Authorized User

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law designed to help protect the confidentiality, accuracy, and privacy of student educational information. When a student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights, under FERPA, transfer from the parents to the student. Additional information on FERPA is available on the Registrars web page.

Authorized user for payment and account information

Western Michigan University recognizes that families provide a great deal of financial and emotional support to our students. However, we must balance this recognition with the fact that WMU students are legally adults and their legal rights must be fully respected, particularly with concern to their privacy rights under FERPA. Therefore, WMU has made provision for students to grant access to third parties of their choosing. 

Two types of access are available – Authorized user for payment and account information (see below), and proxy access for academic and financial aid information. Proxy access information and management resides with the Registrar’s office. Having Proxy access does not grant a parent access to payment and account information, just as becoming an authorized user will not grant a parent or third-party access to financial aid or registration information.

Setting up an authorized user for payment and account information

Only students can grant access to parents or others by logging in to GoWMU with their Bronco NetID and password. After logging in:

1. Select the Payment and Account Information App.
2. Select Authorized Users under My Profile Setup.
3. Click on Add Authorized User.
4. Enter the email address of the person you have chosen to be an authorized user.
5. Indicate a Yes or No to each area you wish to allow or not allow access to this user.
6. Click the Continue button.
7. Read the agreement, and then check the I Agree box. Click Continue.
8. Once completed, you will receive the following message: Thank you. We have sent an email notification to this person.

The newly authorized user receives two email messages from @email. One with instructions to log in and a second with a temporary password. Authorized users must log in, change the temporary password, and enter their name to complete the authorized user process and gain access.

Login for authorized users

Authorized users for payment and account information can log in to their student's account through the authorized user website by entering their email and password.

Locked authorized user accounts

Authorized users should wait at least 1 hour to regain access to locked accounts. After waiting 1 hour, authorized users can return to the authorized user login page and request that a temporary password be emailed to them.  Select Forgot Password on the payment and account login screen.

Authorized users who are still having trouble after waiting 1 hour and resetting the password, may have a browser issue.  Please clear the cache on the current browser and/or try another browser. Enabling pop-ups may also be helpful.

Helpful instruction on clearing cache and cookies is available through the Technology Help Desk.

Authorized user email changes

Only a student can change an authorized user’s email account. The student will need to:

1. Login into GoWMU using their Bronco NetID and password.
2. Select the Payment and Account Information App.
3. Select the Authorized User link
4. Select the authorized user with the old email address and delete it.
5. The student can then add the authorized user back with the new email address.

The newly authorized user receives two email messages from @email. One with instructions to log in and a second with a temporary password. Authorized users must log in, change the temporary password, and enter their name to complete the authorized user process and gain access.

Questions

Please contact Bronco Express by calling (269) 387-6000 for additional information.