Chapter 3 | Student Support Services and Policies
3.1 Computer Services
Office of Information Technology
Location: Salmon Library
Phone: (256) 824-3333
Email: helpdesk@uah.edu
Student email and other system accounts are automatically generated for all enrolled students at the beginning of each semester. Before using their email account, students must read the policies regarding Computer Use, Email, and ResNet in the Policies section of the OIT website.
3.2 Office of Financial Aid
Location: Student Services Building, Suite 124
Phone: (256) 824-6650
Email: finaid@uah.edu
www.uah.edu/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid
The Office of Financial Aid assists students in finding the resources necessary to help fund their education at UAH. Through scholarships, grants, student loans, and work study, the office helps students meet their financial needs while enrolled.
These principles for the Financial Aid Program have been adopted:
1. The primary purpose of the Financial Aid Program is to provide financial assistance to students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend UAH.
2. Financial assistance consists of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment, which may be offered to students in various combinations or on a separate basis.
3. The family of a student is expected to make a maximum effort to assist the student with college expenses. Financial assistance from the University is viewed only as supplementary to the efforts of the student and the family.
4. In selecting students to receive financial assistance, the University shall place primary emphasis upon need, character, future promise, and academic achievement.
5. A student who seeks financial aid shall provide a reasonable part of the total amount required to meet college costs.
6. The total amount of financial assistance offered a student by the University shall not exceed the financial aid Cost of Attendance.
All students who apply for financial aid at UAH must meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a regular degree-seeking program
2. Have U.S. citizenship or be an eligible non-citizen
3. Maintain satisfactory academic progress
4. Be enrolled at least half-time (with certain exceptions)
5. Not be in default on a student loan or owe a repayment of a grant at UAH or other institution
6. Register with the Selective Service, if required
UAH offers a variety of financial aid from the following types of programs:
1. Grants – Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, and State Grant. Funds awarded to a student from these programs need not be repaid.
2. Federal Loans – Federal Direct Loans and PLUS Loans. Loan funds awarded to a student or parent from these programs must be repaid.
3. Scholarships (Academic and Co-Curricular) – Institutional scholarships and endowed scholarships awarded on the basis of academic merit or financial need or both. Students should apply by the published deadlines for the following academic year. Each scholarship will have differing qualifications.
4.Scholarships (Athletic) – Institutional scholarships for varying amounts are available for men and women. Contact the Athletic Department for additional information.
5. Work Study Programs – Jobs are available to students on a part-time basis. Students work from 10 to 29 hours per week under the Federal Work Study Program.
Applications for student aid should be filed before the priority deadline for the upcoming school year. No award implies automatic renewal; a new application must be submitted by the deadline each year.
The State of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs also provides educational assistance to qualifying dependents of disabled or deceased veterans. Information regarding this program may be obtained online at https://va.alabama.gov/dependents-scholarship/
3.3 Health Services
3.3.1 Student Health Center
Location: Wilson Hall, room 325
Phone: (256) 824-6775
Email: shc@uah.edu
Clinic Health Portal: uahportal.pointclick.com
The Student Health Center is an on-campus primary care clinic providing services to all students currently enrolled for at least 3 semester hours. Immunization services are also available to students who have been officially admitted to the university. Services include treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, preventive health services, health counseling, laboratory testing, immunizations, and an annual flu shot clinic. The Student Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students are seen by appointment.
3.3.2 On-Campus Accidents And Injuries
In case of an accident or mishap on campus resulting in an injury, the UAH Police Department should be notified immediately. The UAH police officer dispatched to the scene can administer first aid, if necessary, and assist medical first responders if it is necessary to transport an individual to a medical treatment facility.
In general, the university does not assume the responsibility of transporting an injured party to a treatment facility. Injuries and accidents should be documented in the UAH Police Department using the accident report form.
3.3.3 Communicable Diseases Policy
https://www.uah.edu/policies/02-01-51-communicable-disease-policy
3.3.4 Student Health and Dental Insurance
https://www.uah.edu/health-and-wellness/student-insurance-plan
UAH is committed to the health and wellness of our student population. To that end there is a commercial insurance plan available for UAH students and their dependents. The purpose of this plan is to relieve students and parents of possible financial strain in the event of major illnesses or injuries. Students taking six or more credit hours are eligible to enroll in the plan. International students who are actively pursuing a degree and hold J1 and F1 visas, including co-ops, are enrolled in the plan on a mandatory basis. Graduate students awarded full and partial assistantships are also eligible to enroll in the plan. The university also makes available options for dental and vision plans for students and their dependents.
