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.
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.
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.
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.
The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education has determined USV meets the criteria for exemption from the authorization provisions of AS 14.48, per regulation 20 AAC 17.015(a)(8) because the programs are online, or distance delivered, and USV does not have a physical presence in the state.
The university is not subject to Alaska specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
PO Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811-0505
The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) processes complaints alleging violations of state institutional authorization law relative to postsecondary institutions or programs in Alaska. The complaint investigation process is described in AS 14.48.130 and 20 AAC 17.130-145. A student is encouraged to pursue the complaint/grievance process at their institution prior to contacting ACPE. This process is outlined in the institution’s catalog. To request a complaint form, please send an email to: EED.ACPE-IA@alaska.gov.
USV’s refund policy meets the requirements set forth by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
1740 W. Adams, Suite 3008
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 542-5709
If the student complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting USV’s grievance procedures, students may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education. The student must contact the State Board for further details.
University of Silicon Valley is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). 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.
California Education Code § 94934 and California Code of Regulations § 74110 require institutions to submit an annual report to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by December 1, annually.
USV’s refund policy, as required by the BPPE, can be found in the academic catalog.
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
Phone: (916) 431-6959
Toll Free: (888) 370-7589
A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about USV with the BPPE by completing the Bureau’s Online Complaint Submission. For assistance with filing a complaint, BPPE can be contacted at bppe.enforcement@dca.ca.gov or by calling (888) 370-7589.
USV does not have physical presence in Colorado and, therefore, is not required to seek formal authorization. The Colorado Department of Higher Education policy permits out-of-state institutions to enroll Colorado residents into online courses and programs without requiring authorization so long as there is not physical presence in the state.
The university is not subject to Colorado specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Colorado Commission on Higher Education
1600 Broadway Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 862-3001
The Colorado Commission on Higher Education complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the Colorado Office of the Attorney General.
The Florida Commission for Independent Education does not require licensure of distance education programs if there will be no physical presence in Florida as defined by s. 1005.02(14), F.S. The Commission has determined that USV does not have a physical presence in Florida and is not required to be licensed.
The university is not subject to Florida specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Florida Commission for Independent Education
325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Email: cieinfo@fldoe.org
The Florida complaint process does not apply to USV; therefore, please direct any complaints to the Florida Office of the Attorney General.
USV meets the criteria for exemption based on the HPEAP’s statute, HRS Chapter 305J because the programs are online, or distance delivered, and USV does not have a physical presence in the state.
The university is not subject to Hawaii specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program
King Kalakaua Building
335 Merchant Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 586-7372
Email: hpeap@dcca.hawaii.gov
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program complaint process does not apply to USV; therefore, please direct any complaints to the State of Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection.
USV does not have physical presence in Idaho and, therefore, is not required to seek formal registration. The Idaho State Board of Education policy permits out-of-state institutions to enroll Idaho residents into online courses and programs without requiring registration so long as there is not physical presence in the state.
The university is not subject to Idaho specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Idaho State Board of Education
650 West State Street, 3rd Floor
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208-334-2270
Fax: 208-334-2632
Email: board@osbe.idaho.gov
The Idaho State Board of Education complaint process does not apply to USV; therefore, please direct any complaints to the Idaho Office of the Attorney General.
USV does not have physical presence in Illinois and, therefore, is not required to seek formal authorization.
The university is not subject to Illinois specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Illinois Board of Higher Education
1 North Old State Capitol Plaza,
Suite 333
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1377
Phone: (217) 782-2551
Fax: (217) 782-8548
TTY: (888) 261-2881
The Illinois Board of Higher Education complaint process does not apply to USV; therefore, please direct any complaints to the Illinois Office of the Attorney General.
USV does not have physical presence in Illinois and, therefore, is not required to seek formal authorization.
The university is not subject to Iowa specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Iowa Office of Civil Rights
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50321
Phone: (515) 281-4121
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners complaint process does not apply to USV; therefore, please direct any complaints to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
USV is exempt from the Board of Regents of the State of Louisiana.
The university is not subject to Louisiana specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Board of Regents of the State of Louisiana
1201 N. Third St., Suite 6-200
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (225) 342-4253
The Louisiana Board of Regents complaint process complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General.
The Maine Department of Education has authorized USV by means of exemption to provide postsecondary distance education programs to Maine citizens as we do not have a physical presence in the state.
The university is not subject to Maine specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Phone: (207) 624-6856
The Maine Department of Education complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the Maine Office of the Attorney General.
The Missouri Department of Higher Education has determined that USV is not required to seek approval status at this time.
The university is not subject to Missouri specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
301 W. High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: (573) 751-2361
Email: info@dhewd.mo.gov
Prior to filing a complaint with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, the MDHEWD requires that students exhaust all avenues with the institution. If all institutional avenues have been exhausted, students may call the MDHEWD at (573) 751-2361 to indicate their desire to file a complaint.
USV has been determined by the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education to meet the criteria for exemption from the authorization provisions. The programs offered in the state at this time do not trigger a physical presence which would require formal registration with the state.
