Skip to main content

State Distance Education Complaint Process

Southern New Hampshire University strives at all times to provide the highest quality of service and the best student experience possible. In the event that you have a serious complaint against the University, we wish to make you aware of the appropriate processes to follow.

The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions offering distance education to provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information of the state agency or agencies that handle complaints against postsecondary institutions offering distance learning within that state. Many of the outside agencies will require that all institutional procedures be followed before the concern will be considered. Before contacting one of these agencies, Southern New Hampshire University encourages students to inform the University of their complaints first. We are eager to listen to you to resolve any issues.

Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible after the event occurs. If a student feels that the issue remains unresolved after reasonable effort to follow the University's internal grievance procedures, the student may contact the entities below to file a formal complaint:

  • The New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission has authorized the University to offer associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Information regarding the New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission complaint process can be found on their website: https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-educator-support-and-higher-education.
  • Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). All programs offered by SNHU are encompassed by this accreditation. Information regarding the NECHE complaint process can be found on their website: http://neasc.org/.
  • Appropriate agency in student's state of residence (see list below)
  • New Hampshire's SARA Portal Agency at NH DOE

Out-of-State Complaint Resolution Contacts

Distance education students residing outside of New Hampshire may file a formal complaint with their home state authorizing agency, ideally after exhausting internal avenues, by using the links below: