If your parent cannot view your tuition bill, or the financial aid office cannot discuss your records with them due to FERPA, proxy access offers a solution. Instead of sharing your login information, you can add them as an authorized proxy in ConnectCarolina. This grants them secure access only to the information you choose.

This guide details the process of adding a proxy, setting permissions, and the steps your proxy needs to take for account activation. The entire process follows UNC’s Proxy Access flow, including an activation link, a temporary action password, and specific permission categories. The student setup takes 5-10 minutes, and proxy activation takes 3-5 minutes.

Quick Steps: Add an Authorized Proxy in ConnectCarolina

Time needed: 5-10 minutes (student) + 3-5 minutes (proxy activation)

  1. Log into ConnectCarolina with your ONYEN.
  2. Open Student Center and navigate to Proxy Access or Authorized Users.
  3. Add the proxy’s full name and email address.
  4. Select the categories they can access (finances, tax information, academic records).
  5. Save and send the invitation email.
  6. Confirm the proxy activates their account using the activation link and temporary action password.
  7. Test access from the proxy portal and adjust permissions if needed.

Before You Start (2-Minute Prep)

Prepare these three items before you open ConnectCarolina:

  • Confirm the proxy’s best email address , this is where the activation link will be sent.
  • Use a laptop. ConnectCarolina menus are easier to find on a full browser than on mobile.
  • Know what you want to share , Decide in advance if you want to share billing only, billing plus 1098-T, or academic information.

FERPA reminder: Proxy access is the correct, legal method to share your records. Do not share your ONYEN password. This is a FERPA violation and a security risk; follow sysadmin best practices for credential handling.

Step-by-Step: Add Someone as a Proxy in ConnectCarolina

1. Sign In to ConnectCarolina

  1. Go to the UNC ConnectCarolina login page: https://connectcarolina.unc.edu/index.html.
  2. Enter your ONYEN and password.
  3. Complete any two-factor authentication if prompted.

UNC ConnectCarolina login screen with ONYEN field highlighted

Note: Never share your ONYEN password. Proxy access is designed to eliminate this need.

2. Open the Proxy Management Area

  1. From the homepage, select the Student Center tile.
  2. In the Student Center, locate and click Proxy Access or Authorized Users in the left-hand navigation menu.

ConnectCarolina Student Center with Proxy Access link highlighted

Also called: The current portal version may display this as “Authorized Users” or “Proxy Management.” Refer to these terms if “Proxy Access” is not immediately visible.

3. Add the Proxy’s Contact Details

  1. Click Add Proxy (or the equivalent button).
  2. Enter the proxy’s first name, last name, and email address.
  3. Double-check the email address. An incorrect email will prevent them from receiving the activation link.

Add proxy form with name and email fields

Consider this: Use an email address only the proxy can access. A shared family inbox is acceptable if it’s not your personal email.

4. Choose Exactly What the Proxy Can See

  1. Select the specific permission categories you want to grant.
  2. Leave anything unchecked that you do not want them to see.
  3. Save the permission settings.
Permission Category What It Includes Best For Privacy Tip
Student Finances Billing statements, payments, refunds Parent paying tuition Share this if they manage payments.
Tax Information 1098-T forms Tax filer in the household Only relevant around tax season.
Academic Records Grades, transcripts, enrollment status Academic monitoring Only share if genuinely necessary.

Granular access allows you to share only what is needed, rather than providing access to all records.

Permission Options for Proxies: minimalist infographic showing three side-by-side blocks labeled Student Finances, Tax Information, and Academic Records with the title 'Permission Options for Proxies' at the top.

5. Send the Invitation Email

  1. Click to send the proxy invitation.
  2. Confirm the proxy appears with a “Invited” or similar pending status in your portal.

ConnectCarolina proxy invitation confirmation screen

Once sent, the proxy will receive an automatically generated email. The subject line is often similar to “New proxy identity” or “Proxy Access Invitation”. This email contains two essential items: an activation link and a temporary action password.

What the Proxy Does Next (Activation Walkthrough)

You may forward this section to your parent or guardian.

1. Open the Invitation Email and Find the Two Key Items

  1. Open the email from UNC. The subject line will be similar to “New proxy identity” or “Proxy Access Invitation”. The email often originates from an institutional mailbox or automated system.
  2. Locate the Proxy Access Activation Link. This link is unique to your activation.
  3. Locate the Temporary Action Password (sometimes labeled “Action Password” or “one-time code”).

Mock layout of proxy invitation email showing activation link and temporary action password fields

Check your spam/junk folder if the email does not appear in your inbox within a few minutes.

2. Activate the Proxy Account

  1. Click the Proxy Access Activation Link provided in the email.
  2. On the activation page, enter the Temporary Action Password from the email.
  3. Submit and continue.

