Skip to main content
Higher Education Authorization

Higher Education Authorization

AROCUEIHEtest001

This webpage provides information relating to complaints about degree-granting colleges or universities.  The Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision website provides information relating to complaints about non-degree granting institutions. 

Resolution with the Institution

The first step is to seek resolution using your college’s or university’s complaint process. In most cases problems can be resolved most quickly and satisfactorily using an institution’s internal procedures. New York colleges and universities are required to establish, publish, and implement procedures for filing complaints. These procedures are commonly available on the institution’s website, in the student handbook, and/or in the academic catalog. Note that grade disputes may only be resolved by the college or university. If you are unable to find your institution's information and procedures for addressing complaints then submit a Complaints Procedures Information Request that includes your institution's name and location.

If your institution is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) or the City University of New York (CUNY) systems, then additional complaint resolution information and processes are available via these central administrations:

State University of New York (SUNY)

Information about addressing complaints relating to institutions that are part of the SUNY system is available on SUNY's Student Concerns webpage.

Complaints may also be sent to the following address:

State University of New York
Central Administration
State University Plaza
Albany, NY 12246

City University of New York (CUNY)

Information about addressing complaints relating to institutions that are part of the CUNY system is available on the CUNY Office of Student Advocacy and Referral (COSAR) website.

Complaints may also be sent to the following address:

City University of New York
Office of the General Counsel
205 East 42nd Street, 11th floor
New York, NY  10017

Is your issue still not resolved after working through your institution’s internal complaint procedures?

Follow the complaint form link below to either submit your complaint information to the NYSED Office of College and University Evaluation (OCUE) or be directed to the appropriate office for further assistance. Please be aware that OCUE does not conduct judicial investigations and does not have the legal authority to require a college or university to comply with a complainant’s request.

Before proceeding, ensure that the complaint meets all of the following criteria:   

  • I have exhausted all complaint/grievance procedures in place at the institution, including all avenues for appeals.
  • My complaint is not related to an individual's grade or examination results.
  • My complaint does not concern actions that occurred more than five years ago.
  • My complaint does not involve matters that are or have been in litigation.

Taking the following steps will facilitate the submission of your complaint:

  • Collect all documentation relating your interactions with the college or university.
  • Clarify all details related to the complaint, e.g., dates, names, or actions taken.
Complaint Form

After submitting the form you will receive an auto-generated email confirming that your complaint information was sent. A member of the OCUE staff will follow up with you about the complaint.