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 as 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 an appropriate regulator. 

Complaint Process for Students Residing in SARA States

Mercer participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) and follows SARA policies for the resolution of student complaints. The Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) serves as Georgia's SARA portal agency (GA-SARA) and requires that a student must first seek internal resolution for a complaint. Only those complaints resulting from distance education courses, activities, and operations provided by Mercer are covered by GA-SARA. Allegations of criminal offenses or alleged violations of a state’s general-purpose laws may be made directly to the relevant state agencies. Below are links to complaint information and the GA-SARA Complaint Form.

SARA Student Complaint Information (from the National Council for SARA)

GA-SARA Complaint Rules

GA-SARA Complaint Form

Complaint Process for Students Residing in Non-SARA States

Distance learners residing in non-SARA states and territories may file complaints with relevant state agencies. This applies the state of California and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. See here for contact information. 

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). The SACSCOC Complaint Policy outlines the process. The complaint form is available here.

Finally, military personnel who receive Tuition Assistance (TA) have an additional complaint process available through Postsecondary Education Complaint System.