Accreditation of Institution and Programs

NC-SARA Student Complaint Process

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) Student Complaint Process

Online Students Enrolled in Illinois Programs

St. John’s College of Nursing has been approved to participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Students taking distance education courses at St. John’s College of Nursing should resolve any issues or complaints with the College first.  If an issue cannot be resolved internally, a student can file a complaint with the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and can follow the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) complaint process. Below are more details.

SARA – the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – provides a streamlined, reciprocity-based process for participating postsecondary institutions to gain approval to offer interstate distance education in SARA member state without individually applying to each state for such approval, subject to certain limitations.* As such, students who are enrolled in online programs, and who have a complaint that is not resolved internally, may turn to the SARA State Portal Entity.

Students must first direct their complaint to St. John’s College of Nursing for investigation and resolution. If the complaint remains unresolved after all institutional procedures have been exhausted, complaints may be directed to the SARA State Portal Entity through the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) website. Students have two years from the date of the incident about which the complaint is made to appeal to the SARA State Portal Entity. Student complaints about grades or student conduct may not be filed to the SARA State Portal Entity. Complaints about fraud or criminal activity under SARA may be sent to the State Attorney General or the State Education Department. Here is the link to the NC-SARA complaint process here. 

*SARA Policy Manual, June 27, 2022; Version 22.1