Student Complaints and Grievances

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is committed to addressing student concerns promptly, fairly, and consistently. This page describes how to submit a complaint or grievance, and how to escalate a concern to an external agency if it cannot be resolved internally.

Step 1: Resolve Your Concern Internally

Most concerns are best resolved at the lowest possible level. Students are encouraged to begin by speaking directly with the faculty member, staff member, or office involved. If that does not result in a satisfactory resolution, students may proceed through the College’s formal complaint process.

CCS Compliant Policy
CCS Compliant Form

Questions about which process applies to your situation? Contact Dan Long, Assistant Vice President of Campus Life and Dean of Students – [email protected] or 313-664-7475

Step 2: External Complaint Agencies

If your complaint cannot be resolved through the College’s internal process, you may contact the appropriate external agency listed below. Students are generally expected to exhaust CCS’s internal complaint process before filing with an external agency, except where indicated otherwise.

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

The College for Creative Studies is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Complaints related to CCS’s compliance with HLC accreditation standards may be submitted directly to HLC.

Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
Phone: (800) 621-7440
File a complaint with HLC

Note: HLC does not intervene in individual disputes such as grade appeals, tuition disputes, financial aid decisions, or disciplinary matters. HLC complaints are limited to potential non-compliance with accreditation requirements.

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) — Post-Secondary Schools

For complaints related to post-secondary school activities and consumer protection matters, students may also contact the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Michigan LEO — Post-Secondary Schools Section
Elliott-Larsen Building
320 S. Walnut Street, P.O. Box 30805
Lansing, MI 48933
Email: [email protected]
Consumer Information and Complaint Forms

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) — Distance Education Students

The College for Creative Studies participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). If you are a student residing outside Michigan and enrolled in a distance education program, and your complaint has not been resolved through CCS’s internal process, you may file a complaint with Michigan’s SARA State Portal Entity:

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO)
SARA State Portal Entity Contact:
James R. Farhat, State Administrative Manager
Elliott-Larsen Building, P.O. Box 30805, Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 256-8670
Email: [email protected]

Alternatively, you may submit a complaint directly through the NC-SARA student complaint process:

NC-SARA Student Complaint Process

Note: SARA complaints apply only to distance education activities. Complaints about in-state operations are handled under Michigan’s standard provisions above.

U.S. Department of Education

For complaints related to federal financial aid, student loan disputes, or other Title IV program concerns, students may contact the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Student Aid (FSA) Ombudsman
U.S. Department of Education
830 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20202
Toll-Free: (877) 557-2575
Federal Student Aid Help Center — fsahelp.ed.gov

For complaints about institutional compliance with federal regulations more broadly:

U.S. Department of Education — Feedback and Complaints

Institutional Records of Student Complaints

In accordance with requirements of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC Federal Compliance Policy FDCR.A.10.030) and 34 CFR §602.16(a)(1)(ix), the College for Creative Studies maintains records of all formal student complaints received and their resolution. These records are reviewed regularly to identify opportunities for institutional improvement and are made available to HLC peer reviewers during accreditation evaluations.