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A TU student and parent moving into the dorm

Parents’ Corner

The Parents’ Corner is an information resource for families of current and prospective Thomas University Students. We understand that sending your student to college is a big step for both of you, and we want parents to have access to important information that will make that transition easier.

Whether it’s your first child or your fifth child, the day you drop them off at campus and drive home never gets any easier. However, you and your student chose Thomas University, so you can rest assured that your child will have an exceptional educational experience.

If you have additional questions, need assistance, or further information please contact Student Life at 229-226-1621 ext 1118 or the Office of Student Success at advising@thomasu.edu.

+FERPA. Why you should care

Without a FERPA Student Authorization Form on file with the Registrar’s office, we cannot discuss your student’s grades, finances, attendance or other details of their student record with you, even though you are the parents! This information is protected under FERPA. The FERPA form is available in the student portal, HawkLink, and must be submitted by the student.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

  • The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.
    • A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
    • A student who wishes to ask the University to amend a record should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
      If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, the University will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
  • The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
    • The University discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using University employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
    • A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the University.
      Upon request, the University also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
    • The University may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, date and place of birth, degrees awarded, major field of study, honors and awards, and dates of attendance.
    • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failure by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education,
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901

Additional Information:
U.S. Department of Education FERPA Website

Please contact the Thomas University Registrar with any questions concerning the release of information under FERPA or to opt-out of having directory information shared. Students with complaints regarding their privacy rights are also encouraged to visit or contact the Registrar by e-mail (registrar@thomasu.edu) or by phone at 229-226-1621, Ext 1022.

+What Parents need to Know

Yes, they will need them! The list of textbooks and any online software required for each class are posted on the TU website before each semester on the Bookstore page.

Students may purchase their books through our online bookstore. The convenient access and streamlined purchasing allow students to enjoy personalized shopping carts that build automatically as they select their course materials. Students have the ability to choose from digital, new and used print, and rentals all in one place. Flexible delivery and payment options are available so students are able to get what they need with ease.

Students that are registered for courses may charge up to $1,000 in textbooks to their account. Students will be responsible for textbook charges. Charges will decrease the amount of any refunds.

Security

On-campus students should contact the Resident Director or their Resident Assistant 24/7 in case of an emergency.

Emergency System

Thomas University has an emergency communications system in place to notify all students, faculty and staff in the event of an emergency situation.
  • In the event of an emergency:
    • The emergency system is updated each semester with each student's information from the registrar's office. It's important that a student updates his/her information in Hawklink.
    • An emergency message in the form of a text message, voice message and email will be sent to all cell phone numbers, home phone numbers and email addresses on file with the registrar's office. (Please make sure your student updates this information regularly in Hawklink.)
    • An emergency message will be sent to all computers on the TU network. This message interrupts any work on that computer. The message must be dismissed by the computer user or time out according to its programming.
    • Emergency notifications will be posted on the TU website, Facebook page, Twitter page and Instagram page.
  • Parents are welcome to sign up to be included in TU's emergency messaging system. To do so, please send the following information to marketing@thomasu.edu. Please send a separate email for each parent. You will be contact via email to verify that the information is correct.
    • Parent's name
    • Student's name
    • Parent's cell phone number(s)
    • Parent's email address(es)

Student Activities

TU has many clubs and organizations in which students can participate. Interested students can contact the office of Student Life to discover our various student organizations or learn how to create a new one.

TU offers a variety of services to assist students in and out of the classroom. Learn more

+Office of Student Success

Students are assigned a student a Success Advisor based on their major which allows students to benefit from a deep understanding of the course progression and processes unique to that program.  Success Advisors assist in developing a graduation plan, registering in classes and identifying resources to assist in successful progression toward your degree.  They are available to assist students in a variety of ways beyond simply registering for classes. Any questions students have concerning their college experience can be addressed with their Success Advisor.  They will provide information and make referrals to appropriate resources.  Success Advisors will also reach out if students appear to be falling behind in their coursework so that students can get back on track quickly.

Every student also has access to faculty advisors who provides information on career pathways specific to each major and can assist in determining appropriate elective credit, internships and other experiences that provide a deeper preparation in your chosen career.

Students have access to free tutoringthrough TU’s Learning Commons.  This is available in-person or virtually for a wide variety of coursework.

TU’s Career Center is also available free of charge to assist students in determining career pathways based on interests and skills, preparing students for interviews, developing resumes and job searches.

