Student Consumer Complaint Process
On July 1, 2011, the “Program Integrity Rule” amendment of Title IV of the Higher Education Act took effect. One of the requirements of the Program Integrity Rule is that each college or university authorized to offer postsecondary education in one or more States ensure access to a complaint process that will permit student consumers to address the following:
- alleged violations of State consumer protection laws that include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising;
- alleged violations of State laws or rules relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and
- complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements.
As an institution authorized to provide postsecondary education in the State of Ohio, Antioch College is committed to full compliance with the Program Integrity Rule, and provides the following information about our accreditation and complaint processes to all current and/or prospective students.
Complaint Process
Antioch College seeks to resolve all student concerns in a timely and effective manner and provides students with mechanisms to raise concerns (e.g. Student Grievance Policy).
However, some student concerns or complaints may pertain to alleged violations of State consumer protection laws such as fraud and false advertising, alleged violations of State laws or rules relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions, and complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements.
Personnel in the offices of Admission and Financial Aid, Academic Affairs, Dean of Students, Finance, Registrar, President, and Human Resources can address and resolve most if not all of the questions and concerns you may have:
- Admissions Eligibility & Processes: Office of Admission and Financial Aid
- Federal and Institutional Student Loans, Grants, Work Study: Office of Admission and Financial Aid
- Academic Programs: Office of Academic Affairs
- Academic Records: Office of the Registrar
- Student and Campus Life: Office of Student Life
- Campus Security: Office of Human Resources
- Tuition and Fee Payments and Refunds: Finance Department
- Accreditation: Office of Institutional Effectiveness
- Other Complaints and Concerns: Office of the President or Human Resources
It is expected that students will fully utilize any or all of the College’s administrative procedures to address concerns or complaints in as timely a manner as possible. On occasion, however, a student may believe that these administrative procedures have not adequately addressed concerns identified under the Program Integrity Rule. In those select cases, the following independent resources are available to the student:
- The Office of the Ohio Attorney General receives and reviews consumer complaints. More information about filing a complaint can be found here.
- The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s program approval office reviews academic programming offered in Ohio by independent institutions including Antioch College and makes recommendations regarding institutional authorization and program approval to the Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
- The Higher Learning Commission (“HLC”) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools is an independent body responsible for the accreditation of programs offered by Antioch College. Each year, the HLC receives a number of complaints from students or other parties. When a complaint raises issues regarding an institution’s ability to meet accreditation criteria, the HLC will forward a copy of the complaint to the institution and request a formal response. Instructions for filing a complaint with the Commission are available on its website.