Frequently Asked Questions

The best practice is for your student and you to have an ongoing conversation about their progress in their courses, including any grades. However, your student is able to grant you access to their grades through their Howdy. For more information, go to our Parent and Family Guardian Access Tab.

Registration for classes for the following semester takes place around the middle of the semester prior. Some colleges require students to meet with their academic advisor prior to course registration, whereas others do not. However, it is a best practice for your student to talk to their academic advisor before registering for classes. They will register for courses through the Howdy Portal in the Aggie Schedule Builder.

The Academic Success Center (ASC) at Texas A&M University offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to help students achieve their academic goals. These services include tutoring for specific courses and subject areas, Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions led by peer leaders to enhance understanding of challenging courses, and success coaching to develop effective study strategies and time management skills. Additionally, the ASC provides workshops and presentations on topics such as note-taking, exam preparation, and goal setting. Students can also access a variety of study and learning handouts to support their academic journey. By utilizing these resources, Aggies can enhance their learning experience and reach their full academic potential. Learn more about the Academic Success Center by going to https://asc.tamu.edu/.

Whether your student is just starting college, preparing to graduate, or anywhere in between, their advisor helps them define and achieve their academic goals. Encourage your student to meet with their academic advisor at least once a semester—more often if needed. Advisors provide guidance on course selection, degree planning, and meeting graduation requirements. They also help students explore different majors, connect with campus resources, and plan for their future careers. If your student is unsure who their advisor is, they can find this information here: Office for Student Success – Find My Advisor (tamu.edu).

If your student is considering changing their major, encourage them to refer to the information highlighted on the Undergraduate Studies Change of Major website. Students must submit a change of major request through the Howdy Portal and meet criteria such as GPA thresholds, completed coursework, and credit hour limits. Change of major requests are only accepted during designated application periods, which occur at different times depending on the college or department. Some programs may have limited availability or competitive entry. It’s important for students to review the requirements and deadlines for their desired major and consult with an academic advisor early to ensure a smooth transition. Encouraging your student to stay informed and proactive can help them successfully navigate this process.

To learn more about on-campus housing at Texas A&M, please contact the Housing Assignments Office within the Department of Residence Life.

Student Life’s Off Campus Student Services is here to support your off-campus living Aggie! Through resources, such as AggieSearch, find information related to finding off-campus housing,  a roommate contract template, and more!  To access the full range of features, students should create an Affiliate account using their Texas A&M email address.

A student can select or purchase a meal plan through their Meal Plan Portal.  Texas A&M University offers a variety of meal plans to accommodate students’ dining needs and preferences. These plans are designed to provide flexibility and convenience, ensuring students have access to nutritious meals throughout the semester. Options range from unlimited meal swipes to plans with a set number of meals per week, often accompanied by Dining Dollars that can be used at various campus dining locations. It’s important to note that students living on campus are typically required to have a meal plan. A helpful resource is Aggie Dining’s website on Meal Plans 101.

At Texas A&M University, students can purchase parking permits through the Transportation Services’ online portal. The annual permit registration typically opens in April and closes in July. During this period, students should log into their “My Account” on the Transportation Services website to select their preferred parking areas, provide vehicle license plate information, choose a payment method, and submit their request. It’s important to note that registering earlier within this window does not confer any advantage, as all applications submitted by the deadline are processed according to the university’s parking priority policy. If your student misses the initial registration deadline, they can still purchase available permits online starting August 1.

Additionally, they have the option to add themselves to waitlists for preferred lots that may be full. Night and Motorcycle permits are always available and can also be purchased online beginning August 1. Encourage your student to regularly check their “My Account” portal for updates on permit availability and waitlist status.

Texas A&M University offers a variety of sustainable transportation options to support eco-friendly travel for students, faculty, and staff. The AggieSpirit bus service provides free on- and off-campus routes, facilitating convenient and environmentally conscious commuting. The university promotes bike usage for those interested in cycling through services like the VeoRide Bike Share program, bicycle registration, and maintenance stations. Additionally, the Bicycle Concierge Program offers personalized assistance to help individuals achieve their cycling goals, whether they’re new to biking or seasoned riders. Learn more about Sustainable Transportation.

All Texas A&M students are eligible to purchase a Sport Pass; however, quantity is limited and expected to sell out. Find more information about how your student can purchase their Sports Pass through the 12th Man Foundation Website.

Information regarding non-student ticket options can be found through the 12th Man Foundation Website. A helpful resource to prepare for Gameday is Texas A&M Athletic’s Gameday Central website, which highlights how to prepare, a timeline of events, and what to expect.

Texas A&M University is home to over 1,300 student organizations. Whether your student is looking to get involved in an organization to network with peers in similar majors and career paths, or if they are looking to find peers with similar interests, encourage them to contact Student Activities to learn more about Student Organizations and other ways to get involved at Texas A&M.

If you have a concern about your student’s mental or physical well-being that requires immediate attention, contact 911.

The Tell Somebody Report is a report for anyone in Texas A&M University community, including parents or family members, to submit a concern. If you don’t know whether to be concerned about a student’s behavior, contact the Student Life at 979-845-3111.

You can learn more about the University Police Department through their website at: https://upd.tamu.edu/pages/home.aspx. Additionally, you can find more information about Emergency Preparedness at Texas A&M by going to https://www.tamu.edu/emergency/index.html.

Code Maroon is Texas A&M’s campus-wide emergency alert system. As a family member of a Texas A&M student, we encourage you to download the Code Maroon app to your phone to get any emergency alerts that Texas A&M sends out. You can find more information on the Code Maroon website.

University Health Services empowers Texas A&M students through integrated care that supports their physical and mental health. As part of Texas A&M Health—the university’s comprehensive health science center—our clinicians provide the highest level of care in medicine, counseling, psychology and emergency medical services that fosters students’ academic, personal and professional success. Your student can make an appointment through their Appointment Portal. You can learn more about University Health Services at:https://uhs.tamu.edu/.

It is not required for students to submit a Medical Power of Attorney or a Medical Release Form. In the event your student is medically incapacitated, the university will contact the emergency contact the student has on file. However, you can find the above forms through the Student Life website, under “Legal Concerns” at https://studentlife.tamu.edu/support/.

We know it can be challenging to approach conversations with your student about alcohol. A good starting point can be the “Parent Handbook for Talking with College Students about Alcohol,” listed under resources on our website.