State Regulatory Information
State Authorization Compliance
The US Department of Education requires that any institution offering online programs to students who reside outside of its home state must acquire authorization from the states in which students reside. Regulations vary from state to state, as such, federal, state, and institutional policies may limit or prohibit USV’s authorization for delivery of online education to students in certain states. USV will continue to monitor state and federal laws and regulations and if authorization or licensure is or becomes necessary, will promptly seek to obtain such approvals in states in which it enrolls students.
While the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), established a voluntary state-level reciprocity process with comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs, California higher education institutions are not yet eligible to take advantage of the SARA reciprocity agreement if they offer distance education in other states. Therefore, USV must seek authorization in all states in which the university intends to enroll distance education students.
USV does not enroll students from states where the university is not authorized, exempt or otherwise approved to offer distance education programs.
Consumer Complaints
All students are encouraged to utilize the University Grievance and Complaint Policy detailed in the Academic Catalog to informally or formally file complaints. However, any student may contact his or her specific state agency directly to register a complaint. The US Department of Education further requires that USV provide information for submitting complaints to the State authority in which the university’s main campus is located.
University of Silicon Valley is located at 191 Baypointe Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134.
USV is approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 and the California Code of Regulations.
A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about USV with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s internet website (https://www.bppe.ca.gov/).
USV is also required to provide a description of the process for submitting consumer complaints in each State in which enrolled students reside. The complaint process for those states in which USV is authorized, exempt or otherwise approved to offer distance education programs and enrolls students is detailed in the Authorization Information section below.
Impact of Change in Location of Residence
Students must contact USV Admissions to discuss any change in their state of residence prior to relocation. Should a student relocate to a state in which USV is not authorized to provide distance education, continued enrollment cannot be guaranteed. This may also impact a student’s Title IV financial aid eligibility, loan repayment or deferment and/or veteran’s benefits. Students should consult with the Financial Aid Office and/or USV’s Registrar’s Office to determine the impact of a change in location.
Authorization Information
The list below summarizes USV’s authorization status in those states in which the university currently offers distance education programs to that state’s residents; the complaint process for those states in which USV is authorized, exempt or otherwise approved to offer distance education programs; and professional licensure or certification information where applicable.