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Grievance Policy

A grievance is a just or supposed basis for complaint arising out of any alleged unauthorized or unjustified act or decision made by a member of the Grace community that in any way adversely affects the status, rights, or privileges of a student. An aggrieved student may complain to the administration to correct the problem. The burden of proof is on the individual who submits a complaint. The grievance process is not the correct means for appealing disciplinary actions, for contesting a grade, or appealing an academic decision. (See separate policies within the Catalog and/or Student Handbook: Student Disciplinary Policies and Procedures; Article 16, Contesting a Final Grade, or Academic Appeal Process).

Step 1 — Informal Action

Seek resolution first through direct, informal communication with the responsible person (Matthew 18:15). Discussion between those involved is encouraged at all stages, but is essential in the early stages of resolution. Following an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the conflict one on one, students are encouraged to discuss the matter with their faculty mentor or with Student Services, as appropriate. After the student has made every available effort to resolve the conflict in an informal manner, formal action may be taken.

Step 2 – Formal Action

  1. State the grievance in writing (write a complaint) within 60 days of the alleged event and submit the complaint to the Vice President of Student Services. No special form is needed, but the complaint must include:
    • The date you submit the complaint;
    • A description of the grievance that includes all relevant information such as date(s) when the problem was evident, evidence substantiating the grievance, and witnesses; and
    • A proposed resolution, that is, what you want to happen to resolve the grievance.
  2. The Vice President of Student Services has two working days from the date of receipt to forward the grievance to the administrator who will serve as mediator to resolve the matter. Care will be taken to ensure that the mediator has the expertise necessary to resolve the grievance.
  3. The mediator has two working days from the date of receipt to:
    • Send to the student an acknowledgement that briefly summarizes the grievance and informs the student that a resolution will be sent within ten working days, and
    • Forward to the President and Executive Vice President a copy of the grievance and acknowledgement.
  4. The mediator has ten working days from the date of receipt to:
    • Investigate the alleged basis for the complaint;
    • Investigate previous efforts taken to resolve the grievance
    • Investigate any contingencies and take such action that may help resolve the grievance;
    • Send to the aggrieved student a formal response (a statement describing what was or will be done to resolve the grievance); and
    • Forward to the President and Executive Vice President a copy of the formal response.
  5. If the student is satisfied with the formal response, the grievance is resolved.
  6. If the student is not satisfied with the formal response, a request for a hearing may be made to the Grievance Committee, which:
    • Shall be given a copy of the case to date;
    • Shall schedule a hearing date and time within seven working days of the request and notify all concerned (but not necessarily invite them to attend);
    • May invite the student and any witnesses to attend the hearing the student does not have a right to attend;
    • Shall conduct the hearing as informally as possible, while reviewing and evaluating the case;
    • Shall keep its deliberations confidential; and
    • Shall, by majority vote, recommend to the President and Executive Vice President a course of action to finally resolve the grievance.
  7. The President will issue a decision, which shall be final, in writing to the student within three working days of the hearing. The Office of the Vice President of Student Services is tasked with the overall responsibility for collecting and securing documentation, and for ensuring confidentiality of all matters related to any filed grievance or complaint.

In accordance with requirements issued by the U.S. Department of Education, any student who has already followed the Grievance/Complaint Procedures as noted above, and feels the issue is not resolved, may contact our accrediting agency:

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges & Schools (TRACS)

15935 Forest Road, Forest, Virginia 24551
Phone: 434-525-9539
Fax: 434-525-9538
Email: info@tracs.org
Website: tracs.org

OR may make a complaint to the State of Texas by contacting:

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

1801 N. Congress Ave., Suite 12.200, Austin, TX 78701
PO Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711-2788
Main: 512-427-6101 || Fax: 512-427-6127
Student Loans: 800-242-3062

Website: Click Here
Student Complaint Form: Click Here

For states and territories other than Texas:

NC-SARA

Grace School of Theology has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). SARA provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. SARA’s policies help protect students and provide benefits to both states and institutions carrying out distance education in multiple states. Over 2,100 colleges and universities participate in SARA.

Alabama

Alabama Private Licensure Division
Complete the form to file a complaint: Click Here

Alaska

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
PO Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811-050

Website: education.alaska.gov

Arizona

Arizona Department of Education
Phone: (602) 542-5393
Address: 1535 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Website: https://www.azed.gov

Additional Information:
Main Switchboard (800) 352-4558

Arkansas

State of Arkansas
501 Woodlane, Suite 201
Little Rock, AR 72201
Email: tss@arkansas.gov
501-319-6565

State of Arkansas Grievance Form: Click Here

California

Department of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA
95798-0818

Online Complaint submission link: Click Here

Colorado

Colorado Department of Education
1600 broadway, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
Phone & Fax
Main: (303) 862-3001
Fax: (303) 996-1329

Colorado Department of Education: Click Here
Feedback or complaint form: Click Here

Connecticut

Connecticut State Department of Education
450 Columbus Boulevard
Hartford, CT 06103
Phone Number: 860-713-6543

Connecticut State Department of Education: Click Here

Delaware

Delaware Department of Education
401 Federal Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901, USA
Phone: +1 302-735-4000

Delaware Department of Education: delaware.gov
Student Complaint form: Click Here

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Office of the Superintendent of Education
1050 First Street, NE
Washington 20002
Agency Contact Email: osse@dc.gov
Agency Contact Phone: (202) 727-6436

District of Columbia Office of the Superintendent of Education: Click Here
Specialized Education State Complaints Form: Click Here

Florida

Commission for Independent Education 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0400
Or E-mail: CIEINFO@fldoe.org
Or Fax: 850-245-3238

Florida Department of Education: Click Here

Georgia

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission2082 East Exchange Place
TUCKER, GA 30084
Phone: (770) 414-3300
Fax: (770) 414-3309

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission: gnpec.georgia.gov
File a complaint: Click Here

Hawaii

Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program
Student Complaint Process and Form

Website: Click Here

Idaho

Idaho State Board of Education
650 West State Street, 3rd Floor
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208-334-2270
Fax: 208-334-2632
Email: board@osbe.idaho.gov

Student Complaint Procedures: Click Here

Illinois

Students can file a complaint with the state of Illinois via the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s (IBHE) Complaint System or to the IBHE
Address: 431 E. Adams, 2nd Floor Springfield, IL 62701-1404
Complaint Hotline: 217-557-7359

Students can also file a complaint with our accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, using their Complaint Procedures: Click Here

Indiana

Indiana Commission for Higher Education
101 W Ohio St # 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
Phone: +1 317-464-4400

Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Student Complaints: Click Here

Iowa

Iowa College Aid
475 SW Fifth St., Suite D, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515.725.3400 and 877.272.4456
Email: info@iowacollegeaid.gov

Iowa College Aid: Click Here
Complaint Form: Click Here

Kansas

Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612-1368
785.430.4240

PRIVATE POSTSECONDARY COMPLAINT PROCESS: Click Here

Kentucky

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
100 Airport Road, Third Floor, Frankfort KY 40601
Phone: 502-573-1555
Fax: 502-573-1535

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Complaint Form: Click Here

Louisiana

Board of Regents State of Louisiana
1201 N. Third St., Suite 6-200
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (225) 342-4253
Email: ConsumerInfo@ag.louisiana.gov

Student Complaint Process: Click Here

Maine

Maine Department of Education
Special Services Team
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Fax: 624-6641

Filing a Complaint: Click Here

Maryland

MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION
6 North Liberty Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 767-3300
Toll Free: (800) 974-0203

Student Complaint Process: Click Here

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place, Rm. 1401
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 994-6950

Submit a complaint: Click Here

Michigan

Office for Civil Rights Cleveland Office
U.S. Department of Education
1350 Euclind Avenue, Suite 325 Cleveland, OH 44115
Telephone: (216) 522-4970
Fax: (216) 522-2573
Email: ocr.cleveland@ed.gov

Michigan Department of Education: Click Here

Minnesota

Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
Phone: 651.642.0567 or 800.657.3866

File a Complaint: Click Here

Mississippi

Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211
Phone: 601.432.6198

Student Complaint Process: Click Here

Missouri

Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
301 W. High Street P.O. Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469
Phone: (573) 751-2361
Fax: (573) 751-6635
Email: info@dhewd.mo.gov

Student Complaint Process: Click Here

Montana

Montana University System
Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
560 N. Park Ave, PO Box 203201 Helena, MT 59620-3201

Montana University System: Click Here

Nebraska

Office of the Attorney General
2115 State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2682
Fax: (402) 471-3297
Email: ago.consumer@nebraska.gov
Consumer Protection Division (toll-free): (800) 727-6432
Consumer Protection Division – En Espanol: (888) 850-7555

Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education: Click Here

Nevada

Commission on Postsecondary Education
2800 E. St. Louis Avenue Las Vegas,
NV 89104
Phone: 702-486-7330
Fax: 702-486-7340

Student Grievance Policy: Click Here
Commission on Postsecondary Education Complaint Form: Click Here

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street | Concord, NH | 03301-3852
Telephone: (603) 271-3494 | TDD Access: Relay NH 711

New Hampshire Division of Educator Support and Higher Education: Click Here

New Jersey

Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
1 John Fitch Plaza 10th Floor, PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625-0542
Phone: 609-292-4310

Instructions for Filing a Complaint about an Institution of Higher Education: Click Here

New Mexico

New Mexico Higher Education Department
2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4
Santa Fe, NM 87505-2100
Phone: 505-476-8400

Filing a complaint: Click Here

New York

New York State Education Department
New York State Education Building
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234

Filing a Complaint: Click Here

North Carolina

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
140 Friday Center Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: (919) 962-4558

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints: Click Here

North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education
Department 270, 600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck ND 58505- 0610
Phone: 701-328-3180

North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education Private Career School Complaint Procedure: Click Here

Ohio

Ohio Department of Higher Education
25 S Front St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States
Phone: +1 614-466-6000

Oklahoma

655 Research Parkway Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405.225.9100

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education: Click Here
Student Complaint Form: Click Here

Oregon

State of Oregon State Higher Education Coordinating Commission​
3225 25th Street SE
Salem, OR 97302​

Student​ Complaints: Click Here

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of Education
Forum Building
607 South Drive
Harrisburg, PA  17120
Call PDE: 717-783-6788

Submit a question or comment to a bureau or program area at PDE via our contact us form
Student Complaints Complaint Procedure: Click Here

Puerto Rico

Departamento de Estado Oficina de Registro y Licenciamento
de Instituciones de Educación
Calle San José Esq. San Francisco Viejo San Juan
San Juan Puerto Rico 00902-3271
Postal Address:
PO BOX 9023271
San Juan, PR 00902-3271

Tel. (787) 722-2121
Website: Click Here

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
560 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 200
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: 401-736-1100

Student Complaint Form: Click Here

South Carolina

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady St. Suite 400
Columbia, SC 29201
803-737-2260

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education: Click Here
Complaint Form: Click Here

South Dakota

South Dakota Department of Education
800 Governors Dr., Pierre, SD
(605) 773-3134

Website: doe.sd.gov
Complaint Form: Click Here

Tennessee

Tennessee Higher Education Commission Division of Postsecondary State Authorization
Emily House, Executive Director
312 Rosa Parks Ave, 9th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-3605

Website: Click Here
Complaint Form: Click Here

Texas

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
1801 N. Congress Ave., Suite 12.200, Austin, TX 78701
PO Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711-2788
Main: 512-427-6101 | Fax: 512-427-6127
Student Loans: 800-242-3062

Website: Click Here
Student Complaint Form: Click Here

Utah

Utah State Board of Education
PO Box 144200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200
Phone: (801) 538-7500 | (801) 538-7813

Website: schools.utah.gov

Vermont

Vermont Agency of Education
Secretary Daniel M. French
1 National Life Drive, Davis 5
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
Phone: (802) 828-1130 | Fax: (802) 828-6430
Email: aoe.edinfo@vermont.gov
State of Vermont Agency of Education
Website: https://education.vermont.gov/

State of Vermont Agency of Education Complaint Resolution: Click Here

Virginia

State Council of Higher Education fo Virginia
101 N. 14th Street, 10th Floor
James Monroe Building
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-225-2600

Website: Click Here
Complaint Form: Click Here

Washington

Washington State Board of Education
600 Washington Street SE
P.O. Box 47206
Olympia, WA 98504
Phone: 360.725.6025
TTY: 360.664.3631
Email: be@k12.wa.us

Washington State Board of Education: sbe.wa.gov
Contact Form: Click Here

West Virginia

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 Kanawha Boulevard, East – Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-558-2101
Fax: 304-558-1011
Email: chancellor@wvhepc.edu

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission: wvhepc.edu
Student Complaint Process: Click Here

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board
Executive Secretary
Connie Hutchison, PhD
Email: connie.hutchison@wi.gov
Phone: (608) 267-2206

HIGHER EDUCATIONAL AIDS BOARD STATE OF WISCONSIN E-GOVERNMENT
Website: Click Here
Complaint Form: Click Here

Wyoming

Wyoming Department of Education
122 W. 25th St, Ste E200
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-7675

Website: Click Here
STUDENT COMPLAINT PROCESS POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS: Click Here