Complaint Process for Out-of-State Distance Learners
Mercer University has policies and procedures in place to address and resolve student grievances in a fair and timely manner. Like all Mercer students, distance learners are advised to address grievances following the Grievance Procedure outlined in the Student Handbook. However, when an issue cannot be resolved internally, distance students residing outside of Georgia may choose to file a complaint with his/her state regulatory body (see State Contact Information below). If you live in a state that participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), you must file a complaint with Georgia's NC-SARA Portal Agency, the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC), as outlined below.
Complaint Process for Students Residing in NC-SARA States
Under the terms of Mercer's agreement with NC-SARA, GNPEC addresses complaints related to institutional non-compliance with the Commission's standards, policies, or procedures (see Complaint Rules). Before filing a complaint, a student must have sought internal resolution for the complaint. Please check the State Contact Information below to determine if your state participates in NC-SARA.
The GNPEC Complaint Forms can be viewed here.
Other Complaint Processes
Students may also file a complaint with the University's regional accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Instructions on how to file a complaint with SACSCOC are available here.
Finally, military personnel who receive Tuition Assistance (TA) have an additional complaint process available. Students may submit a complaint with the Postsecondary Education Complaint System when his/her school fails to follow the Principles of Excellence established by Executive Order on April 27, 2012.
State Contact Information
Alabama participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Alabama residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
Alaska participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Alaska residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Addtionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education.
Arizona participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Arizona residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: AZ SARA Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement.
Arkansas participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Arkansas residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
California does not currently participate in NC-SARA. Complaints by California residents must be filed with the following agency:
California Department of Consumer Affiars - Consumer Information Center
1625 North Market Blvd, Suite N-112
Sacramento, CA 95834
Colorado participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Colorado residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Connecticut participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Connecticut residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Connecticut Office of Higher Education.
Delaware participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Delaware residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Delaware Department of Education - Higher Education Office.
The District of Columbia participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by DC residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Florida participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Florida residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Florida Department of Education.
Hawaii participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Hawaii residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program.
Idaho participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Idaho residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Idaho State Board of Education.
Illinois participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Illinois residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Indiana participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Indiana residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Iowa participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Iowa residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Iowa College Student Aid Commission.
Kansas participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Kansas residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Kansas Board of Regents.
Kentucky participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Kentucky residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
Louisiana participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Louisiana residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Louisiana Board of Regents.
Maine participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Maine residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Maine Department of Higher Education.
Maryland participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Maryland residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Massachussetts participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Massachussetts residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.
Michigan participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Michigan residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
Minnesota participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Minnesota residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Mississippi participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Mississippi residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation.
Missouri participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Missouri residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Missouri Department of Higher Education.
Montana participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Montana residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Montana University System - Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.
Nebraska participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Nebraska residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.
Nevada participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Nevada residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Nevada System of Higher Education.
New Hampshire participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by New Hampshire residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: NH Department of Education - Division Educator Support of Higher Education.
New Jersey participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by New Jersey residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
New Mexico participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by New Mexico residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: New Mexico Higher Education Department.
New York participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by New York residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: New York Office of College and University Evaluation.
North Carolina participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by North Carolina residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.
North Dakota participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by North Dakota residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: North Dakota University System - Distance Education & State Authorization.
Ohio participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Ohio residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Oklahoma participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Oklahoma residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
Oregon participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Oregon residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
Pennsylvania participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Pennsylvania residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students can file a complaint with their NC-SARA portal agency: Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Puerto Rico participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by students residing in PR should be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students can file a complaint with their NC-SARA portal agency: Consejo de Educación de Puerto Rico.
Rhode Island participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Rhode Island residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner.
South Carolina participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by South Carolina residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
South Dakota participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by South Dakota residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: South Dakota Board of Regents.
Tennessee participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Tennessee residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
Texas participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Texas residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
USVI participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by USVI residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home NC-SARA portal agency: The Virgin Islands Department of Education.
Utah participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Utah residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Utah System of Higher Education.
Vermont participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Vermont residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Vermont Agency of Education.
Virginia participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Virginia residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Washington participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Washington residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Washington Student Achievement Council.
West Virginia participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by West Virginia residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Wisconsin participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Wisconsin residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Wisconsin Distance Learning Authorization Board (DLAB).
Wyoming participates in NC-SARA. Complaints by Wyoming residents must be filed with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC).
Additionally, students may file a grievance with their home state NC-SARA portal agency: Wyoming Community College Commission.
The following territories and protectorates do not currently participate in NC-SARA and have no agencies to address complaints:
- American Samoa
- Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
- Guam
