Student Complaints

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has the authority to investigate student complaints against specific schools. WSAC does not have investigation authority over every school and may not be able to investigate every complaint.

Students using funds administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may send a complaint directly to the VA.
For information on student loans, visit the Student Loan Advocate webpage. To ask a question or file a complaint about your loans, use the Washington State Student Complaint Portal below.
For issues related to discrimination, contact the Washington State Human Rights Commission.
For complaints against a K-12 school, please contact the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, please contact the free and confidential 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Before submitting a complaint form, please note the following:

The complaint must be within WSAC's jurisdiction. A student must also provide proof of completing the school's complaint process - including any provisions for appeals.
WSAC cannot investigate complaints regarding grades, disciplinary actions, or conduct unless a student can prove that the school has not followed published procedures or policies.
WSAC will not accept anonymous complaints or complaints that are currently in litigation.

Please note that copies of complaints may be made available to the school involved and to other federal, state, or private agencies. Copies will also be made available to members of the public upon request, with personally identifiable information removed.

Start the process.

A staff member will contact the student after receiving a complaint info form.

Foundation - Student Complaints

The Degree-Granting Institutions Act began in 1979 as the Educational Services Registration Act (ESRA) under the Council for Postsecondary Education. It became the Degree-Granting Institutions Act in 1986. RCW 28B.85 provides the broad guidelines for what is considered operation in the state, as well as the standards for operation. WAC 250-61 provides the specific definitions for operation in the state as well as the requirements and standards for degree authorization.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offerings of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. As a participating state, Washington is required to investigate complaints by students in distance learning programs made available by Washington schools to residents in other states.

The U.S. Department of Education requires states to have a process to review and act appropriately on complaints. See 34 CFR 600.9(a)(1), State Authorization. Some schools have signed a memorandum of agreement with WSAC to meet this requirement.