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SARA

USM is authorized in all states listed as NC-SARA states as an institutional participant (see the Mississippi NC-SARA page). All states are participants in the NC-SARA reciprocity agreement other than California as are US Protectorates U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The other inhabited US Protectorates (i.e. American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands) are not members of NC-SARA. Both Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands are sovereign states in free association with the United States and are not members of NC-SARA.

Public institutions are not regulated by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, which only regulated for-profit institutions; therefore, all public institutions are allowed to offer distance education to the residents of California.

ACCREDITATION

  • The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited to award baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctorate degrees.by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensing requirements. 
  • Contact the Commission on Colleges for questions about the accreditation of the University of Southern Mississippi:
    • By Mail- 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or
    • Call 404.679.4500

COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

The University of Southern Mississippi desires to resolve student complaints, grievances, and concerns in an expeditious, fair and amicable manner.
Students with an academic concern are encouraged to visit our CARES page.

All students who are seeking to resolve grievances that were not previously resolved based on communications between the parties involved can file a grievance under the USM’s Student Grievance Policy.

Students residing outside of the State of Mississippi while attending USM who have already exhausted all desire to resolve a grievance should follow the University’s Student Grievance Procedure.

Any issue that cannot be resolved internally that does not involve Grade Appeals or Conduct matters, can be addressed by having the individual file a complaint with their state. For more information about our policies, please visit our Institutional Policy page.

To comply with the Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008, institutions offering education must provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in the student’s state.

For matters unrelated to conduct or grades, students also have the right to attempt to resolve complaints by contacting state consumer agencies or other related bodies as described below if resolution with the institution is unsuccessful.

Clicking on any state in the list that begins near the bottom of this page displays the state agency responsible for complaints regarding out-of-state online education programs.

MISSISSIPPI STATE RESIDENTS TAKING ONLINE COURSES

State Accrediting Agency:

If your complaint is not resolved at the institutional level, then you may refer your complaint to the  Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation using the MCCA Student Complaint Form within two years of the incident. If the complaint is outside of MCCA’s jurisdiction, it may be directed to another agency that is authorized to address the concerns, if appropriate.

Note: This process is not applicable for matters related to student grades or discipline/conduct matters.

Consumer Protection:

MS students taking online courses may also contact the Attorney General:

Mississippi Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
State of Mississippi
PO Box 22947
Jackson, Mississippi 39225-2947
Mississippi Consumer Protection Complaint Form

OUT-OF-STATE/DISTANCE STUDENT COMPLAINTS PROCESS

If your complaint is not resolved at the institutional level by filing a complaint pursuant to the student grievance policy, then out-of-state students residing in NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) states, which includes all states except California, may submit complaints to the MS-SARA portal agent:

NC-SARA Student Complaint

Complaint process (students in non-SARA states)
(CA)

If you are a resident of California and have a complaint, contact the following home state consumer protection agency:
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Center
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112
Sacramento, California 95834
Telephone: (833) 942-1120

dca@dca.ca.gov 

Students may also:

Print and File Complaint Form
Use the Online Complaint Form

STATE AUTHORIZATIONS

To provide education to students residing in other states, which constitutes operating in another, higher education institutions must comply with the laws and regulation of each of the states in which students are located while completing distance education. Distance education includes online as well as supervised field experiences including clinicals, internships, externships, and practicums. Per Section 1 (30) of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), operating means any and all activities conducted by an Institution in support of offering Distance Education degree or non-degree courses or programs in a State, including but not limited to instruction, marketing, recruiting, tutoring, Supervised Field Experiences, experiential learning placements, Out-of-State Learning Placements and other student support services.

In addition to being authorized directly or operating pursuant to a reciprocity agreement, an institution must also check with the state professional licensing boards to see if any program that they are offering that involves distance education requires preapproval before a supervised field experience is conduct and leads to licensure in the state the students is located or where they complete their supervised field experience.

PHYSICAL PRESENCE*

Whether or not a higher education institution engages in an action that triggers “physical presence” varies based on the laws of each specific state. Among the activities considered in determining if physical presence is triggered are:

  • hosting short-term, face-to-face, seminars or conferences where students meet in person
  • experiential learning within the jurisdiction (field experience, clinical, internship, externship, practicum) organized by the institution
  • owning property within a state
  • recruiting done in an organized manner, consistently, and on-the-ground either by employees or agents of the institution
  • entering into contracts/agreements with an in-state institution or in-state entity to provide services for students (i.e. library, gym, computer centers, etc.)
  • requiring a student to take a proctored exam at a location or with an entity in the state selected by the institution
  • advertising in local media sources viewed by residents of the state
  • hiring online faculty who live in the state
  • employing mentors, tutors, or preceptors in the state to aid individual students who are residents of the state
  • Courses offered by instructors not residing in Mississippi cannot include face-to-face meetings with students in those other states.
  • The way in which physical presence is defined is different based on the state and would need to be considered in any state in which an institution is authorized so as to abide by the physical presence limitations.
  • Institutional participants to NC-SARA have specific physical presence considerations that must be considered, which are further specified in the NC-SARA section of this page.

If physical presence is triggered, the institution must become authorized in that state.

*State physical presence triggers apply if an institution that is an NC-SARA member exceeds their permitted physical presence in a state based on the NC-SARA guidelines (see NC-SARA paragraph below).

EXEMPTIONS

  • If the activities of an institution do not create a “physical presence”, an exception may apply allowing the institution to provide education to students in the state without becoming authorized with the state based on their lack of physical presence.
    • The following list represent the types of scenarios that create exceptions, though exceptions vary on a state-by-state basis:
      • Religious organizations
      • Organizations accredited by an agency approved by the Department of Education
      • Non-degree granting programs
  • Please review the list of states below for more information concerning the University of Southern Mississippi’s compliance with this regulation and to obtain the contact information for the appropriate agency in the state where you reside.
  • We are evaluating and working to comply with the various requirements and are updating this page as additional information is received.

NC-SARA

  • National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) commonly known as SARA.
  • SARA represents a reciprocity agreement in which member states agree to grant each other the right to provide online education in other member states subject to agreed upon limitations.
  • Currently 49 states are members of SARA:
  • Mississippi became a member of NC-SARA on 1/1/16.
  • USM applied for and was accepted as a member of SARA on 3/31/16
  • USM is now able to offer distance education (both online and limited field experiences) to students in any SARA State as well as advertising and recruiting as long as we do not engage in any of the following activities within member states:
    • Create a physical location for students to receive synchronous or asynchronous instruction;
    • Require students to physically meet in a location for instructional purposes more than twice per full-term (quarter or semester) course for a total of more than six hours;
    • Establish an administrative office;
    • Provide information to students for the purpose of enrolling students, or providing students support services, form a physical site operated by or on behalf of the intuition in the state;
    • Offer a “short course” that requires more than 20 contact hours in one six-month period;
    • Provide office space to instructional or non-instructional staff;
      Maintain a mailing address or phone exchange in state;
    • Carry out field study or field research located a field station, research station or other physical site at which a faculty member or other institutional employee or contractor supervisors or otherwise directs two or more students in an activity exceeding the allowable short course length set forth in section 5.1 e and which either bears academic credit or is a requirement for a course or program.

BACKGROUND

Pursuant to the Federal Program Integrity Rules (34 CFR (B)(VI)(668)(F) and NC-SARA (Rule 7.2.1), the following information is provided about programs leading to professional licensure:

  • Licensure is a state-specific determination made by state professional licensing boards based on state-determined criteria.
  • The rules applicable to a licensure application are the rules and regulations that are in place at the time the student applies for licensure.
  • When a student speaks to the state professional licensing board, the professional licensing board may require the student to inform them of whether or not the program leads to licensure in the state of Mississippi.
  • The University of Southern Mississippi is working on requesting confirmation from the professional licensing boards as to whether programs in licensed professions lead to licensure in the states in which they have students and in state in which prospective students inquire about matriculating in said programs.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARDS

  • Requirements for licensure vary from one profession to another and from state to state.
  • Each state has professional licensing boards in place to regulate the criteria that need to be met to qualify for licensure within a state.
  • Many careers require you to meet specific licensing, training as well as other requirements.
  • Additional education may be required, including but not limited to, state-specific content such as additional coursework or additional supervised field experience hours.
  • Boards may also require background checks.
  • Some boards require an individual to be a resident in order to obtain a license in certain professions.
  • Some states require that an individual obtain a drivers’ license in the state thereby confirming residency in the state prior to considering a licensure application.
  • Licensure requires are governed by the states, not by the Federal government, and the criteria for licensure vary significantly from state to state.
  • Rules in place at the time the individual applies for licensure determine what the licensing requirements apply. The Board determines how the rules and regulations in place are interpreted and applied at the time the licensure application is processed.

https://www.clearhq.org/page-481248

For more information on licensing boards, review the Professional Licensure page.

FIELD EXPERIENCES

Although the University will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in field experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility. Students should further be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure by the state certification body. Students may consult the certification body corresponding to their intended occupation for more details. Successful completion of a program of study at the University of Southern Mississippi does not guarantee licensure, certification or employment in the relevant occupation.

LICENSURE INFORMATION

Typically, state licensing boards will have added requirements including generally a criminal background check, added fees, and specifically the following types of requirements based on the type of license:

Engineering- most states require additional years of experience following graduation for candidates who apply for licensure with an Applied Technology, B.S. (which is only accepted in a few states) or an Engineering Technology, B.S. or an Industrial Engineering Technology, B.S. Typically, this would be an additional four years of experience for a total of eight years of professional experience, instead of the four years required for those who graduate with an Engineering degree.

  • Medical Laboratory Science- ASCP certification is required by the states (see list-California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia) that require licensure.
  • Nursing- Mississippi is part of the enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (e-NLC) along with the following states:  Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. For additional information about the e-NLC see the following website: e-NLC Implementation
  • Teaching- additional coursework (i.e. a state history and state culture course), and distinct test scores. Those seeking a license as an administrator may need to have a specific number of years of experience. There may be additional qualifications and/or disqualifications applicable in order to work as a teacher with any local, state or federal entity.

STUDENT OBLIGATIONS RELATIVE TO LICENSURE

  • Students intending to practice a licensed profession outside of Mississippi who plan to enroll in any University of Southern Mississippi education course(s), degree and/or certificate program leading to advanced licensure need to understand that the state that they are going to be working in will likely have specific requirements in terms of additional courses that are needed to become licensed in their state.
  • For additional information and guidance on out-of-state professional licensure, please visit the Professional Licensure Disclosures page.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

  • Students who are pursuing degrees related to professional licensure or certification, and/or who will be participating in clinical placements, internships, or practica through their degree program should be aware that their host facility may require any or all of the following:
    • criminal background check
    • fingerprinting or
    • drug screening
  • In such situations, each student is responsible for obtaining and paying for the background check or other screening process and for delivering required documentation to the facility.
  • Although the University will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in field experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility.
  • Students should further be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure by the state certification body.
  • Students may consult the certification body corresponding to their intended occupation for more details.
  • Successful completion of a program of study at the University of Southern Mississippi does not guarantee licensure, certification or employment in the relevant occupation.

ADVERSE ACTIONS

As of January 15, 2021, no adverse actions related to our online degree programs have been initiated by the Mississippi Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) or the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) against The University of Southern Mississippi for the past five years.

POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF CHANGING STATE OF RESIDENCE

The University of Southern Mississippi is able to offer distance education (online and supervised field experiences) in states that are NC-SARA member states through our membership in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). Should you relocate while taking a distance program, please review the list below which indicates the states in which we can offer distance education. If the state that you intend to relocate to is not listed, negative consequences may occur including, but not limited to, the loss of eligibility for certain forms of financial aid (including, but not limited to, Title IV financial aid eligibility, loan repayment or deferment, and/or veteran’s benefits), and/or in the inability to complete the academic program. Additionally, each state professional licensing board has distinct standards. Therefore, relocation may adversely affect your ability to become licensed. Should you have any questions regarding state authorization, please email stateauthorizationFREEMississippi. For additional information and guidance on out-of-state professional licensure, please visit the Professional Licensure Disclosures page. To determine the impact of relocation on financial aid, students should consult with the Financial Services Office and/or the Center for Military Veterans, Services Members and Families located at 3503 Morningside Drive Hattiesburg, MS 39406 to determine the impact of a change in location.

SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS FOR CERTAIN POPULATIONS:

Active Duty Receiving Tuition Assistance or Spousal Assistance

File a complaint with the Department of Postsecondary Education Complaint System (https://afvec.langley.af.mil/pecs/DoDPECS.aspx) .

Veteran Using Montgomery or Post 9/11 GI Bill

File a complaint with the Department of Veterans Affairs (https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp) relative to an institution failing to follow the Principles of Excellence (https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/principles_of_excellence.asp) relative to recruiting or marketing practices, accreditation, financial issues, student loans, post-graduation job opportunities, or change in degree plan/requirements.

Student with a Private Student Loan

File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/practitionerresources/students/) .

Current Student Receiving Federal Financial Aid

File a complaint with the Department of Education Ombudsman (https://feedback.studentaid.ed.gov/s/?language=en_US)

The Mississippi State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Mississippi. Our office investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email at saa@msva.ms.gov.

STATE CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY AND NC-SARA MEMBERSHIP LIST

See the list below to determine which agency in the state in which you reside can assist you in furthering your complaint or for additional information on the state’s status in terms of membership in the  National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

SARA state

Alabama Commission on Higher Education
PO Box 302000
Montgomery, AL  36130-2000
Complaint Form

Alabama Attorney General Protection Hotline 800-392-5658
File online complaint http://ago.state.al.us/Page-Consumer-Protection.
Mailing Address: PO Box 300152, Montgomery, AL 36130
Physical Address: 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104

SARA State

Alaska Commission on Post-secondary Education
PO Box 110505
Juneau, AK  99811-0505
Email

Alaska Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
1031 W Fourth Ave., Ste. 200
Anchorage, AK  99501
Email
Complaint Form

Authorization is Pending


American Samoa Board of Higher Education
American Samoa Community College
P.O. Box 2609
Pago Pago, AS 96799
Phone: 684.699.9155

American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs
Office of the Attorney General
Executive Office Building – 3rd floor
Phone: (684) 633-4163 or 633-4164
Fax: (684) 633-1838
https://www.americansamoa.gov/department-of-legal-affairs-ag.

SARA state

Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
1400 W Washington St., Rm. 260
Phoenix, AZ  85007
Complaint Form

Arizona Attorney General
Address: 2005 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2926
Phone: 602-542-5025
Website: https://www.azag.gov/consumer/home

SREB state

SARA state

Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Arkansas Department of Higher Education
114 East Capitol Ave.
Little Rock, AR  72201
Email
Complaint Form

Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education
501 Woodlane, Ste. 312S
Little Rock, AR  72201
Email
Complaint Form

USM does not maintain a physical presence in the state. Therefore, under the definition of physical presence applied by California as listed below, we are not required to become authorized:

Private postsecondary educational institution” means a private entity with a physical presence in this state that offers postsecondary education to the public for an institutional charge

California Department of Consumer Affairs

Toll Free number: 833-942-1120

1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112
Sacramento, California 95834
dca@dca.ca.gov

Students may also:

Print and File Complaint Form
Use the Online Complaint Form

SARA state

Colorado Department of Higher Education
1560 Broadway, Ste. 1600
Denver, CO  80202
Complaint Form

Colorado Department of Higher Education 1600 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, CO 80202
Website: http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Complaints/default.html
Consumer Protection & Services Colorado State Attorney General
Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Building 3
1300 Broadway, 10th Floor, Denver, CO 80203
Tel: 800-222-4444 or 720-508-6000
Contact: https://coag.gov/about-us/contact-colorado-office-attorney-general
Website: https://coag.gov/about-us/office-sections/consumer-protection

SARA state

Connecticut Department of Higher Education
61 Woodland St.
Hartford, CT  06105-2326
Email

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
165 Capitol Ave., Rm. 110
Hartford, CT  06106
(800) 842-2649
Email
Complaint Form

SARA state

Delaware Higher Education Office
Carvel State Office Building, 5th Floor
820 N French St.
Wilmington, DE  19801-3509
Email

Delaware Attorney General
Consumer Protection Wilmington
820 N French St., 5th floor
Wilmington, DE  19801
Email

Authorization is Pending

FSM Higher Education Agency
College of Micronesia-FSM
P.O. Box 159
Kolonia Pohnpei, FM 96941
Phone: 691-320-2480

SARA state

Florida Commission on Independent Education
325 W. Gaines St., Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL  32399-0400
Email
Complaint Form

Florida Office of Attorney General
Office of Attorney General
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050
Tel: 866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990
Website:
http://myfloridalegal.com/contact.nsf/contact?Open&Section=Citizen_Services

SARA state

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 E Exchange Pl., #220
Tucker, GA  30084-5334
Complaint Form

Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Suite 356, Atlanta, GA 30334
Tel: 800-869-1123 or 404-651-8600
Fax: 404-651-9018
Website: http://consumer.georgia.gov/pdf/Complaintform.pdf

Authorization is Pending

Office of Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General Office of Guam
Administration Division
590 S. Marine Corps Drive, Suite 901, Tamuning, Guam 96913
Tel: 671-475-3324
Fax: 671-472-2493
Email: law@guamag.org
Website: http://www.guamag.org/
Form:
http://www.guamag.org/forms_consumer/2015%20ConsumerComplaintForm.pdf

SARA state

Hawaii State Board of Education
PO Box 2360
Honolulu, HI  96804
Email
Complaint Form

Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
Office of Consumer Protection
235 S Beretania St.- Rm 801, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-2419
Tel: 808-586-2630
Fax: 808-586-2640
Website: http://cca.hawaii.gov/consumer-complaints/

SARA state


Idaho State Board of Education
Attn: State Coordinator for Private Colleges and Proprietary Schools
650 W State St.
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID  83720-0037
Complaint Form

Idaho State Board of Education
Attn: State Coordinator for Private Colleges and Proprietary Schools
650 West State Street, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0037
Website: https://boardofed.idaho.gov/priv_col_univ/student_complaint.asp
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
700 W. Jefferson St. Suite 210, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720
Tel: 208-334-2424
Website:
http://www.ag.idaho.gov/onlineForms/consumerProtectionComplaint.htm

SARA state

Illinois Board of Higher Education
431 E Adams, 2nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62701-1404
(217) 557-7359
Email

Illinois State Board of Education
100 N 1st St.
Springfield, IL 62777
Complaint Form

Illinois Attorney General
Consumer Fraud Bureau
500 S Second St.
Springfield, IL 62706
Email
Complaint Form

SARA state

Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education
Attn: Director of Regulatory Compliance
302 W Washington St., Rm. E201
Indianapolis, IN  46204
Complaint Form

Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Government Center South
302 W. Washington St. 5th Floor, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Tel: 317-232-6330 or 800-382-5516
Website: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2434.htm
Form: https://indianaattorneygeneral.secure.force.com/ConsumerComplaintForm

 

SARA state

Iowa Student Aid Commission
603 E 12th St., 5th Floor
Des Moines, IA  50319
Email
Complaint Form

Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General of Iowa
1305 E. Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50319
Tel: 888-777-4590 or 515-281-5926
Fax: 515-281-6771
Email: consumer@ag.iowa.gov
Website Online Form: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers/filea-consumer-complaint/complaint-form/
Form:
https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/media/cms/FILLABLE_Consumer_Protection_Compla_D017CD2C2EFBF.pdf

SARA state

Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson St., Ste. 520
Topeka, KS  66612-1368
Complaint Form

SARA state

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
1024 Capital Center Dr., #320
Frankfort, KY  40601-7512

Kentucky Board of Proprietary Education
911 Leawood Dr.
Frankfort, KY  40601-3319
Complaint Form

