Higher Education Student Complaints

The Iowa Department of Education accepts higher education student complaints from any student attending an Iowa postsecondary institution, regardless of the student's state of residency, and from an Iowa resident attending any postsecondary institution in the United States.

Iowa postsecondary institutions authorized with the Iowa Department of Education are required to:

  • comply with Iowa Code 261B and/or Iowa Codes 714.18, 714.23 and 714.23
  • comply with Administrative Rule 283.21 
  • follow their internal policies and procedures, and
  • use marketing materials or recruiting practices that are not deceptive, misleading, or inaccurate.

If you believe that a postsecondary institution has not met these authorization requirements, you can file a complaint with the Iowa Department of Education. As a part of the Agency's regulatory oversight, we will investigate and respond to complaints and, if justified, take action. However, the Iowa Department of Education has no authority over institution faculty and staff employment; course grades and content; nor competitive selection

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Common Student Complaint Questions & Answers

Review these questions and answers before submitting a student complaint.

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Student Complaint Process

Bring the problem to the postsecondary institution's attention.

Every institution provides an internal student complaint or grievance process. The Department does not require students to go through their institution’s process prior to submitting a student complaint, though many issues can be resolved once the institution is aware of your concern. Complaint and grievance processes are generally located within the specific college’s student handbook or college catalog.

Determine whether the complaint is within the authority of the Iowa Department of Education.

The Department can only act to assure that institutions comply with the state statutes that we administer. Some issues fall outside of the Department’s jurisdiction. When another state or federal office should address your concern, you will be referred accordingly.

For example, if you feel discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual identity, handicap, age, or membership in a patriotic youth organization we will refer you to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights and/or the Iowa Office of Civil Rights Commission, or the Title IX Coordinator at your institution. 

Student Complaint Form

Fill out and submit the student complaint form. Include as much detail as possible, including the exact nature of the complaint, dates of incidents, names of people at the institution who have been involved, and who you have worked with in trying to resolve the complaint internally, if applicable. Be sure to gather copies of any written documentation. See Common Questions and Answers for more information on details to include.

The Department will:

Review your written complaint 

Department staff will contact the institution, outlining the nature of the allegations and provide the institution with a copy of the complaint. The institution will provide a response regarding the specific situation in the complaint.

If it is determined that the nature of your complaint is not related to the Department’s  requirements or standards, you will be notified in writing that no further action will be taken on your complaint.

Communicate with you

Department staff may ask clarifying questions or gather additional evidence in support of your complaint. We may also seek verification of the complaint from independent sources who may have witnessed events or have other documentation.

Review the institution's response and offer you the opportunity to respond

Department staff will determine whether the institution failed to comply with our state requirements and standards. Department staff may request more information from the institution or from you after we received the institution's response to your complaint.

Take final action on the complaint

If it is determined  that a postsecondary institution did not comply with the Department’s  requirements and standards, Department Staff  will notify you and the institution of any required action necessary to bring the institution into compliance.

Depending on the complexity of the complaint, the process can take up to 45 days from the receipt of the complaint to a determination of final action. The Department strives to maintain a timely resolution, but it may take longer than 45 days to conclude the process.

In an emergency, see additional contacts and resources.

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Additional Contacts & Resources

Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) Website

Office of Civil Rights (OCR) - U.S. Department of Education

  • The OCR office for Iowa is located at:
    Chicago Office
    Office for Civil Rights
    U.S. Department of Education
    John C. Kluczynski Federal Building
    230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor
    Chicago, IL 60604
    Telephone: 312-730-1560
    FAX: 312-730-1576; TDD: 800-877-8339
    Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

List of U.S. Department of Education’s Institutional Accrediting Agencies

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