Consumer Information

Find information and notices regarding institutional policies, reporting data, health and safety, and regulations below.

Academic Programs and Accreditation

Admissions/Readmission and Transfer Policies

Complaints

UIW encourages students to address any complaints directly with the office(s) involved or by contacting the specific office(s) below related to the complaint.

  • Billing disputes:
  • Financial Aid disputes:
    • Office of Financial Assistance, (210) 829-6008, finaid@uiwtx.edu, Attn: Cristen Alicea
  • Grade/Faculty disputes:
    • Undergraduates: Student Success at (210) 829-3005, Attn: Dean Ayala Jimenez
    • Graduates: Graduate Studies and Research at (210) 805-3555
  • Title IX disputes:

Students who wish to log their complaint directly with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) may do so at the THECB site. Students may also direct complaints about Financial Aid directly to the Dept. of Education.

The Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) handles any incidents of potential discrimination against students. Information on how to protect students or report a potential incident may be found at OCR's website. View a video describing how to file a complaint here.

Constitution Day

UIW will commemorate Constitution and Patriot Day 2024 on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Campus Life will partner with Campus Engagement, First Year Engagement, and the Campus Activities Board for the event.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westgate Circle, students can explore our American-style Mercado showcase, take photos with patriotic USA-themed décor, and enjoy various activities. Mini constitutions, American-made products, American flags, voter registration forms, and constitution-themed crossword puzzles will also be distributed or available to students.

Copyright Issues

Fraud Policy

In order to protect the integrity of its federal Title IV, State of Texas, and institutional financial aid programs, UIW complies with all existing statutory and regulatory requirements to disburse aid only to eligible students, identify and resolve discrepancies in student information, ensure all requirements regarding the regulatory definition of “regular students” status are met, and report any suspected fraud to the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education. To that end, UIW actively monitors, reviews and reports any suspected behavior or activity to fraudulently secure financial aid funds. View the full fraud policy below.

Institutional Data

Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Privacy Act Information

Additional Institutional Information

Campus Safety

Financial Aid Policies and Regulations

Military-Related Financial Aid Policies and Regulations

UIW proudly follows the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003 when making financial aid judgments for covered individuals. Affected students should contact the Office of Financial Assistance to discuss options.

Iraq-Afghanistan Service Grant Information

Drug Convictions and Title IV Aid

In accordance with federal regulations regarding the administration of Title IV funds, the Office of Financial Assistance is required to notify every enrolled student of these consequences, even if the student is not currently pursuing federal aid.

A federal or state drug conviction can disqualify a student for Title IV funds. A conviction will only disqualify a student for funding if the offense occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV aid. Also, convictions that are reversed, set aside or removed from a student's record do not count, nor does any conviction received while the student was a juvenile, unless they were tried as an adult.

If you have been convicted of selling or possessing illegal drugs as previously described, you cannot be awarded Title IV aid. The chart below outlines the periods of ineligibility for Title IV funding, depending on whether the conviction was for sale or possession and whether the student had previous offenses.

Drug Convictions Information
Offense Possession of Illegal Drugs Sale of Illegal Drugs
1st One year from date of conviction Two years from date of conviction
2nd Two years from date of conviction Indefinite period
3rd+ Indefinite period  

Reference: Federal Regulation 34 CFR 668.40

Referral of Fraud Cases

A school must refer to the Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG):

  • Any credible information indicating that an applicant for federal student aid may have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with their application.
  • Any credible information indicating that any employee, third-party servicer or other agent of the institution that acts in a capacity that involves the administration of the Title IV, HEA programs or the receipt of funds under those programs, may have engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, conversion or breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other illegal conduct involving the Title IV, HEA programs.

Common misconduct when applying for aid includes: false claims of independent student status, false claims of citizenship, use of false identities, forgery of signatures or certifications, and false statements of income. For these purposes, fraud is the intent to deceive as opposed to a mistake.

The UIW Office of Financial Assistance will report suspected cases of fraud to the OIG as is required by 34 CFR 668.16.

Note: Not all cases filed with the OIG will generate an investigation, audit or inspection by the OIG. Matters may be referred to another office within the U.S. Department of Education or to an external entity as appropriate.