3.3.5 Counseling Center
Location: Conference Training Center (CTC), suite 118
Phone: (256) 824-6203
https://www.uah.edu/counseling-center
The Counseling Center at UAH provides specialized professional services designed to support students, undergraduate and graduate, achieve academic success and personal growth through quality brief counseling. Although much learning in college occurs in the classroom, there is also a great deal of learning that occurs outside the classroom. In counseling, the learning is about yourself, who you really are and where you are going with your life, how to develop new skills, or how to resolve or cope with internal or interpersonal conflicts. Counseling can help renew a sense of active engagement in learning and life. Issues may include adjustment to college, stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, motivation, family issues, identity concerns, and several other areas of focus.
The staff has a commitment to meeting the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Services are confidential and provided in accordance with the ethical guidelines of the counselor’s respective license. To schedule an appointment, students may contact the Counseling Center between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
3.3.6 Disability Support Services
Location: Wilson Hall, room 128
Phone: (256) 824-1997
The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one of more major life activities. Major life activities can include but are not limited to walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Disability Support Services provides access and support to UAH students with documented disabilities. We work with students, faculty, and administrators to coordinate reasonable accommodations so that students may access their education.
Accommodations in higher education vary from high school and do not follow students as they enter college. If you are interested in obtaining accommodations and believe you may be eligible, go to uah.edu/dss to start the process. Complete our application and upload your doctor's letter or test results documenting your diagnosis, functional impairments, and any recommendations they may have. Next, schedule an intake appointment. The intake is an interactive process where we work together to identify potential barriers, devise a plan to reduce those barriers, and determine reasonable accommodations going forward. Accommodations are not retroactive and begin once all requirements are met. Accommodations must be activated each semester that a student desires them. They cannot change the academic integrity of the university at large or an individual course.
3.4 University Housing and Residence Life
Location: 601 John Wright Drive
Phone: (256) 824-6108
UAH offers seven different residential communities to meet the needs of its student population: Bevill Center (BEV), Central Campus Residence Hall (CCH), Frank Franz Residence Hall (FFH), North Campus Residence Hall (NCH), Southeast Campus Housing (SCH), the Fraternity/Sorority Houses (FSO), and Charger Village (CGV). Living on campus is an important part of student development. University Housing strives to encourage and promote individual growth and community awareness in resident students. University Housing is administered by the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Executive Director of Housing & Residence Life.
Professional staff members include Assistant Directors and Resident Directors (RDs). The RDs reside in their respective residence halls, along with their individual staffs of Resident Assistants (RAs). RAs develop activities and programs for resident students and are thoroughly trained to provide assistance to their residents in all aspects of their college experience. RAs help create a residential community that contributes to effective academic and social education. Anyone who has been admitted to UAH as a student is eligible for on-campus housing. Assignment priority is based upon the date of receipt of housing application and receipt of the commitment and application fee. Housing charges are due when tuition is due each academic term. Current rates are available online. Housing tours may be arranged by appointment through the Admissions Office.
All full-time first year students who graduated high school within the preceding twelve (12) months and have a permanent legal residence beyond a thirty (30) mile radius from campus are required to live in the campus residence halls for the entire academic year. (For more information, please refer to the following University policy:
Please review the Resident Handbook online at https://www.uah.edu/images/housing/resident_handbook_2024_25.pdf
3.5 Library
Location: M. Louis Salmon Library
Phone: User Services Desk (256) 824-6530
Email: library@uah.edu
The Salmon Library offers numerous pertinent collections of books, e-books, scholarly journals, magazines, trade journals, data and statistics, market reports, dissertations, streaming educational videos, government documents, special collections, and other media. With these resources and other services, the Library supports the teaching and research mission in the arts and humanities, business, education, nursing, engineering, science, and social sciences. The Library’s physical assets include modern study and collaboration spaces, new study seating, storage lockers, study rooms, scanning stations, and printing kiosks. The Library also provides Research Help, Archives and Special Collections and Digital Initiatives, Interlibrary Loan, a MultiMaker Lab, a Digital Initiatives Lab, a Recording and Presentation Practice Room, an Institutional Repository, and more. The Library’s new MultiMaker Lab offers equipment such as 3D printers, a Glowforge laser printer, a 3-D scanner, a sewing/embroidery machine, and computers with multimedia and CAD software for in-lab use, as well as cameras, microphones, and presentation equipment for checkout.
