Resources for Online Students
Welcome to the John Jay Online student hub. We are excited to be part of your educational journey from beginning to end. Here you'll find all your resources to get you to graduation. From advisors to financial aid, this is your one-stop shop. Please send any questions to Ritu Boswell, student success coach.
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NC-SARA Authorization and Student Consumer Complaint Information
John Jay College of Criminal Justice is authorized to deliver online programs to students in states outside New York through participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). SARA is a voluntary agreement among member states, districts, and territories that sets national standards for the interstate offering of postsecondary distance education. Four regional compacts administer the agreement, which is overseen by NC-SARA (National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements).
New York State is a SARA member, and John Jay College is an approved NC-SARA participating institution. This allows us to offer online education to students residing in other SARA member states and territories while adhering to a shared set of quality standards and consumer protections.
Benefits of SARA for Online Students
- Expanded access to educational offerings across state lines
- Improved quality and consistency in distance education programs
- A streamlined process for resolving student complaints
Student Complaint Procedures
If you are enrolled in an online program at John Jay College and reside in a SARA member state, and you have a complaint that has not been resolved through our internal institutional procedures, you may follow these steps:
1. Internal Complaint Process
Students must first follow the College’s established procedures for addressing concerns. Please visit our internal complaint and grievance procedures:
John Jay College Student Grievance Procedures
2. Consumer Protection Complaints under SARA
Under SARA guidelines, consumer protection complaints related to distance education may be submitted after the institution’s internal process has been completed. Please note:
- SARA does not cover complaints related to grades or student conduct violations.
- Students may appeal the institution’s final decision to the New York State Portal Entity within two years of the incident prompting the complaint.
Students may also contact the CUNY Central Office before filing with New York State:
CUNY Office of Legal Affairs
Email: ogc@cuny.edu
Website: CUNY Offices of Legal Affairs
3. NC-SARA Complaint Process
You may file a complaint via NC-SARA’s procedures here:
NC-SARA Student Complaint Process
4. New York State Portal Entity Contact Information
After both the College’s and CUNY’s internal complaint procedures have been exhausted, unresolved SARA-related complaints may be appealed to:
New York State Education Department (NYSED)
Office of College and University Evaluation
Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
Phone: 518-474-1551
Email: IHEAuthorize@nysed.gov
Website: NYSED Complaint Process
For more information regarding NC-SARA and complaint resolution, please visit: