State Authorization
State Authorization is a legal issue dealing with a college’s adherence to state requirements for colleges to secure authorization to offer instruction in that state. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended 2010. Colleges and universities offering distance education courses or programs are required to provide current and prospective students with the contact information for filing complaints with the educational institution, with its accrediting agency, and with the state agencies that handle complaints in students’ states of residence.
Students may reference the NC-SARA website to verify that William Peace University (WPU) is authorized to offer Distance Learning courses in their state. Registration of students from states not included in NC-SARA may require additional time and information so please allow additional time for this process.
Students residing outside of the State of North Carolina while taking online courses from WPU who desire to resolve an academic grievance or complaint should first follow WPU’s Student Complaint Process.
William Peace University Student Complaint Process
WPU undergraduate students who wish to resolve an academic grievance or complaint should first follow the university’s Student Complaint Process, as detailed in the Student Handbook. WPU’s Grievance Process and Form is available online.
Miss Bobbie Cole. Assistant Vice President of Student Life
15 E.Peace Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
bdcole@peace.edu
(919) 508-2014
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaint Information
If the grievance cannot be resolved within the university, students may contact the Licensure Division of the University of North Carolina System Office, which serves as the official state entity to receive complaints concerning post-secondary institutions that are authorized to operate in North Carolina. After reviewing the complaint policy, students can complete a complaint form and submit it via mail at:.
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh NC 27603
(919) 962-4550
Post-Secondary Education Complaints in North Carolina
Consumer Protection Division, North Carolina Department of Justice
To file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice, please visit the State Attorney General’s web page at: http://www.ncdoj.gov/
The online complaint form can be accessed at https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-
The mail-in form can be downloaded at
https://ncdoj.gov/download/16/
If you choose to mail-in a complaint, please use the following address:
Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General’s Office
Mail Service Center 9001
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Student Complaint Information
In the event that a complaint still has not been satisfactorily addressed, a complaint may next be filed with the university’s accrediting agency. After reviewing the complaint policies, procedures, and form, complainants may contact SACSCOC at:
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
404-679-4500
http://www.sacscoc.org/
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina Complaint Information
Students may also contact the offices of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina (SARANC) via the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), North Carolina’s portal entity for the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Upon reviewing the complaint process, students may complete the complaint form and submit it either via complaint@saranc.org or to:
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
c/o SARA North Carolina
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
(855) 727-2162 – toll free
(919) 248-4667 – local
(919) 248-6667 – fax
www.saranc.org
State-By-State Complaint Information
Students may also be able to pursue a complaint via agencies in their state of residence. For contact details, refer to the list below.
State-By-State Contact Information
For more information on professional licensure programs, please click here.