Other campus resources located in the Library include the Student Success Center, the Office of Information Technology Help Desk, a coffee shop, and an art gallery. UAH librarians actively collaborate with university faculty and students to influence student success; this is done in several ways - through class visits (in the classroom or online), hosted workshops, one-on-one student consultations, and other synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. Students have multiple ways to reach librarians: in person, by email, phone, text message, chat, etc. A Library Student Advisory Group works with Library leadership to provide feedback on services and offerings. Over 200 computer workstations are supported, with laptops, iPads, and other technology available for borrowing. Numerous student-oriented events are hosted throughout the year. Information about the Library’s services, offerings, and events is available at www.uah.edu/library. A valid UAH ID is required to use Library materials and resources.
3.6 Early Learning Center
Location: 4503 University Dr NW
Phone: (256) 824-4750
www.uah.edu/early-learning-center
The UAH Early Learning Center is a blend of best practices from early childhood education, child development, early childhood special education, and integrated therapy intended to give all children a firm foundation for their future. The learning environment is designed to promote and allow for multidimensional growth: socially, cognitively, physically, and emotionally.
The UAH Early Learning Center is comprised of the UAH Rise School, Office of School Readiness 4-year-old grant classrooms, Early Head Start and Head Start Classrooms.
We provide year-round services, with some scheduled breaks. We are aligned as closely as possible with the calendars of both the local school systems and UAH. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Before-School Care and After-School Care (until 5:30) is offered for an additional monthly fee.
The UAH Early Learning Center is supported by gifts and grants from individuals, foundations and corporations, tuition, and UAH as a community outreach center for the College of Education.
3.7 Police Department
Location: Intermodal Parking Facility (IMF)
Non-emergency (256) 824-6596
Emergency (256) 824-6911
Facebook: www.facebook.com/uahpd
Instagram: @UAHpolice
The UAH Police Department is staffed by professional law enforcement personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help protect and assist the UAH campus community, especially the student body. UAH police officers are state law enforcement officers enforcing federal, state, and local statutes as well as UAH regulations. The Police Department also provides a number of student services, including assisting motorists, maintaining a lost & found, and conducting crime prevention programs. It is the goal of the UAH Police Department to support the community by maintaining a reasonably safe and secure environment.
3.8 Vending
Location: Charger Union, room 131
Phone: (256) 824-2720
Soft drinks and snacks are offered campus-wide in vending machines. The selections in the machines have been established by sales history; however, suggestions for new products are always welcome. Refunds are also given for lost money. Please fill out the Vending Machine Issue Report Form regarding lost money. Both product suggestions and refund requests should be brought to Charger Union, room 131.
3.9 Military & Veterans Programs
Location: Student Services Building, room 119
Phone: (256) 824-2758
Email: vacontact@uah.edu
The Veterans Services Office, located within the Dean of Students Suite at UAH, is the certifying authority for Veterans, service members, and their dependents. The office assists these students in pursuing educational, professional, and vocational objectives by certifying enrollment for the Veterans Administration (VA), answering general questions about Veteran benefits, and monitoring student degree plans and academic progress.
Students who receive Veteran educational benefits are required to account for payment of all tuition and billing charges by the payment deadlines applicable to all students.
Once certification of enrollment and all subsequent processing has occurred, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines the eligibility of individuals for veterans’ educational benefits and approves or denies payment of benefits. It is the student’s responsibility to remain in good standing with the University to respond to notification of changes in regulations, and to make satisfactory progress toward the completion of a degree.
Instructions to utilize Veteran benefits at UAH are listed on the office website. For information regarding individual benefit eligibility, please consult the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website http://www.va.gov, or call the VA Regional Office at 1-888-442-4551 to speak to a counselor.
3.9.1 Student Veterans Association & Veterans Lounge
Location: Charger Union, room 216
Phone: (256) 824-2758
www.uah.edu/student-affairs/resources-for-veterans
UAH has established the UAH Student Veterans Association to provide veterans an opportunity to share their experiences, support, and assistance to each other as they pursue their academic goals. It also provides an avenue to disperse information to its members and serve as an advocate for veterans on campus. Throughout the academic year, special seminars of topical interest are conducted which are designed to meet the needs of our veterans.
The Veterans Lounge is open to all Veterans on Campus. Students need to visit the Military and Veterans Programs Office to receive access.
3.10 Use of Outdoors Areas of Campus and Use of Facilities policies
In compliance with HB 498 which became effective July 1, 2020, UAH has established two policies:
Violations of these policies should be reported through the normal code of conduct procedures. Please process through Charger 360 with a policy violation reference.