Academics
How can I get a copy of my student’s grades?
FERPA, or the Family Education Rights Privacy Act, is federal legislation that gives ownership of records to the student at the college level. The easiest way for parents to receive information about their student’s grades is for the student to provide it. Students can look up their academic transcript online, print it off and email a copy to their parents.
How does my student register for classes?
Registration takes place around the middle of the semester prior to the one in which your student plans to take classes. The process sets up their course schedule and reserves a place for your student in each of those classes. Your student will need to meet with their advisor to make sure they are staying on track. They will register for classes through SPIRE. More information here.
Where can my student get more information about study skills?
The Learning Resource Center provides all students resources to support their academic goals and realize their academic potential. To find a full list of the resources and programs the LRC provides, refer to their website.
Tuition and Billing Information
How do I view/pay my student’s tuition bill?
Find more information about how to view and pay your bill online on the Office of the Bursar website.
Who can I contact to learn more information about scholarships and financial aid?
Financial Aid Services can answer all questions related to scholarships and financial aid, loans and more! Find out more about Financial Aid Services and contact them by going to their website.
Tuition bills are typically available for viewing in SPIRE about 6-7 weeks before the start of the fall semester and 2-3 weeks before the start of the spring semester. The payment due date is usually due in mid-August for the fall semester and mid-February for the spring semester. Be sure to review the bill and pay or set up a payment plan by the due date to avoid late fees. For more information on billing and payments, please visit Office of the Bursar site.
Student Resources and Campus Life
Where can I learn more information about on-campus housing?
To learn more about on-campus housing at University of Massachusetts Amherst, please contact Residential Life.
Where can I learn more information about off-campus housing?
To learn more about off-campus housing at University of Massachusetts Amherst, please refer to the Off Campus Housing website. It offers a variety of information related to finding off-campus housing, leasing agreements, and how to be a good neighbor.
How can my student select a meal plan?
All information regarding meal plans including plan options, costs, and deadlines can be found on the UMass Dining website.
How does my student purchase a parking permit or learn more about parking and transportation?
All information regarding parking permits, PVTA bus routes, bicycles, and other sustainable transportation methods can be found on Parking & Transportation Services website.
Where do I find more information about attending athletic events?
Students: Student can attend any of the 200 home games on campus for free!
Families: Information regarding non-student tickets can be found through the UMass Athletics website.
Campus Health and Safety
Where can I find more information about campus safety at University of Massachusetts Amherst?
The University of Massachusetts considers the safety of its students, employees and visitors to be paramount. Find more information on UMass Amherst’s emergency preparedness umass.edu/emergency
What notifications are there to let students know of emergency situations on campus?
The UMass Amherst Emergency Alerts system is a multimethod campus-wide emergency alert system. As a family member of a UMass student, we encourage you to text UMassAlert to 78015 to receive emergency alert text messages indefinitely. You can find more information on the Emergency Management website.