal plan for the first two semesters unless they meet one of the qualifications for exemption from the Housing Residency Requirement.

Communication

All communications regarding housing are sent directly to students via their UWG email accounts.

Questions

Contact Housing and Residence Life: at housing@westga.edu or 678-839-6426 if you have any questions about on-campus housing.

To view and sign up for a meal plan, visit Dine West website.

Meal plan options: All Access, Wolves, and Basic (required for first-time University students)

Options for signing up for a meal plan:

  • Online: myUWG (before last day of drop/add)
    Click the Current Student tab, Self-Service Banner, Student Services & Financial Aid, and Housing & Meal Plans
  • In-Person: Wolves Card Office, UCC 3rd Floor
  • Phone: 678-839-6525

Health Services provide various medical services to UWG students, ranging from preventative medicine to acute illnesses/injury to chronic conditions. Students taking at least one class on campus are charged the student health fee as part of their tuition and fees and are eligible to receive medical services at the Health Center. Exclusively online students have the option to pay the student health fee and qualify for services.

Confidentiality

Students receiving health care services at the Student Health Center and Pharmacy at the University of West Georgia have certain privacy rights granted by Georgia law and federal privacy law, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), protecting student education records.

Releasing treatment/medical information to parents/guardians

Students may authorize individuals to access all or specific parts of their medical records. The University of West Georgia must have a completed FERPA Consent to Release- Treatment Information Form on file, permitting the University to discuss any treatment matter/record with anyone other than the student. 

Forms parents/guardians must sign for minor students

If your student is under the age of 18 at the beginning of their first year, a parent or guardian must provide consent for the student to receive health care from Health Services.

Additional authorizations

For more information, visit the Health Services website or call 678-839-6452. 

UWG Counseling Center provides brief developmentally-based counseling and crisis intervention services to currently-enrolled UWG students. There is no charge for most counseling services. In addition, the Counseling Center provides consultation to faculty, staff, or parents/guardians who may be concerned about a student’s well-being.

Confidentiality

Students receiving counseling services at the Counseling Center at the University of West Georgia have certain privacy rights granted by Georgia law and federal privacy law, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), protecting the privacy of student education records.  

Releasing counseling/treatment information to parents/guardians

Students may authorize individuals to access all or specific parts of their counseling records. The University of West Georgia must have a completed FERPA Consent to Release - Treatment Information Form on file, permitting the University to discuss any counseling matter/record with anyone other than the student. 

For Parents or Guardians of minor students

If your student is under age 18 and dual-enrolled, your permission is needed so UWG may provide counseling services. In some situations, including mental health emergencies, a signed permission form is not required to render help. However, we strongly recommend parents/guardians contact Counseling Services to complete the necessary documentation so aid can be administered in non-emergency situations.

Authorizing Users

While visiting the UWG Counseling Center, students may authorize individuals using the FERPA Consent to Release - Treatment Information Form to access their records or talk with their counselor. 

Questions

For additional information relating to student counseling services, visit the UWG Counseling Center website, call 678-839-6428, or email counseling@westga.edu.

 

For Parents/Guardians

 

If you have questions about this FERPA information, contact

Student Solutions
(Momentum Center)
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30118
PHONE: (678) 839-6140
FAX:       (678) 839-6439
EMAIL: studentsolutions@westga.edu

 

Additional web pages

FERPA for Students

FERPA for Employees