This form is for any current student or former student enrolled in an online degree program who is filing a complaint against a South Dakota-based degree-granting institution approved under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Complaints that can be resolved under this process include:
- An allegation that a postsecondary institution does not meet the state authorization requirements in SDCL ch 13-48 (will be forwarded to Secretary of State);
- An allegation that a postsecondary institution violated deceptive trade practices and consumer protections guaranteed by SDCL ch 37-24 (will be forwarded to Consumer Affairs Division of the Office of the South Dakota Attorney General), or;
- An allegation raised by a distance education student that a SARA institution does not meet standards established by the institution’s accrediting agency or SARA.
Note: Complaints involving student grades or student conduct violations are governed entirely by institutional policy.
Complainants must first go through the institution’s complaint process before the complaint is brought to the SARA Coordinator.