Proxy activation page with Temporary Action Password field indicated

Tip: Copy and paste the Temporary Action Password directly from the email to avoid typing errors.

3. Create Proxy Login Credentials

  1. Create a new password that meets the on-screen requirements.
    • Typical password requirements include: A minimum of 12-15 characters, often requiring a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Institutions may set their own specific minimums.
  2. Complete any additional security fields shown, such as a PIN, passphrase, or security prompts.
  3. Save and finish the setup.

Password creation screen for proxy account
Proxy account setup confirmation screen

Safety tip: Use a unique password. Do not reuse passwords from other personal accounts; for device-level security guidance, see Microsoft’s Windows Security Baselines.

4. Sign In and Confirm Access Works

  1. Sign in to the Proxy Access portal using the new credentials you just created. The specific URL for the Proxy Access portal is typically found during the activation process or on the UNC system’s proxy information pages.
  2. Select the student if prompted.
  3. Open the shared sections (finances, tax information, academics) to confirm you can see what the student authorized.

Proxy portal login screen
Proxy portal landing page after sign-in
Example of Student Finances section visible to proxy

What you can see depends entirely on what the student chose to share. If a section is missing, ask the student to update your permissions.

How to Edit, Pause, or Remove Proxy Access

1. Change What a Proxy Can Access

  1. Return to Proxy Access in ConnectCarolina.
  2. Select the proxy whose permissions you want to update.
  3. Toggle the permission categories on or off.
  4. Save changes.

Permission edit screen in ConnectCarolina Proxy Access

Changes typically take effect immediately after saving.

2. Remove a Proxy Completely

  1. Open the proxy’s profile in the Proxy Access section.
  2. Select Remove or Revoke Access.
  3. Confirm the removal.

Revoke proxy access confirmation screen

Once revoked, the proxy no longer has authorized access to any part of your student records and cannot view anything going forward.

Common Problems and Quick Fixes

Proxy Didn’t Get the Email

  1. Return to ConnectCarolina and re-check the email address entered; even one wrong character can prevent delivery.
  2. Ask the proxy to search their inbox for “proxy” and check their spam or junk folder.
  3. If the system offers a Resend option, use it. If not, remove the proxy entry and add them again with the correct email address.

Activation Page Rejects the Temporary Action Password

  1. Copy and paste the password directly from the email instead of typing it manually.
  2. Use the activation link from the same email; do not use a saved link or bookmark.
  3. If it still fails, restart the invitation process by removing and re-adding the proxy in ConnectCarolina.

Proxy Can Log In but Can’t See the Right Section

  1. Verify that you selected the correct permission category during the proxy setup. Student finances, tax information, and academic records are separate categories.
  2. Have the proxy sign out and sign back in to refresh their view.
  3. If the category is still missing, update the permissions and ask the proxy to check again.

Safety and Privacy Basics

  • Never share your ONYEN. Proxy access exists to avoid this.
  • Share only what is needed. You can enable finances without sharing grades. Use this granularity.
  • Review proxy access once per semester , particularly after tuition deadlines or tax season.

Recommended defaults:

  • Parent paying tuition: Enable Student Finances (billing + payments).
  • Parent filing taxes: Enable Tax Information (1098-T).
  • Academic monitoring: Only enable Academic Records if there is a clear reason to do so.

FAQ

1. Who counts as an “authorized proxy” at UNC?
An authorized proxy is typically a parent, guardian, or any trusted person to whom you wish to grant access. They receive a guest account created through ConnectCarolina, separate from your student account.

2. Can I give access to billing but not grades?
Yes. Permissions are selected by category. You can enable Student Finances independently of Academic Records. Each category is toggled separately.

3. What does the proxy need to activate their account?
They need two items from the invitation email: the Proxy Access Activation Link and the Temporary Action Password. Both are included in the same automated email.

4. Where does the proxy log in after activation?
They log in through the Proxy Access portal or Self-Service using the credentials they created during activation, not through your ConnectCarolina login. The activation email typically contains the correct unique link for the proxy account.

5. Can I undo it later?
Yes. You can return to Proxy Access in ConnectCarolina at any time to edit permissions or revoke access entirely. Revoking access ends their access immediately.

Wrap-Up

Here’s everything in 30 seconds:

  1. Add the proxy in ConnectCarolina using their name and email.
  2. Select only the permission categories they require.
  3. Send the invitation.
  4. Advise the proxy to activate their account using the link and temporary password from their email.
  5. Revisit permissions anytime, and revoke access when no longer needed.

This process takes about ten minutes to set up, providing your designated proxy with secure access without sharing passwords or contacting university offices.