Student Complaint Policy and Process
Distance Learning Student Complaints
Frostburg State University participates in the Federal student aid programs that are authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Participating institutions must be legally authorized to operate within the state in which they are located.
Title 34 CFR §600.9 requires states to have a process to review and act on complaints concerning the institution, including enforcing applicable State laws. Title 34 CFR §668.43(b) requires that institutions make available for review documents describing accreditation, State, Federal, or tribal approval or licensing. Institutions must also provide contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor, State approval or licensing entity, and other relevant officials.
FSU makes every effort to resolve student complaints internally, using policies and procedures outlined by the University and/or their school/program. Students are expected to fully utilize these processes in a timely manner.
Policies and Processes
- Distance Education Complaints Policy and Process* (not for grade grievances)
- Academic Grade Appeal Policies: see Undergraduate or Graduate catalog
- Admission Appeal Policies: see Undergraduate or Graduate catalog
- Residency Status Appeal: see Undergraduate or Graduate catalog
- Academic Honesty Violations: consult your academic dean
- Non-Discrimination/Equal Opportunity Policy
- Policy on Compliance with Disability Discrimination Laws
- Gender-Based Harassment and Violence Policy
- Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity
- Title IX
- Report Sexual Misconduct
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Student Right to Know
Maryland Residents
Students living in Maryland should contact:
Maryland Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-528-8662 or 888-743-0823 (toll free)
Instructions: MHEC Website
Out-of-State Students
Students taking online courses outside of Maryland should first file a complaint with FSU. If unresolved, students may contact their state’s portal agency. A list is available on the State Higher Education Executive Officers website.
Proposed NC‑SARA Student Complaint Process
Frostburg State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). In accordance with NC‑SARA Policy Manual §4.5 (Student Complaints), students located outside Maryland who are enrolled in distance education programs and who have exhausted all of the institution’s internal complaint procedures may submit a SARA‑related complaint to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), the SARA State Portal Entity for Maryland.
SARA‑related complaints may only be filed after the student has completed the institution’s internal grievance process. Grade appeals and student conduct appeals are not handled through SARA.
Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)
Website: SARA State Portal Entity
Email: sara.mhec@maryland.gov
Accreditation
FSU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; 267-284-5000. View the MSCHE policy on filing complaints.
Note: An asterisk (*) indicates archived PDFs, which may have limited accessibility.