Distance Learning for Out-of-State Students

Consumer Protection under SARA

SARA ensures that students enrolled in distance education programs offered by SARA-participating institutions have a clear process for filing consumer protection complaints. The agreement primarily covers complaints related to institutional misrepresentation, fraud, or other deceptive practices.  Examples of consumer protection complaints for SARA purposes include, but are not limited to:

• Veracity of recruitment and marketing materials;
• Accuracy of job placement data;
• Accuracy of information about tuition, fees, and financial aid;
• Complete and accurate admission requirements for courses and programs;
• Accuracy of information about the institution’s accreditation and/or any programmatic/specialized accreditation held by the institution’s programs;
• Accuracy of information about whether coursework meets any relevant professional licensing requirements or the requirements of specialized accrediting bodies;
• Accuracy of information about whether the institution’s course work will transfer to other institutions; and
• Operation of distance education programs consistent with practices expected by our institutional accreditors (Middle States Commission on Higher Education) and, if applicable, programmatic/specialized accreditors.

Student Complaint Process

Westmoreland seeks to ensure that all student complaints are addressed fairly and equitably. Students with a complaint relating to grades or the academic process are advised to follow the procedures listed in the Student Handbook.

Pennsylvania Residents - Student Complaint Contact Information

For Pennsylvania residents seeking to file a complaint against a higher education institution, follow the appropriate procedures to ensure your concerns are addressed effectively.

1. 1. Attempt Resolution at the Institutional Level: Complaints relating to grades or the academic process are advised to follow the procedures listed in the Student Handbook.
   
   
2. 2. Submit Higher Education Complaint to Pennsylvania Department of Education: If your complaint isn't resolved satisfactorily at the institutional level, you can complete and submit a Higher Education Complaint Form to:
   
   Pennsylvania Department of Education
   Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity
   607 South Drive, Floor 3E
   Harrisburg, PA 17120
   ra-highereducation@pa.gov (for submission of form or questions)

SARA and Out-of-State Distance Education Students

Westmoreland County Community College operates its distance education programs under the approval of NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements). Students residing outside of Pennsylvania who are enrolled in Westmoreland’s distance education programs have specific consumer protection rights. NC-SARA consumer protection provisions require the institution’s home state, through its SARA State Portal Entity, to investigate and resolve allegations of dishonesty or fraudulent activity by the state’s SARA-participating institutions. Per NC-SARA guidelines, “Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.”

For more information on the process, review NC-SARA Student Complaint Process. 

Steps for filing a complaint (non-PA Residents)

1. 1. Attempt Resolution at the Institutional Level: Complaints relating to grades or the academic process are advised to follow the procedures listed in the Student Handbook.
   
   
2. 2. Submit Higher Education Complaint to Pennsylvania Department of Education: If all institutional procedures have been followed, all avenues of appeal exhausted, and documentation provided that such procedures have been exhausted and the matter remains unresolved, then students have the right to submit a complaint to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Please note that this SARA distance education complaint procedure does not govern complaints related to grades and general student conduct issues.

State SARA Website

• California
• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands