Release of Education Records for Parents

With certain exceptions, Southern Methodist University may not release any personally identifiable information from a student’s education records to any third party (including parents) without written consent from the student. However, students may grant access to their education records to parents and others through the “Student Authorized Access” feature in my.SMU. At SMU, a student may choose to release all of their education records, restrict access to specified areas, or specifically deny access to a third-party.

If you do not already have an my.SMU account, then you will need to activate your account through the following steps.

Step 1: SMU Account Password Setup

In the initial email you received informing you that your student has allowed you to view or receive some or all of their education records at SMU, there is a link that will take you to the "SMU Set Account Password" page where you can authenticate your account.

Setting up your SMU account requires:

  1. SMU ID (or UserID): is listed in the initial email sent after your student has granted you access. If you misplaced that email, the student will be able to provide you with your SMU ID number.
  2. A PIN number: a 4 digit number that the student generates when creating a relation’s access. The student will be instructed to write down that number and give it to his relation. The PIN number will NOT be sent to you through email. It will be the student’s responsibility to inform you of that number.

Click here to authenticate your account.

If all the information is entered correctly, you will see a message stating the “Authentication Successful”. Click “Next” to Set Your Password.

Step 2: Set Your Password

Once you have successful authentication, you should click on the “Next” button and go to the "SMU ACCOUNT PASSWORD SET" page to create your password. This is the password you will always use when logging on to my.SMU. You must follow the password rules that are listed on the page.

After your password has been set, you will see the message “Your password has been set successfully”. You will then click on "Next" to enroll in the "Password Tool" so that you can manage your SMU account password.

Step 3: Password Reset Tool Enrollment

The password reset tool allows you to reset your password in the event that you have forgotten it or locked out your account. On that page, you will need to enter your SMU ID and password that you just created. Next you will be asked to select three questions of your choosing and provide accurate answers. You should choose questions to which  only you know the answers to. You will need to answer these questions again to reset your password or unlock your account. When complete, click “Next”.

Step 4: my.SMU

Now that you have activated your account, you will receive another email directing you to my.SMU. If you misplaced that email just open your browser go to http://my.smu.edu. Use your SMU ID (User ID) and your new password to login.

After you successfully login to my.SMU, click on the “Student Authorized Access” link to see a list of all students who have given you access to their education records. A student’s Education Records includes data both internal and external to my.SMU. Your Student Authorized Access allows you to view certain data via your account, and it also allows SMU faculty and staff to discuss areas granted to you by the student.

Please note that even though some records will be available on-line through my.SMU, other records will only be available by contacting the office holding the records. For education records contact information click here

Listed next to each student are the areas of access you have been granted. Below is a detailed explanation of the different "Areas of Access"

Financial Aid

If you have been granted access to a student’s Financial Aid information, within my.SMU you will be able to view financial aid awarded and accepted. You can also visit with SMU Enrollment Services staff about the student’s financial aid by calling 214-768-3417 or 800-323-0672, or emailing enrol_serv@smu.edu.

Within the Student Center, the “View Financial Aid” link will be active if you have been granted access. After clicking this link, if the student has data eligible to view, then click on the “Aid Year” link to view.

Note that financial aid can be viewed only if all processing is complete and the application status is active. Otherwise, inquiry access will be denied.

Holds

If you have been granted access to a student’s holds information, then within my.SMU you will be able to view any holds that are in place against the student’s account. You can also visit with SMU Enrollment Services staff about the student’s holds by calling 214-768-3417 or 800-323-0672, or emailing enrol_serv@smu.edu.

Within the Student Center, holds display in the upper right hand corner, in a shaded box. If you have access to holds, AND the student has at least one hold in place, then holds will be listed. You may click on link “details” for more information, and from there you may click another link for even more specific details, including instructions on the actions necessary to clear the hold.

All Disciplinary Records

If you have been granted access to a student's All Disciplinary Records, then you will need to contact the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office to discuss your student's Disciplinary Records/Information. No Disciplinary Records/Information is available through my.SMU. The Student Conduct and Community Standards Office is located in Hughes Trigg Student Center room 302, Tel: 214-768-4563.

Student Financials

If you have been granted access to a student’s Student Financials information, within my.SMU you will be able to view account balances and campus essentials. You can also visit with SMU Enrollment Services staff about the student’s account by calling 214-768-3417 or 800-323-0672, or emailing enrol_serv@smu.edu.

Within the Student Center, the “Account Summary” and “Campus Essentials” links will be active if you have been granted access.

“Account Summary” includes two different accounts. In the first, dark blue bar, there are scroll buttons for changing accounts. Balances are by term. In the second, dark blue bar, there are scroll buttons for changing terms.

“Campus Essentials” are optional fees. If the student is currently eligible to select Campus Essentials, then the categories will be listed and any selections displayed. A value of “please select” means the student has not made any choices.

Academic Records

If you have been granted access to a student’s academic records information, then within my.SMU you will be able to view class enrollments, grades, and an unofficial transcript. Information available outside of the system includes degree progress, class performance and academic advising. You can also visit with SMU staff about the student’s record by calling 214-768-3417 or 800-323-0672, or emailing enrol_serv@smu.edu

Within the Student Center, the “Class Schedule”, “Grades”, and “Unofficial Transcript” links will be active if you have been granted access.

Class Schedules can be viewed for students with current enrollment. After clicking the "Class Schedule" link, terms will be displayed if a student is currently enrolled. If a student is not currently enrolled, no terms will be displayed. Select a term and click the “Continue” button to view the classes.

Grades can be viewed for completed terms. After clicking on the “Grades” link, select a term and click the “Continue” button. The grades for that term will then be displayed.

Unofficial Transcript lists all courses of record for a student. After clicking the “Unofficial Transcript” link, you may need to select “Southern Methodist University” for Academic Institution and “Unofficial Stdnt Grade Transpt” for Report Type. Then click the “Go” button.

Where is my new SMU ID number (UserID)?

Once you have been granted access by a student then you will receive an email containing your SMU ID number, or UserID. You will need this UserID each time you logon to my.SMU. If you have misplaced that email, the student will have a record of your ID Number and can give you that information.

What is included in a student’s education records?

Please check the Education Records page on the FERPA website.

I don’t have a PIN Number, how do I receive one?

The student who authorized your access can provide your PIN Number.

What should I do if I cannot authenticate my account?

Check to ensure you have the correct ID number, PIN number, and the student’s birthday. The student can generate a new PIN Number by resetting your account.

What should I do if I have forgotten my password of if I have locked my account?

Upon account authentication, you should have enrolled in the Password Reset tool. To reset or change your password, or unlock your account, access the tool here: https://pwreset.smu.edu/

If you cannot resolve account issues, ask the student to reset your account.

What should I do if if my student is not able to reset my account?

If you have an account for any other reason (employee, student, more than one student has granted you access), then you must contact the ITS Help Desk (214-768-4357) to resolve account issues.

Suppose I am able to login with my account, but it doesn’t work correctly?

Contact SMU Enrollment Services at 214-768-3417 or 800-323-0672, or emailing enrol_serv@smu.edu.

Can I update my email or other contact information for this account?

Please submit your contact information changes to records@smu.edu.

If I do not have an email address, how do I get access?

As noted above, areas granted to you by a student can be accessed via my.SMU or in-person. A student may input their own email address as your email. You will not be able to view any of the email notifications, but you will be on record as having access to the areas granted by the student. The areas of access above lists contact information for gaining access outside of the system.

If you still have questions, please forward them to Enrollment Services at enrol_serv@smu.edu or call 214-768-3417 or 800-323-0672