Consumer Information

Academic program information is available through the Office of Admissions, the Catalog, and the Registrar's Office. The links below provide access to this information:

• Office of Admissions
• Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog
• Registrar's Office

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.

• Accreditation Information

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available in paper form by printing from the Federal Student Aid website or on the FAFSA website. An FSA ID is required to complete the FAFSA on the web form. Students and parents may sign up for the FSA ID on the Federal Student Aid website. 

 

Information regarding textbooks can be found on the UWG Outfitters website. You can utilize the "Find Your Books" service to determine which textbooks are required and prices. 

For information regarding campus crime and safety reporting as mandated by the Clery Act, please visit the Clery Act website.

For more information regarding campus safety and security, please visit the UWG Police Site.

Cost of attendance is determined by the Financial Aid Office each year. This information is provided to the students through their Self-Service Banner account. Adjustments may be made if extenuating circumstances exist.

Tuition, Fees, & Charges can be found on the Office of Student Accounts and Billing Services' website.

Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement. 

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.

Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office.

Federal Work Study (FWS) is not a scholarship or grant, but a chance to earn money for college. Please note that the University of West Georgia (UWG) does not guarantee that any student who qualifies for the Federal Work Study Program will be given a job. Federal Work Study cannot be included toward payment of the upcoming semester bill since it depends on the student securing a position and working the hours during the upcoming semester.

Federal Work Study is a federally funded program that awards up to $3,000 per academic year (Fall/Spring) based on need as determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and available funding. This program provides an opportunity to apply for part-time on and off-campus jobs for qualifying undergraduate students. Qualifying graduate students may also be awarded FWS funding upon request.

Federal Work Study is an opportunity to work and earn income while in school. By working, students gain experience, develop new skills, and earn money to meet their educational and living expenses. 

You are currently eligible to apply for a FWS position if you received an Award Letter from Financial Aid that listed Federal Work Study as an award. After receiving Federal Work Study funds, students are required to secure employment through UWG Student Employment, a position is not guaranteed. If you have questions concerning your Federal Work Study eligibility please contact our office at (678) 839-6421. To begin applying for jobs, please visit Handshake. For more information on available jobs or policies regarding Federal Work Study, please visit Career Services. 

All students who want to apply for federal or state financial aid funds must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may be asked to submit certain documents such as tax return transcripts, birth certificates, and/or Social Security cards and other items needed to verify financial or dependency status. Students who do not wish to submit requested documentation will not receive a financial aid award.

Students are notified at the beginning of each calendar year by email to reapply for financial aid.

Student are notified of Refund Policies in the Schedule of Classes, the Catalog, the Scoop, the Financial Aid website, and the Office of Student Accounts and Billing Services' website. The links below provide this information.

• The Scoop
• Financial Aid Office - Refund Information
• Office of Student Accounts and Billing Services' - Refund Information

Student Responsibilities are as follows:

• Must complete all requested forms accurately
• Must use all financial aid received solely for expenses related to attending UWG
• Must submit all documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office in a timely manner.
• Must meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies. Information about Satisfactory Progress may be found here: SAP

Student Rights are as follows:

• Right to know how financial need was determined
• Right to know how financial aid will be distributed
• Right to request an explanation of programs in the financial aid package
• Right to refuse any aid offered
• Right to request an explanation of UWG's refund policy
• Right to know what portion of financial aid must be repaid and what portion is a grant. If a loan has been received, have the right to know the interest rate and loan repayment options and procedures
• Right to examine the contents of aid records provided a written request is made to the Financial Aid Office. Students may not review confidential records submitted by parents without the written consent of the parent whose information has been submitted.
• Right to appeal Financial Aid decisions regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Student consumer information is provided by the Financial Aid Office and is the responsibility of the Director of Financial Aid to oversee. Publications are reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. Information may be provided to the media for publication.

All students wishing to receive federal or state funds must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students who wish to receive HOPE only and are not interested in federal aid may complete the Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS) on the GA Futures site. Students may be asked to submit documentation such as tax return transcripts, birth certificates, and Social Security cards and other items needed to verify financial or dependency status. Students who do not wish to submit requested documentation will not receive a financial aid award.

