Resources

• State schools
• Licensed in-state schools
• Licensed out-of-state schools
• How to identify a reputable college
• How to get a copy of your GED or college transcript
• How to file a consumer complaint
• Accreditation and licensure
• What to expect if a college loses its license and must close
• Contacts for closed institutions

 

Consumer Protection

Going to college, or back to college, can be one of the most important decisions in a Kentuckian’s life. However, not all colleges offering degrees are legitimate organizations. From poor academic quality to inflated tuition rates to phony loan programs, scams are prevalent. The Council is dedicated to protecting consumers from these types of deceptive and predatory business practices, whether the school is physically located in Kentucky or offering online programs to residents.

Helping Students Resolve Issues

By state law, the Council cannot act as a private attorney or provide legal advice to citizens. However, Council staff mediates and investigates consumer complaints against higher education institutions that violate either Council policies or Kentucky law.

The Council is also committed to helping students and their families make wise choices when selecting a school. The office provides a number of online resources designed to help Kentuckians become savvy higher education consumers.

Helpful Links

• How to identify a reputable college
• How to get a copy of your GED or college transcript
• How to file a consumer complaint
• Accreditation and licensure
• What to expect if a college loses its license and must close
• Contacts for closed institutions

Ensuring Quality Institutions

In addition to mediating disputes, the Council licenses private colleges and universities to advertise and operate in Kentucky. Licensure is a vigorous process conducted by staff to ensure institutions providing education opportunities to Kentuckians meet certain academic, financial and procedural requirements. Once an institution is licensed, it undergoes a yearly review to ensure that it still complies with state requirements.

When an institution loses its license, the Council helps facilitate the closure by:

• Approving a receiver for records, as designated by the closing campus.
• Providing access to resources to help with successful transfers to another campus or institution.

The Council also evaluates the academic quality of the degree programs offered by Kentucky’s public institutions. The process ensures that academic programs offered by the Commonwealth’s state universities and KCTCS are consistent with state and institutional strategic priorities, academic quality measures, market demand and cost.