The university is not subject to Nevada specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
2800 E. St. Louis
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
Phone: (702) 486-7330
Fax: (702) 486-7340
The Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the Nevada Office of the Attorney General.
USV meets the criteria for exemption based on the N.H. Code of Administrative Rules, Hedc 401.01 and 402.01 because the programs are online or distance delivered and USV does not have a physical presence in the state.
The university is not subject to New Hampshire specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-0257
The New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Educator Support and Higher Education complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the New Hampshire Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau.
USV meets the criteria for exemption based on the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) Title 9A – Higher Education. The programs offered in the state at this time do not trigger a physical presence which would require formal registration with the state.
The university is not subject to New Jersey specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE)
1 John Fitch Plaza
10th Floor, PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: (609) 292-4310
The New Jersey State Board of Education complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
The North Dakota University System has determined USV meets the criteria for approval from the authorization provisions under the North Dakota Century Code 15-18.1-17. Approved institutions have met minimal operational standards set forth by the state, but does not constitute accreditation, guarantee the transferability of credit, nor signify that such programs are certifiable by a professional agency or organization. State Authorization is separate from program licensing board approval and/or endorsement.
The university is not subject to North Dakota refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
North Dakota University System
10th Floor, State Capitol
600 East Boulevard Ave, Dept. 215
Bismarck, ND, 58505
Phone: (866) 457-6387
The North Dakota University complaint process does not apply to USV; therefore, please direct any complaints to the North Dakota Office of the Attorney General.
USV’s programs that are distance delivered meet the criteria for exemption from the authorization provisions set forth by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
The university is not subject to Ohio specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Ohio Department of Higher Education
25 South Front Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-728-3095
The Ohio Department of Education complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the Ohio Office of the Attorney General.
USV meets the criteria for exemption based on the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Institutional Accreditation and State Authorization Policy 3.1. Online programs with no physical presence in the state do not undergo a formal registration with the state.
The university is not subject to Oklahoma specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405-225-9154
The Oklahoma State Regents complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General.
USV meets the criteria for exemption based on the South Dakota Codified Law 13-48-43 because the programs are online, or distance delivered, and USV does not have a physical presence in the state. Online programs with no physical presence in the state do not undergo a formal authorization process.
The university is not subject to South Dakota specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
South Dakota Secretary of State
Capitol Building
500 East Capitol Avenue Ste 204
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: (605) 773-3537
Fax: (605) 773-6580
The South Dakota Commission on Higher Education complaint process does not apply to USV. As required per SDCL 13-48-40, please direct any complaints to the Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Protection.
USV meets the criteria for exemption based on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission from the authorization provisions of Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004 and Rule 1540-01-02-.05 because the programs are online, or distance delivered, and USV does not have a physical presence in the state.
The university is not subject to Tennessee specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
312 Rosa Parks Ave, 9th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-3605
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the Tennessee Office of the Attorney General.
The university is not subject to South Dakota specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
South Dakota Secretary of State
Capitol Building
500 East Capitol Avenue Ste 204
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: (605) 773-3537
Fax: (605) 773-6580
The South Dakota Commission on Higher Education complaint process does not apply to USV. As required per SDCL 13-48-40, please direct any complaints to the Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Protection.
USV is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code; therefore, a license or exemption from the Texas Workforce Commission is not required.
USV has qualified for an exemption as defined in Chapter 7.3 of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s rules from certain, but not all, regulations and has been granted a Certificate of Authorization for programs containing a clinical, internship or field-based educator training.
The university is not subject to Texas specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Texas Workforce Commission
(800) 628-5115
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
PO box 12788
Austin, TX 78711
Phone: (512) 427-6101
Fax (512) 427-6127
The Texas Workforce Commission and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board complaint processes do not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
USV is exempt from a State Authorization Certificate by the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.
The university is not subject to Utah specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Utah Division of Consumer Protection
160 E. 300 S.
SLC, UT 84114-6704
101 N. 14th Street, 10th Floor
Phone: (801) 530-6604
Email: consumerprotection@utah.gov
Please direct any complaints to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.
USV is exempt from a State Authorization Certificate by the Vermont Agency of Education.
The university is not subject to Vermont specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Vermont Agency of Education
Complaint Resolution of Postsecondary Schools
Cassandra Ryan, Director of Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
Vermont Agency of Education
1 National Life Drive, Davis 5
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
(802) 828-5535
cassandra.ryan@vermont.gov
The Washington Student Achievement Council has reviewed our institution and has determined that USV does not require licensure of distance education programs if there will be no physical presence in the state. Given the purely online and distance education format of the programs offered in the state, we are not required to be licensed.
The university is not subject to Washington specific refund policies. The university’s refund policy can be found in the academic catalog.
Washington Student Achievement Council
917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98502
Phone: (360) 753-7800
The Washington Student Achievement Council complaint process does not apply to USV. Please direct any complaints to the Washington Office of the Attorney General.