Office of the Attorney General
Capitol Suite 118
700 Capitol Ave.
Frankfort, KY  40601-3449
Complaint Form

SARA state

Louisiana Board of Regents
PO Box 3677
Baton Rouge, LA  70821-3677
Complaint Form

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
P.O. Box 94005, Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Tel: 800-351-4889 or 225-326-6465
Email: ConsumerInfo@ag.state.la.us
Website: http://www.ag.state.la.us/Home/ComplaintDocument

SARA state

Maine Department of Education
Complaint Investigator
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME  04333-0023
Email

Maine Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME  04333
Complaint Form

Authorization is Pending

Republic of the Marshall Islands
Ministry of Education
P.O. Box 3
Majuro, MH 96960
Phone: 692.625.5261

Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 890
Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960
Tel: (692) 625-3244/8245
Fax: (692) 625-5218

SARA state


Maryland Higher Education Commission
839 Bestgate Rd., Ste. 400
Annapolis, MD  21401-3013
Complaint Form

Maryland Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul Pl.
Baltimore, MD  21202
(410) 528-8662
Email
Complaint Form

SARA state

Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place, Rm. 1401
Boston, MA  02108

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Advocacy & Response Division
One Ashburton Place, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
Tel: 617-727-2200
Email: ago@state.ma.us
Website: http://www.mass.gov/ago/consumer-resources/consumerassistance/consumer-complaint.html

SARA state

Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth
Office of Postsecondary Services
Proprietary School Unit Staff
201 N Washington Sq.
Lansing, MI  48913
Complaint Form

Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909-7713
Tel: 517-335-7599 Fax: 517-241-3771
Email: miag@michigan.gov
Website: https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx

SARA state

Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Dr., Ste. 350
St. Paul, MN  55108-5227
Email

Minnesota Attorney General’s Office
1400 Bremer Tower
445 Minnesota St.
St. Paul, MN  55101
Complaint Form

SARA state

Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS  39211-6453

Complaint Form

Mississippi Commission of Proprietary Schools and College Registration
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS  39211-6453

Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
State of Mississippi
PO Box 22947
Jackson, MS  39225-2947
Email
Complaint Form

SARA state

Missouri Department of Higher Education
205 Jefferson St.
PO Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO  65102-1469
Complaint Form

Attorney General’s Office
Consumer Protection Unit
P.O. Box 899, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Tel: 800-392-8222 or 573-751-3321
Email: consumer.help@ago.mo.gov
Website: https://ago.mo.gov/app/consumercomplaint
Form: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/defaultsource/forms/consumercomplaintform.pdf?sfvrsn=2

SARA state

Montana Board of Regents
Office of Commissioner of Higher Education
Montana University System
2500 Broadway St.
PO Box 203201
Helena, MT  59620-3201

Montana Office of Consumer Protection
2225 11th Ave.
PO Box 200151
Helena, MT  59620-0151
Email
Complaint Form

SARA state

Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
PO Box 95005
Lincoln, NE  68509-5005

Nebraska Department of Education
Investigations Office
301 S Centennial Mall
PO Box 98987
Lincoln, NE  68509-4987
Complaint Form

Nebraska Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
2115 State Capitol
Lincoln, NE  68509
(800) 727-6432
Complaint Form

SARA state

Nevada Commission on Post-secondary Education
3663 E Sunset Rd., Ste. 202
Las Vegas, NV  89120
Complaint Form

Office of the Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
100 North Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701
Tel: 775-684-1100 Fax: 775-684-1108
Website: http://ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/

SARA state

New Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission
3 Barrell Ct., #300
Concord, NH  03301-8531
Complaint Form

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection & Antitrust Bureau
33 Capitol Street, Concord, NH 03301
Tel: 888-468-4454 or 603-271-3641
Fax: 603-223-6202
Email: DOJ-CPB@doj.nh.gov
Website: http://business.nh.gov/ConsumerComplaint/step1.asp

SARA state

New Jersey Commission on Higher Education
PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ  08625
Email

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1 John Fitch Pl.
PO Box 110
Trenton, NJ  08625-0110
Email
Complaint Form

