Parents’ Corner

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.

Stacie Reilly
Advisor, Student Success
sreilly@thomasu.edu
229-226-1621 ext. 1087
Call or Text 229-977-7673
Schedule Appointment

Kendon Warren
Advisor, Student Success
kwarren@thomasu.edu
229-227-1621 ext. 1063
Call or  Text 229-201-0889
Schedule Appointment

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. We do not guarantee housing availability if the application and deposit are not received by 7/1.

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
Student Service Building D
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

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).  Your child has been sent information on setting up their TU account for email and access to HawkLink.

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
Student Service Building D
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

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 application on the housing page, including the $300 room reservation fee, as soon as possible. Space is limited to the first 134 completed applications. Housing cannot by guaranteed unless the housing application and deposit are received by July 1.

Dining and Meal Plans

Students residing in the Pinetree Dormitory have a 10-meal plan included in their housing costs (breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday)

Magnolia dormitory residents have a full kitchen in each apartment unit.  However, they too can purchase a meal plan.  Breakfast and dinner is served at the Pinetree dormitory.

+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.