U. North Alabama has made paying for tuition faster and easier for parents. “Before, students and parents had to go from office to office to fill out and sign papers for parents to be able to access the student’s account.” stated Dr. Sue Wilson, Dean of Enrollment Services. Now UNA has moved this procedure on-line to simplify the process.

So what does this mean to the enrolled student at UNA? Students, parents and even employers who are paying for the students schooling can log on at any time and make a payment toward the current bill.

Adeyemi Adewolu, a nursing student from Nigeria, feels that this has made it more convenient for students. He said, “I think it is useful because as an international student, I’m out of the country and I need to pay my tuition. The added person to my account should be able to do that.” And they can.

Students can login through their una-portal and enter the Self Service Banner, click Student, then Student Account. The account summary will take the student to the UNA Student Account Suite. When adding an Authorized User the student has the options of allowing the User to view their billing statements and/or payment history. The new Authorized User should receive confirmation emails immediately and be able to log in through the UNA website and contribute funds toward the student’s bill. Afterwards students can log in to view payments made by their Authorized User. Students can also delete users and make changes to what current users can view in their account.

“We are pleased that we were able to automate the process so it would make it more useful to students and parents.” said Wilson.

According to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) a third party cannot gain access to a student’s educational records, including financial records, without the student’s written consent once the student reaches 18 or if the student is enrolled in a postsecondary school. FERPA only applies to schools that receive funds from the U.S. Department of Education. It was established in 1974 for the benefit of parent’s and student’s privacy rights.

Parents of college students cannot have access to students’ financial records unless the students have given written consent, or if the students are still considered a dependent. The parents can have access to the students’ records for income tax purposes.

For more information about Student Accounts or adding an Authorized User please contact the UNA Business Office via email Student_Accounts@una.edu or by phone at 256-765-4441.