New York State Education Department

What should you know about Licensed Private Schools and Registered Business Schools

Students of licensed private or registered business schools in the State of New York have the right to file a complaint with the New York State Education Department if they believe that the School or anyone representing the School has acted unlawfully. You may make complaints about the conduct of the School, advertising, standards, and method of instruction, equipment, facilities, qualifications of teaching and management personnel, enrollment agreement, methods of collecting tuition, and other charges, School license or registration, School and student records, and private School agents. The steps you must take to file a complaint are: Write to New York State Education Department at 116 West 32nd Street, 5th Floor, NY, NY 10001, or telephone the Department at 212.643.4760, requesting an interview for the purpose of filing a written complaint. All relevant documents must be brought to the interview. www.highered.nysed.gov/bpss

If you cannot come for an interview, send a letter or call the office to request a complaint form. You must complete and sign this form and mail it to the office. Include with it copies of all relevant documents.

You must file a complaint within two years after the alleged illegal conduct took place. The Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision cannot investigate any complaint made more than two years after the date of the occurrence. In addition to filing a complaint with the Department, you may also try to resolve your complaint directly with the School. Use the School’s internal grievance procedure or discuss your problems with teachers, department heads, or the School Director.

Tuition Reimbursement Fund

The Tuition Reimbursement Fund is designed to protect the financial interest of students attending proprietary schools. If a school closes while you are in attendance, prior to the
completion of your educational program, then you may be eligible for a refund of all tuition expenses you have paid. If you drop out of school prior to completion and you file a complaint against the school with the State Education Department, you may be eligible to receive a tuition refund if the State Education Department is able to provide factual support that your complaint is valid and determine that there was a violation of Education Law or the Commissioner’s Regulations as specified in Section 126.17 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. To file a claim to the Tuition Reimbursement Fund you must first file a complaint with the State Education Department at the address indicated above.

Tuition Refund and Cancellation Policy

All schools must have a tuition refund and cancellation policy for each program included in the catalog and in the student enrollment agreement. Read and understand the school’s policy regarding tuition refund and cancellation before you sign an enrollment agreement. If you do not understand it, or are confused by the school’s explanation, get help before you sign.