Students are notified at the beginning of each year by email that it is time to reapply for financial aid. The Financial Aid Office disseminates information through various channels. There is a financial aid web page that contains information about financial aid at UWG as well as various links and online forms. Financial Aid information is also included in various UWG publications (the Catalogs, Bulletin, the Scoop, etc.). The Financial Aid Office also has various information pieces that are emailed to the student’s UWG email account. Per the handbook and with confirmation from Laura Hall with the Department of Education, the requirement for “one-on-one distribution” is met by using the university email system. The Department will use this as the primary means for contacting a student. New students are sent paper letters until they have registered for courses. The Department also utilizes the University of West Georgia’s portal page. Targeted and general announcements are posted on the portal page in addition to sending a student an email.

The Student Eligibility Requirements are listed in the Guide to Financial Aid at UWG. They are as follows:

• Must be enrolled in or admitted to the University and be a high school graduate, or have a GED
• Undergraduates, certification graduates and provisional graduates must be enrolled at least 6 hours (some forms of financial aid allow for enrollment under 6 hours). Certification-only students can receive FA for only those classes within their program
• Graduate students enrolled at least 5 hours may qualify for loan programs
• Must not be in default or owe a refund on any Title IV aid program from any source
• Cannot receive aid for audit courses
• Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National or an eligible non-citizen. Documentation of status may be required
• Must have a completed financial aid file
• Must be in an eligible program of study

Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act - Title I: Student Right-To-Know - Student Right-To-Know Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require all institutions of higher education participating in any program under HEA title IV (Student Assistance) to disclose the completion or graduation rate of certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time students entering those institutions. Sets forth formulas for determining such rates. Allows institutions to exclude from such rates students who leave school to serve in the armed services, on official church missions, or with a recognized Federal foreign aid service.

Student retention and graduation data is housed within Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment. The improvement of UWG's first-year retention rates, progression rates toward graduation, and graduation rates for undergraduate students is an institutional strategic priority that is underscored by the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents. Retention and graduation rates follow the federal government reporting methodology and represent the percentage of a Full-Time, First-Time-In-College undergraduate cohort (entering in fall term or summer continuing to fall) that is still enrolled or has graduated from the same institution in the following fall term. These rates can be found by on the Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment website.

Information on completion/graduation rates of student athletes can be found online at: Equity in Athletics Data Analysis.

Students may access UWG's Withdrawal Policy by visiting the Registrar's Office website. 

Withdrawing from all courses in one semester, may result in a student owing back some of their financial aid. Title IV funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive.

If a recipient of Title IV grant or loan funds withdraws from a school after beginning attendance, the amount of Title IV grant or loan assistance earned by the student must be determined. If the amount disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, the unearned funds must be returned. If the amount disbursed to the student is less than the amount the student earned, and for which the student is otherwise eligible, he or she may be eligible to receive a postwithdrawal disbursement of the earned aid that was not received.

The Financial Aid Office will review the list of students who have fully withdrawn for a semester bi-weekly. The determination of withdrawn students is made by our Registrar's Office. The calculation will be performed and funds adjusted within 14 days of the notification of the student being withdrawn. The student will be notified by letter and email of the Return to Title IV Calculation. 

The mission of the University of West Georgia is to enable students, faculty, and staff to realize their full potential through academic engagement. As such, the University of West Georgia is committed to fairly and efficiently addressing appeals, grievances, and complaints.

The University of West Georgia Grievance Process and Appeals Resources

• The Student Handbook details complaint and appeal procedures including Civil Rights Grievance Procedures, the Procedure for Appeals of Grade Determination and Academic Dishonesty, Distance Education Appeal Procedures, and Appeals to the Board of Regents.
• The Office of the University Ombuds has been established to provide an accessible, informal channel of communication to facility non-adversarial means of dispute resolution and to promote conflict management and cooperation throughout the University community. The office will work to resolve concerns, complaints, and questions about University policies, procedures, and practices in a neutral, impartial, and confidential manner.
• Complaint resources regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination can accessed through the University’s Title IX Coordinator.

Additional Complaint and Appeals Resources

While the University of West Georgia diligently works to internally resolve all student complaints, a student who is aggrieved by a final decision of the President may appeal to The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents. Students may submit a complaint by submitting this legal affairs form, calling  (404) 962-3264, or via mail at the following address:

Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
270 Washington Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30334