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NC-SARA Student Complaint

What this form is for

When an out-of-state student who is taking online or distance education courses experiences issues related to consumer protection—such as misleading recruitment materials, inaccurate job placement or tuition information, or misrepresentation of accreditation—the student can rely on NC‑SARA to provide an additional layer of accountability and support.

In accordance with SARA policy, students must first attempt to resolve their concerns using the institution’s internal grievance procedures; Iḷisaġvik has provided information and a form below for students to complete.

If resolution is not achieved, students may escalate their complaint to their institution’s home‑state SARA State Portal Entity (for Alaska, that is the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education), which investigates allegations of fraud or dishonest practices and works toward a fair resolution.

What this Complaint Form Covers:

  • Alleged misrepresentations in recruitment or marketing materials
  • Accuracy of job placement outcomes, tuition, fees, and financial aid information
  • Clarity around admission criteria, accreditation status, and course transferability
  • Compliance with professional licensing guidelines where applicable
  • Proper administration of distance education programs in line with accreditor and C‑RAC guidelines

All other student complaints should click here to use the regular feedback form.

State Authorization and Distance Education – NC-SARA Overview

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a collaborative initiative among states, territories, and districts that establishes consistent national standards for delivering distance education across state lines. Its purpose is to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by institutions in other participating states.

NC-SARA is governed by a national council and supported by four regional education organizations: the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Each participating state develops its own process for institutions to apply for NC-SARA membership.

Any accredited degree-granting college or university—whether public, private nonprofit, or for-profit—is eligible, as long as it holds accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency. In Alaska, the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) serves as the designated agency overseeing compliance. Iḷisaġvik College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Once a college or university is approved through NC-SARA, it can recruit students and deliver online courses and programs to students in any other SARA-member state without having to obtain separate authorization from each state.

Student Complaint Resolution Process

At Iḷisaġvik College, we strive to continuously improve your college experience and deliver high-quality educational services. However, we understand that there may be times when our efforts do not meet your expectations. If concerns arise, we encourage open, respectful dialogue as a first step in resolving issues. To support this approach, we have created a formal student complaint process, which allows you to share your concerns with the individuals best positioned to address and resolve them. Please access the Iḷisaġvik form (and information about the ACPE complaint process) below.