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
124 Halsey St.
Newark, NJ  07102
Complaint Form

SARA state

New Mexico Higher Education Department
2048 Galisteo
Santa Fe, NM  87505
Complaint Form

Attorney General Hector Balderas
Consumer Protection Division
PO Drawer 1508, Santa Fe, NM 87504
Tel: 1-844-255-9210
Email: publicinformationoff@nmag.gov
Form: https://secure.nmag.gov/ecs

SARA state

New York Office of College and University Evaluation
New York State Education Department
5 N Mezzanine
Albany, NY  12234
Email
Complaint Form

New York Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision
New York State Education Department
99 Washington Ave., Rm. 1613 OCP
Albany, NY  12234

New York State Department of State
Division of Consumer Protection
Consumer Assistance Unit
5 Empire State Plaza, Ste. 2101
Albany, NY  12223-1556
Complaint Form

Authorization is Pending

State Higher Education Agency, Northern Marianas College
Attn: Frankie M. Eliptico, Interim President
POB 501250, Saipan MP 96950-1250
Tel: 670-234-5498
Fax: 670-234-1270
Email: nmc@nmcnet.edu
Office of Attorney General
Edward E Manibusan
2nd Floor Hon. Juan A. Sablan Memorial Bldg.
Caller Box 10007, Capitol Hill, Saipan, MP 96950
Website: http://www.cnmioag.org/about-us/
Form: https://www.cnmioag.org/publications/1617/

SARA state

North Carolina Community College System Office of Proprietary Schools
200 W Jones St.
Raleigh, NC  27603
Complaint Form

North Carolina Consumer Protection
Attorney General’s Office
Mail Service Center 9001
Raleigh, NC  27699-9001
Complaint Form

SARA state

North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education
State Capitol – 15th Floor
600 E Boulevard Ave., Dept. 270
Bismarck, ND  58505-0610
Email

North Dakota Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
Gateway Professional Center
1050 E Interstate Ave., Ste. 200
Bismarck, ND  58503-5574
Complaint Form

SARA state


Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
35 E Gay St., Ste. 403
Columbus, OH  43215-31388
Complaint Form

Ohio Board of Regents
30 E Broad St., 36th Floor
Columbus, OH  43215-3414

Ohio Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
30 E Broad St., 14th Floor
Columbus, OH  43215-3400
Complaint Form

SARA state

Oregon Office of Degree Authorization
1500 Valley River Dr., Ste. 100
Eugene, OR  97401

Oregon Department of Education
Private Career Schools Office
255 NE Capitol St.
Salem, OR  97310-0203
Complaint Form

Oregon Attorney General
Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection Section
1162 NE Court St.
Salem, OR  97301-4096
Complaint Form

Authorization is Pending

Republic of Palau National Government
Ministry of Education
PO BOX 6051 Koror, Palau 96940
Phone 680.767.2403
 
Ministry of Justice of Palau
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 1365
Koror, Palau 96940
Tel. (680)488-2481/2487
Fax. (680)488-3329
Email: agoffice@palaunet.com

SARA state

Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market St.
Harrisburg, PA  17126-0333

Office of Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Strawberry Square, 14th Floor
Harrisburg, PA  17120
Complaint Form

SARA State

David Baez
Acting Director, Education Support Programs
Puerto Rico Council on Education
PO Box 19900
San Juan, P.R. 00919-1900
787.641.7100 ext. 2056
dbaez@estado.pr.gov
mvaras@estado.pr.gov (please copy all emails)

Puerto Rico Department of Justice
PO 9020192, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-0192

SARA state

Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education
Shepard Building
80 Washington St.
Providence, RI  02903

Rhode Island Department of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
150 S Main St.
Providence, RI  02903
Complaint Form

SARA state

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1333 Main St., Ste. 200
Columbia, SC  29201
Complaint Form

South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
PO Box 5757, Columbia, SC 29250
Tel: 803-734-4200
Email: scdca@scconsumer.gov
Website: https://www.consumer.sc.gov/consumer-resources/consumercomplaints
Form:
https://applications.sc.gov/DCAComplaintSystem/Login/ConsumerLogin.aspx

