Welcome Parents!

The Moody College of Communication believes that the parents have an essential role of support for their student. We encourage our parents to be active in their student's college experience but at the same time allow them to grow and develop into self-advocates. This website is designed to give you, as the parent, the tools and resources to make your transition as easy as possible.

A Note on FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act prohibits University employees, including our Academic Advisors, Deans, or staff members, from providing academic information to anyone other than the student without the student's permission. For instance, grades cannot be released to parents, so we encourage our students to keep their parents updated on how they are doing in their coursework throughout each semester. The Registrar's Office has more specific details about FERPA and what information you, as a parent, may access about your son or daughter.

Your son or daughter can sign up for the University's eProxy service, which will allow you to access certain parts of their academic record.

How Parents Can Be Involved  

Orientation

Once your son or daughter has been admitted to the University of Texas they will need to attend one of six Orientation Programs offered in June and July. We encourage you to sign up and attend the Family Orientation program offered at the same time. This is a great opportunity to be introduced to the University and get additional information about the experience your son or daughter will have here. Morning sessions offered include sessions about the academic colleges and academic expectations of new students. In the afternoon, families can choose between more than ten sessions covering an array of valuable topics.

Texas Parents

A great way to get involved with the University is to join Texas Parents, the Parents' Association of The University of Texas at Austin. By joining Texas Parents, you can stay informed of important dates and events that impact you and your student and be a part of the Longhorn community. Take a look at the Texas Parents website for more information.

Family Weekend

Each October, Texas Parents sponsors Family Weekend on campus. This is a wonderful opportunity to come to campus and let your student show you around. The Moody College of Communication has a program during the weekend to showcase our programs, staff, and faculty.

Honors Day

Each spring the Moody College of Communication celebrates the accomplishments of our most outstanding students with our invitation-only Honors Day program. At this event, we recognize not only the accomplishments of our best and brightest students, but also the parents who have supported them and encouraged them to succeed.

The University also hosts a larger Honors Day Ceremony.

Graduation

We want our students' families to be here to celebrate with them when they graduate. There are College of Communication graduation ceremonies in both spring and fall semesters, and a larger University-wide commencement each May.

Parent and Family Resources

Role of the Advisor

Your son or daughter will be assigned an Academic Advisor in the Moody College of Communication, and in most cases this advisor will work with your student throughout their time at UT. Our advisors are professionals who can work with your student on degree requirements, academic planning, and many other situations. Academic advising provides the opportunity for students to be proactive and take advantage of all their educational options.

Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCCAL)

The Behavior Concerns Advice Line is a phone-in service that provides The University of Texas at Austin's faculty, students, and staff an opportunity to discuss their concerns about another individual's behavior. This service is a partnership among the Office of the Dean of Students, the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).

Trained staff members will assist the caller in exploring available options and strategies. They will also provide appropriate guidance and resource referrals to address the particular situation. Visit their website  or call 512-232-5050.

Suggested Reading

Almost Grown: Launching Your Child from High School to College by Patricia Pasick

Don't Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money: The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years by Helen E. Johnson and Christine Schelhas-Miller

I'll Miss You Too: An Off-to-College Guide for Parents and Students by Margo E. Woodacre Bane and Steffany Bane

Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years (Fifth edition) by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger

You're On Your Own (But I'm Here if You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years by Marjorie Savage

Funding Options

Scholarships

Future freshmen should apply for University scholarships from the Office of Student Financial Services. All of the Moody College of Communication's scholarships for incoming freshmen are available through that application. The College of Communication and OSFS offer scholarships to continuing students through applications that are available each spring.

In addition, the Moody College of Communication posts opportunities for scholarships on the UT Communication Scholarship Facebook group.

Financial Aid

The Office of Student Financial Services offers students loans, grants, and college work-study programs. OSFS uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine a student's eligibility for all financial aid options. Each student who applies for financial aid is assigned a counselor who will handle their need analysis, award packaging, and funds distribution throughout their time here at the University.