import-notice-out-of-state-students

Distance Education Out-of-State Authority

The U.S. Department of Education (U.S. DoE) released new regulations regarding distance education in October 2010. One of the new regulations focuses on the need for institutions offering distance education to acquire authorization from any state where the institution has currently enrolled students. As the details regarding this regulation continue to be clarified, the University of Houston-Clear Lake is in the process of gaining authorization from other states.

Depending on the outcome of this authorization, UHCL could notify students residing in a particular state that they are not eligible to register for distance education courses. In cases where UHCL students are affected by this change, the University of Houston-Clear Lake will provide assistance to students to resolve this matter.

Non-Approved States for Out of State Residents

Below are the list of States in which UHCL is NOT Authorized to offer Online programs to students that reside in that state. (This means if you reside in this state, UHCL cannot provide you with online programs).

State	Link to Complaint Process
Alabama	http://www.ache.state.al.us/
Arkansas	http://akadvantage.alaska.gov/
Hawaii	http://hawaii.gov/dcca/ocp/consumer_complaint
Massachusetts	http://www.mass.edu/forstudents/complaints/complaintprocess.asp
Minnesota	http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=205
Montana	http://mus.edu/board
North Dakota	http://www.nd.gov/cte/
Pennsylvania	http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/bureau_of_postsecondary_education/7325/division_of_higher_educ ation/522367
South Dakota	http://www.sdbor.edu/
Wisconsin	http://eab.state.wi.us/resources/complaint.asp
Wyoming	http://edu.wyoming.gov/Programs/schools/private_school_licensing.aspx
	Procedures for Filing a Complaint against an Institution
	SHEEO Higher Education Agency Contact Information
	Commission's Complaint Form (PDF)

*****Students from ALL other states may take Online Programs from UHCL.

Complaint Resolution

As part of the process, UHCL is required to provide current and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints.

For complaints regarding grades, course requirements and course procedures follow the University of Houston-Clear Lake Undergraduate or Graduate grievance policies found in the UHCL catalog.
If an issue cannot be resolved internally, you may file a complaint with your state. The Student Grievance Contact Information for Individual States provides phone number, email and/or links to state education agencies.
University of Houston-Clear Lake is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The SACS site provides complaint procedures against the commission or its accredited institutions.

For questions concerning the complaint process or the new U.S. DOE regulations affecting distance education, please contact UHCL Distance Education at disted@uhcl.edu or 281-283-3031.