SARA state

South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E Capitol Ave., Ste. 200
Pierre, SD  57501-2545

South Dakota Office of Attorney General
Division of Consumer Protection
1302 E Hwy 14, Ste. 3
Pierre, SD  57501-8053
Complaint Form

SARA state

Tennessee Higher Education Commission
404 James Robertson Pky., Ste. 1900
Nashville, TN  37243
Complaint Form

Department of Commerce and Insurance
Consumer Affairs Department
500 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243-0600
Tel: 800-342-8385 (TN only) or 615-741-4737
Fax: 615-741-2241
Email: Ask.TDCI@TN.Gov
Website: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/section/consumer-affairs

SARA state

Texas Workforce Commission
Career Schools and Colleges
101 E 15th St., Rm. 226-T
Austin, TX  78778-0001
Complaint Form

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
1200 E Anderson Ln.
Austin, TX  78752

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
PO Box 12548
Austin, TX  78711-2548
Complaint Form

SARA State


Camille McKayle

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

University of the Virgin Islands

#2 John Brewers Bay

St. Thomas, USVI  00802

340.693.1200

cmckayl@uvi.edu

Government of the United States Virgin Islands
Department of Education, Office of the Commissioner
ST. THOMAS
1834 Kongens Gade, St. Thomas, V.I. 00802
Tel: 340-774-0100
ST. CROIX
2133 Hospital Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, 00820
Tel: 340-773-1095

Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Attn: Consumer Affairs
Golden Rock Shopping Center,
3000 Estate Golden Rock, Suite 9, St Croix, VI 00820
St. Croix Tel: 340‐713‐2754
St Thomas Tel: 340‐776‐0675
Website:
https://secure.dlca.vi.gov/license/Asps/complaint/AddComplaint.aspx?Busseq

 

SARA state

Utah Division of Consumer Protection
160 E 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT  84111
Email
Complaint Form

 

SARA state

Vermont Department of Education
State Board of Education
120 State St.
Montpelier, VT  05620-2501

Vermont Attorney General’s Office
109 State St.
Montpelier, VT  05609-1001

SARA state

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
101 N 14th St.
James Monroe Building
Richmond, VA  23219
Complaint Form

Office of the Attorney General of Virginia
Consumer Protection Section
900 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Tel: 800‐552‐9963 (VA only) or 804‐786‐2042
Fax: 804‐225‐4378
Website: http://ag.virginia.gov/consumer-protection/index.php/file-a-complaint

SARA state

Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board
917 Lakeridge Way
PO Box 43430
Olympia, WA  98504-3430
Email
Complaint Form

Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
128 SW 10th Ave.
PO Box 43105
Olympia, WA  98504-3105
Email
Complaint Form

Washington State Office of the Attorney General
1125 SE Washington St.
PO Box 40100
Olympia, WA  98504-0100
Email
Complaint Form

SARA state

District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Education Licensure Commission
810 NE First St., 9th Floor
Washington, DC  20002
Complaint Form

SARA state

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 E Kanawha Blvd, Ste. 700
Charleston, WV  25301-2800

Community and Technical College System of West Virginia
1018 E Kanawha Blvd., Ste. 700
Charleston, WV  25301

West Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
PO Box 1789
Charleston, W  25326-1789
Complaint Form

SARA state

Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
30 W Mifflin St., 9th Floor
PO Box 8696
Madison, WI  53708
Email
Complaint Form

Bureau of Consumer Protection
PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911
(800) 422-7128
(608) 224-4677 Fax
(608) 224-5058 TTY
Email: DATCPHotline@Wisconsin.gov
Form: https://mydatcp.wi.gov/Complaints/complaint/create/da42c589-da19-
e511-af89-0050568c06ae

SARA state

Wyoming Department of Education
2300 Capitol Ave.
Hathaway Building, 2nd Floor
Cheyenne, WY  82002-0050

Attorney General’s Office
123 Capitol Building
200 W 24th St.
Cheyenne, WY  82002