2021-2022 Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Filing a Complaint Against the College After Completing the College’s Grievance Procedure


After a student has exhausted the college’s complaint or grievance procedures, if a matter remains unresolved, a formal complaint may be filed with the online Student Complaint Portal [opens in a new window](https://studentcomplaints.northcarolina.edu). The Portal is hosted by the Licensure Division of the University of North Carolina System Office.

A student can also complete a printable Student Complaint Form [PDF opens in a new window]  and submit the complaint to:

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina System Office
910 Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2688

For more information, send an email to: studentcomplaint@northcarolina.edu.

The Process After Filing a Complaint

  • The Student Complaint Portal will forward community college student complaints to the North Carolina Community Colleges System Office (NCCCSO). Before initiating an inquiry, the NCCCSO must receive the following:
  • Fully completed and signed student complaint form. (Complaints from students with disabilities must also include an authorization to disclose medical information if the complaint in any way involves alleged discriminatory treatment as a result of the disabilities);
  • Documentation of the student’s completion of the college’s complaint or grievance procedures, including the ultimate outcome after completing the procedures; and
  • Evidence to support the complaint, such as copies of correspondence, enrollment agreements, course catalog information, and any other information believed to be relevant to the matter of the complaint.

Students are required to work through the campus complaint process before escalating issues to the NCCCSO through the Student Complaint Portal.  The NCCCSO cannot offer legal advice to complainants and does not act as a student’s agent, advocate, or attorney. Any information provided by NCCCSO staff is not to be interpreted as legal advice. The scope of the review done by the NCCCSO will be limited to a review of the complaint, ensuring the college processes have been followed, and ensuring that State Board code has been followed. In some cases, the NCCCSO may have a discussion with a college to obtain further details about the complaint.

Consumer Protection Division

Complaints regarding fraud, false advertising, or other violations of State law will be referred to the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice. Students can also file a complaint directly with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice, by visiting the State Attorney General’s consumer complaint page [opens in a new window] (https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/). North Carolina residents may also call (877) 566-7226. Outside of North Carolina, please call (919) 716-6000. En Espanol (919) 716-0058.  If you choose to mail a complaint, please use the following address:

Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General’s Office
Mail Service Center 9001
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001