Student Complaint Process

Complaint Process for Distance Education Students

Last Updated July 2025

Villanova University is approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Participation in NC-SARA enables prospective and current students located in all SARA member states and territories to enroll in approved distance education offered by all six colleges at the University.  

Students enrolled in distance education programs should follow the University’s established internal complaint process.

Students residing in SARA member states and territories who are not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional process can appeal the decision to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by following the Student Complaint Procedures. Please note that complaints about grades and student conduct are governed entirely by Villanova’s institutional policies. For more information on NC-SARA’s policies, please visit the SARA Student Complaints webpage. Students can also contact the appropriate agency in their home state or territory. For a complete list of consumer complaint contact information by state or territory, please reference this list.