Student Consumer Information

Institutional Authorization and Consumer Complaints

Regulations associated with federal student financial aid program include the following requirements.

  • The institution must make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution’s accreditation and its State, Federal, or tribal approval or licensing.
  • The institution must also provide its students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student’s complaint.

The following paragraphs and links fulfill these obligations.

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The History and Evolution of UWG

From its humble beginnings as an agricultural and mechanical school in 1906 to a leading university, the University of West Georgia has a history rich with knowledge and growth.

The Fourth District Agricultural and Mechanical School in Carrollton opened its doors in response to a call for “more realistic educational programs for rural youth” ages 13-21. With the site of the former Bonner Plantation chosen as a location, 110 pupils enrolled in 1908. As time changed, so did the educational priorities of Georgia and the nation. By 1933, seven of the A&M schools abandoned their missions, and a decision was made to abolish the remaining A&M schools.

Despite the change, the Fourth District Agricultural and Mechanical School was chosen later that year to become West Georgia College, a two-year institution of higher learning. The evolution continued when West Georgia became a four-year institution in 1957. At that time, 589 students were enrolled. By 1971, enrollment had increased to over 6,000 students. Just seven years after West Georgia received University status, fall enrollment topped 10,000.

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The University of West Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Several University of West Georgia programs are accredited by applicable agencies.

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Title IV - Higher Education Act (1965)

Title IV governs the federal student financial aid programs. The University of West Georgia is authorized to participate in federal Title IV programs. This authorization does not imply approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of the quality of the University of West Georgia’s educational programs.

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UWG Grievance Resolution

UWG desires to resolve student grievances, complaints and concerns in an expeditious, fair and amicable manner. Complaints regarding any aspect of UWG operations should be filed internally to UWG authorities first and then, if necessary, to external authorities. Contact information for filing complaints is given below.

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Online Courses and Programs

Meggie Miller, Interim Director, UWG Online, meggiem@westga.edu

Complaints by distance learning students follow the same procedures provided to non-distance students; these procedures are published in the UWG Online Student Guide (PDF) ; complaints routed to UWG Online directly are documented and follow internal departmental procedures for resolving each issue. UWG Online maintains records via a record of student complaints that can be accessed upon request by SACSCOC.

For processes that cannot be completed via telephone, e-mail, or written correspondence, the university may set up a two-way video-conference site in place of a meeting on the UWG campus. UWG Online strives to help resolve student grievances, complaints and concerns in an expeditious, fair and amicable manner. 

UWG students taking online courses via a collaborative agreement (eCore, eMajor, WebMBA, USG Goes Global, or European Union Studies Program) have an additional route that they may pursue, for help with academic and non-academic issues. Online/Off-Campus students are also encouraged to consult with their UWG eCore advisors and the UWG Online Help Desk, for assistance, as needed.

eCore students have an additional route that they may pursue, for help with academic and non-academic issues: Student Complaint or Grievance Policy

Online students are also encouraged to consult with either their eCore advisors or the UWG Distance Education Helpline for assistance, as needed:
eCore advisors 
678-839-5300 
ecore@westga.edu 

UWG Distance Ed Helpline
678-839-6248
distance@westga.edu

Academic Affairs
Jon Preston, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
jpreston@westga.edu

Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Dr. Andre Fortune, Vice President for Student Affairs
afortune@westga.edu

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Registrar

Donna Haley
dhaley@westga.edu

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For Federal Financial Aid and other federal obligations:

Instructions for filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education in regard to Title IV (financial aid, civil rights violations or discrimination)

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State Authorizations

The U.S. Department of Education requires compliance with state regulations of any state in which UWG provides distance education for students. To facilitate this compliance with state regulations, UWG has joined the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA).  This agreement allows us to offer distance education to other member states. To find out if your state of residence is a member state before applying to a program with UWG, please visit the NC-SARA website.

For your convenience, there is a dedicated email to answer any questions you may have regarding the availability of a specific program in your state of residence (deregs-list@westga.edu). This email is exclusively for questions regarding state authorizations. All other inquiries should be addressed to the academic department offering the online program or Undergraduate / Graduate Admissions.  If you do not see your state listed as a member of NC-SARA please email for more information.

Out-of-State Complaint Resolution

The U.S. Department of Education’s “Program Integrity” regulations require that each state has a student complaint procedure in order for public and private higher education institutions to be eligible for Title IV funds. GA-SARA is responsible for monitoring all written and signed student complaints against degree granting institutions authorized to operate in Georgia through SARA. The following link details the complaint process: GA-SARA Student Complaint Rules. Any complaints may be submitted using the form located here: GA-SARA Online Student Complaint Form.

UWG desires to resolve student grievances, complaints and concerns in an expeditious, fair and amicable manner. Students residing outside of the State of Georgia while attending UWG who desire to resolve a grievance should follow the University's Student Grievance Procedure found in the Student Handbook. 

If an issue cannot be resolved internally, you may file a complaint with your State. The Student Grievance Contact Information for individual states provided phone numbers, emails and/or links to state education agencies and are linked below. These new regulations require us to provide prospective and current students with contact information for filing complaints with the appropriate agency in the state where the student resides. Please click on your state to be connected to the relevant resources should you have a complaint about UWG.

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Contact Information

Georgia Department of Education – Office of Legal Affairs
2062 Twin Towers East, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr. SE
Atlanta, GA 30334