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Post-Secondary Student Complaints
Filing a Complaint with the Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing (CSCL) Bureau is responsible for responding to formal
complaints against authorized public, independent non-profit and proprietary institutions of higher
education providing distance education from Michigan or out-of-state institutions of higher education
providing distance education in Michigan pursuant to 2015 PA 45 (Act). We also investigate complaints
against any other licensed or authorized post-secondary school regulated by CSCL. CSCL has limited
authority over colleges and universities, and cannot offer legal advice or initiate civil court cases; CSCL
staff will review submitted complaints and work with student complainants and institutions.
Before completing a complaint form, please take a moment to read these instructions; they will help
you understand CSCL’s functions.
CSCL has no authority to investigate discrimination: If a student believes that an institution has
acted in a discriminatory manner, he/she may wish to contact the Michigan Department of Civil
Rights (MDCR) at (800) 482-3604. http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr
CSCL has no authority to investigate financial aid issues: Issues with State of Michigan financial
aid should be directed to the Michigan Department of Treasury, Student Financial Services
Bureau at (888) 447-2687 or (517) 373-4897. http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid
Issues with Federal Financial Aid should be directed to the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman
Group of the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Federal Student Aid Information Center,
at (800) 433-3243 or (800) 4FED-AID. http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/contacts.html
CSCL has no authority to investigate complaints related to course grades, academic sanctions
or discipline/conduct matters.
CSCL only has authority to investigate entities regulated by acts administered by CSCL. If a
student believes that a college or university has violated state or federal law, he/she may wish
to contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division at (517)
373-1140. Attorney General Consumer Complaint/Inquiry Filing Information
.
Prior to completing CSCL’s complaint form, students should attempt to resolve their issues with the
institution of higher education they are or have attended.
First, if a student has concerns related to classroom situations or administrative actions, he/she should
contact the faculty or staff member(s) with whom he/she has an issue. It may be possible to resolve the
concerns without the need for formal institutional action.
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Second, if the student’s complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, or if the complaint cannot be resolved
by contacting the faculty or staff member(s), the student should file a complaint through his/her
institution of higher education’s established complaint process. Information on the process can usually
be found in the institution’s academic catalog, student handbook or website.
Third, if the student is unable to resolve the complaint through the institutions complaint process they
can file a complaint with CSCL. If a student wishes to complete and submit a complaint, they should
complete the CSCL complaint form (CSCL complaint form
) and attach any pertinent additional
documentation.
After CSCL receives a completed complaint form, its staff will review the submitted materials and
determine if CSCL has authority to investigate. If CSCL needs additional information or clarifications,
CSCL will contact the complainant. If CSCL has authority to investigate the complaint, they will forward a
copy of the complaint to the institution against which the complaint has been filed and ask for a
response within three weeks. After receiving the institutions response, CSCL staff will determine
whether the institution’s student complaint process has been followed and exhausted and what
additional steps or follow-up may need to be taken. The Department will inform both parties involved in
the complaint of the outcome of the investigation.
WHAT WE CAN DO:
We investigate complaints against authorized public, independent non-profit and proprietary
institutions of higher education providing distance education in or from Michigan, pursuant to
the Act. We also investigate complaints against any other licensed or authorized post-secondary
school regulated by CSCL.
In appropriate cases, we can refer matters to the Michigan Department of Attorney General for
civil actions or criminal prosecution.
CSCL has the authority to do one or more of the following if it determines that a post-secondary
school that holds a license or authorization from CSCL violates an act, a rule, or an order that
CSCL administers:
(a) Place limitation on the authorization.
(b) Suspend the authorization.
(c) Deny an authorization or renewal of the authorization.
(d) Revoke the authorization.
(e) Assess an administrative fine.
(f) Order restitution to an aggrieved student who participated in a distance education program.
(g) Impose any other sanction established by the Department by rule.
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WHAT WE CANNOT DO:
We cannot act as a court of law, so we cannot order damages to be awarded, etc. If you have
this type of problem you should consult an attorney.
We cannot act as your attorney.
We cannot take action in matters involving financial aid, the internal affairs of public,
independent non-profit and proprietary institutions of higher education in Michigan. We only
have jurisdiction over a participating college or out-of-state college as it relates to the delivery
of distance education or complaints against any other licensed or authorized post-secondary
school regulated by CSCL.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US:
Summarize your complaint using these guidelines. Include how you first learned of the
participating college or out-of-state college offering distance education (advertisement,
personal contact).
a. Tell us WHAT happened. Start from the beginning. Be specific as to what was said and who
said it.
b. Tell us WHO was present during these conversations or acts.
c. Tell us WHEN and WHERE these conversations/acts took place.
d. Tell us WHEN and WHERE the money and agreements changed hands.
e. Tell us HOW you know the representations were false.
Attach photocopies of all documents such as contracts, agreements, certificates, notes,
correspondence, legible copies of the front and back of checks involved, advertising,
etc. Documentary evidence is especially important. Please do not send originals; we cannot be
responsible for their safekeeping.
Type
or print clearly in ink.
SEND COMPLETED COMPLAINT FORM TO:
State Of Michigan
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
P.O. Box 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
CSCL/LCE-992 (03/17)
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
P.O. Box 30018, Lansing, MI 48909
Telephone: (517) 241-7000
STATEMENT OF COMPLAINT
COMPLAINANT
: The Department has jurisdiction in only certain matters involving consumers and licensees in the areas listed
below. If the Department has jurisdiction over your allegations, an investigation will be conducted for possible licensing action by the
Department. Your individual remedies should be pursued in the civil courts.
Indicate which of the following the complaint is against:
Alarm System Contractor
Alarm System Provider
Carnival/Amusement Ride
Cemetery (Private) Forensic
Polygraph Examiner
Investment & Securities
Mortuary Science
Professional Investigator
Postsecondary Schools
Pre-Paid Funeral Contract Seller/Provider
Professional Employer Organization
Security Guard Agency
Ski Area
Transportation Company
Unarmed Combat
Vehicle Protection Product Warrantor
* Attach a brief detail of the allegations.
* Attach copies of all documents such as contracts, agreements, certificates, notes, correspondence, legible copies of the front and back of
checks involved, prospectus, advertising, plans or specifications, etc. Please do not send originals; we cannot be responsible for their
safekeeping and they will not be returned.
*The Department may ask you to provide other documents at a later date to support the allegations.
LARA is an equal opportuni
ty employer/program.
Auxiliary aids, services and other reasonable accommodations are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
I understand the information provided will not be returned, will be used for investigative purposes, and may be subject to release under
the Freedom of Information Act.
SIGNATURE
DATE
THE COMPLAINT IS AGAINST INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
Name of Licensee (Company)
Name
Address (Number and Street) Address (Number and Street)
Telephone Number
Telephone Number
Name of Person You Dealt With
E-mail address
License Number (If known)
Are you willing to testify in a hearing?
Yes
No
Zip Code
Zip Code
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