State Authorization

State authorization is the legal directive that requires higher education institutions to be in compliance with the laws and regulations of each state where it conducts business. Each state has the authority to regulate educational activities that are delivered within and across its borders, including distance/online education. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended 2010. The act states that institutions offering distance education courses or programs must provide current and prospective students with the contact information for filing complaints with the college, its accrediting agency, and with the state agencies that handle complaints in the students’ state of residence. There can be significant consequences to institutions that are not in compliance with state authorization regulations, so Carolina College of Biblical Studies takes this requirement very seriously.

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) provides a regional approach to oversight of distance education and streamlines the process for institutions to become compliant in other states for distance education. Membership in NC-SARA is voluntary. NC-SARA ensures students are afforded various consumer protection benefits as well as access to quality programs by establishing a set of guidelines to which member institutions must adhere. You can read more about NC-SARA here.  In January 2017, CCBS was granted membership into NC-SARA.

To verify that Carolina College of Biblical Studies is authorized to offer Online Courses in your state, please visit the NC-SARA website.

 

Student Complaint Process for Online Courses

Students who wish to resolve a grievance should first follow CCBS’s Student Grievance Procedure outlined in the current academic catalog and available on our website under Student Complaints.

Out-of-state students who wish to file a complaint with their home state should refer to the State Authorization Liasons Per State responsible for handling complaints.

State Authorization Liasons Per State

NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Procedures

 

If a complaint cannot be resolved through the institution’s complaint process, students may file a complaint with the North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints unit. Please review the NC Post-Secondary Education Student Complaint Policy (PDF), print and complete the NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Form (PDF), and submit the complaint to:

 

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina System Office
910 Raleigh Road
Chapel Hill, NC  27515-2688

 

Phone: (919) 962-4550
Email: studentcomplaint@northcarolina.edu
Website: North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints

ABHE Student Complaint Process

Carolina College of Biblical Studies is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) to award associate and Bachelor degrees, diplomas, and certificates. If a complaint directly related to specific compliance with the Principles of Accreditation is not satisfactorily resolved, students are able to file a complaint with ABHE.

Students should follow the ABHE Complaint Process Against Institution or Program.

Association for Biblical Higher Education
5850 T. G. Lee Blvd. Suite 130
Orlando, FL  32822

Telephone: (407) 207-0808
Email: info@abhe.org
Website: www.abhe.org

SARA-NC Complaint Process and Information

 

Students may also file a complaint through SARA-NC. SARA-NC is the portal for the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

 

SARA North Carolina
P.O. Box 14103
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

 

Telephone: (855) SARA-1-NC (727-2162)
Telephone: (919) 549-8614, ext. 4667
Email:  complaint@saranc.org
Website: www.saranc.org

 

SARA-NC Complaint Process
SARA-NC Complaint Form (PDF)

Professional Licensure

We do not currently offer any programs that lead to licensure or certification.