Authorized User / Parent Proxy

Reasons to become an Authorized User and Parent Proxy today!

Can family members or a spouse call and get information on student accounts?

Not without a completed FERPA waiver. Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act West Texas A&M University is required to protect student's information regardless of relation to caller, as listed on The Office of the Registrar FERPA webpage.

Students may grant the Business Office permission to give information to specific persons by granting parent permission and access on Buff Advisor. Step by step instructions for the Parent Proxy are found on The Office of the Registrar's Services website. All questions pertaining to set up and access should be directed to The Office of the Registrar at 806.651.4911.

For web access to billing, students can add any Authorized User on their Touch-Net screens by entering the individual's email address. The individual will receive an email giving them instructions on how to set up their user name and password. Authorized Users will login directly to the Touch-Net system with their user name and password instead of going through Buff Advisor.

Can anyone pay on a student account?

Yes! In order to make payments on student accounts, Authorized User status must be granted by the student via the TouchNet/pay portal.  Payment can be made online using card or bank information (e-check.) E-checks used for payment to a student's account are the responsibility of the student. If a check is returned, the student will receive an account hold until the check amount and return fee are paid to the Business Office. 

WT does not accept student payments by phone.

Adding a Parent Proxy

This is used University wide so that we may assist you regarding your student. Your student can add you as a Parent Proxy by following the steps listed below:

1. Log into Buff Connect
2. Select Buff Advisor
3. To the very left you will see icons to click on. You will select User Options and then View/Add Proxy
4. Proceed with filling out the proxy information.
5. Access: You can select complete access or select the individual categories for that person to have access to.

Adding an Authorized User

Authorized user access is different from Proxy access. This access ties directly into our TouchNet payment system and only used by the Business and Finance Office. Here, you can view the student bill, payments made, enroll in payment plans or make payments on behalf of the student.

1. From Buff Advisor, select Student Finance
2. Select Make Payment/Payment Plan- this will take the student into TouchNet
3. Select Continue to Payment Center
4. To the very right, under “My Profile Setup”, select Authorized Users
5. Add Authorized User
6. Enter email address, and then the Authorized User should receive an email to complete set up