+Important Dates

The FAFSA application is available NOW.  If your student plans to attend college next academic year, please complete this form.  Some aid programs are first come, first serve!  Our school code is 001555.

Parents trying to plan for when their students will be home for the holidays or over the summer can view the Academic Calendar.

Housing. Student housing is assigned on a first-come first-served basis for students who have a completed housing application and have paid the housing deposit. The housing application and deposit can be completed in the student portal, HawkLink.

+Financial Aid

Here in the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, we are here to help evaluate college cost and apply for financial aid programs. Our mission at Thomas University is to make an exceptional TU education affordable with as simple and straightforward as possible process. Over 90% of students receive financial aid at Thomas University. Our staff is devoted to your success and anticipate supporting you with your financial aid application.

Additionally, the student’s financial aid information is available 24/7 through HawkLink (our student portal).  Your child has been sent information on setting up their TU account for email and access to HawkLink.

For more information on applying for financial aid, completing your financial aid file, accepting aid, types of aid and more, please visit the Financial Aid page.

A variety of scholarships are available to new and returning students. These can be viewed here. Students must be accepted to be eligible to apply for these scholarships. The applications are available in HawkLink. Please note the deadline for applying for these is 3/1.

Contact Us

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Admissions Building
1501 Millpond Rd.
Thomasville, GA 31792

FAFSA School Code: 001555

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Email: finaid@thomasu.edu
Phone: (229) 584-2460
Fax: 229-584-2400

Schedule a phone or video appointment

+Student Accounts

Thomas University’s Student Accounts Office is dedicated to helping students and parents understand their student account.  We can assist with questions about tuition, fees and refunds as well as determining whom to contact to correct errors on your account.  We are here to help!  Additionally, the student’s account information is available 24/7 through HawkLink (our student portal). 

For information on when tuition is due, how to make a payment, payment plans and more, please visit the Student Accounts page. 

Contact Us

Student Accounts
Smith Bonvillian Annex First Floor
1501 Millpond Rd.
Thomasville, GA 31792

Office Hours

Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Email: student.accounts@thomasu.edu
Phone: 229-227-6883
Fax: 229-584-5398

Schedule a phone or video appointment

+Housing and Meal Plans

Thomas University offers on-campus housing for full-time students.  There are three dormitories at two locations.

Visit our Housing page for more information concerning housing, room layouts, ‘what to pack’ lists.  We encourage parents to bring their student to campus at move-in if possible and our orientation has a special track just for parents.

PLEASE NOTE: On-campus housing is assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students interested in housing should complete the Housing Application, including the $300 room reservation fee, as soon as possible.

Dining and Meal Plans

Students residing in the Pinetree Dormitory and all overflow housing must purchase a 21-meal plan. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and brunch and dinner on Sunday. Students may use their meal plan at either the Pinetree Dining Hall or at the Hawk’s Nest on the Forbes campus.

Magnolia dormitory residents have a full kitchen in each apartment unit.  However, they too can purchase a meal plan.  A variety of meal plans are available.

+Orientation

+New Student Orientation

All new students are required to participate in the Thomas University New Student Orientation (NSO) program. 

NSO provides vital information regarding the many important student features one gains as they become a Night Hawk. Some highlighted features are:

  • using the Student Portal (Hawklink) including student account and financial aid information,
  • understanding Canvas, the online learning site that accompany all courses at TU,
  • review of the numerous Library resources available to Night Hawks on campus or as a distance student.
  • orientation to the TU Honor Code and our expectations for academic integrity,
  • academic support services
  • opportunities for student involvement here at TU.

The Campus-based NSO is required for all undergraduate students, new to TU, taking one or more classes on TU’s Thomasville, Georgia, campus and beginning classes in the Fall semester. This includes transfer students. 

+Administrative Department Contact Information

DepartmentEmailPhone
Admissions
Click for individual contact information
admissions@thomasu.edu 844-862-6978
Advising
Click for individual contact information 		advising@thomasu.edu 
Athleticsathletics@thomasu.edu 
Bookstoretubookstore@thomasu.edu 
Human Resourceshr@thomasu.edu 229-226-1621 x 1080
Financial Aid
Schedule an Appointment

finaid@thomasu.edu 229-715-7119
Librarytulibrary@thomasu.edu 229-227-6959
Registrarregistrar@thomasu.edu 
Student Accounts
Schedule an Appointment		student.account@thomasu.edu 229-351-4522
Student Life studentlife@thomasu.edu 
Veterans Services
Schedule an Appointment
military@thomasu.edu 202-821-7249

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