Information for Students

Tips on Selecting an Approved School

Determine your career and/or academic goal and narrow your search to schools that offer programs in your field of interest.
Verify the schools are approved by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.
Prior to enrolling, take a tour of the schools, interview students in the programs, ask if the schools will allow you to sit in and observe the classes or courses of interest.
Request a copy of the student catalog and enrollment agreement to review all binding terms (school withdrawal, termination and refund policies), conditions, costs and student disclosures.
Contact the accrediting agency that a school may claim to have accreditation from and verify the school’s claims.
Contact the Department of Consumer Protection and Better Business Bureau to inquire about complaints filed against the school.
Review all advertising carefully and compare what is being advertised with what is disclosed in the school’s catalog and course syllabus.
Request to see the school’s student completion and job placement rates.
Be aware that a school may provide job placement services but cannot guarantee employment.
Find out what documentation the school requires from you.
Make sure you know the amount and types of financial aid you will need before you enroll.
Get everything in writing and signed by a school official.
Keep a copy of all your documents.
Enjoy your educational experience!

Request a Transcript

All requests for student transcripts for records the Department holds, must be made by the student in writing. Complete the request form, including a phone number, and mail it to the attention of the Transcript Release Officer at the Department of Higher Education, 61 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105. Allow up to 14 days for our response.

Complaint Procedures

No school shall have any policy nor shall act in any manner which discourages or prohibits the filing of inquiries or complaints regarding the school’s operation with the Connecticut Commissioner of Higher Education.
Regarding school inquiries or complaints, please refer to the complaint policy displayed by your school.
If after contacting the school official about a complaint, it has not been resolved to your satisfaction, please contact the Department of Higher Education at 860-947-1816.
Complete the following form, POSA CP-2.pdf, FERPA release (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), provide supporting documentation, and mail it to the Department for investigation.
A copy of the complaint will be sent to the school and a response will be required within 20 days of receipt by the school.
The Department will review the complaint and response, and, if necessary, request additional information be provided by either party.
Following a full and complete review of all available information, the Department will determine if the school has complied with Connecticut’s General Statutes, and recommend a resolution to all parties.
Please note, if either party disagrees with the decision by the Department of Higher Education, they can pursue the matter in Connecticut Superior Court or through other legal means.

What To Do If A School Closes

The student should contact the Department of Higher Education if a school closes.
Visit the Department of Higher Education website for special instructions related to the specific school closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Private Occupational School? It is a person, board, association, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity offering instruction in any form or manner in any trade, industrial, commercial or service occupation for any remuneration, consideration reward or promise of whatever nature.
What is the role of the Connecticut Department of Higher Education? As charged by statute, the Department is to maintain standards of quality, assure the fullest possible use of available resources, promote responsiveness to economic, societal and student needs, apply higher education's resources to the problems of society, offer learning and training opportunities key to the state's development, protect academic freedom, and ensure educational opportunity.
What types of schools does our Department authorize? The Department has approved a variety of schools that provide vocational training which can lead to entry level employment. These schools range from offering programs in electronics, automotive, dog grooming, bartending, certified nurses aid, and massage therapy.
What is the tuition refund and cancellation policy? All schools must have a tuition refund and cancellation policy for each program offered. Read and understand the schools policy regarding tuition refund and cancellation before you sign the enrollment agreement. If you do not understand it, or are confused by the schools’ explanation, get help before you sign. You may contact our Department for assistance.
What should I know about private occupational school “recruiters”? Recruiters are employed by the school for the purpose of enrolling students in the school; they are not school counselors. A recruiter cannot require a student to pay a placement or referral fee. Each recruiter must be provided to the Department on the school’s roster.
What should I know about grants and guaranteed student loans? A grant is awarded to a student based on income eligibility, and does not need to be repaid (for example, Pell grants are provided by the federal government). Guaranteed student loans are low interest loans provided under the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program. The decision to apply for such a loan is yours – the school cannot require you apply for a loan. You should understand that if you pay school tuition with money loaned to you from a lender you are responsible for repaying the loan in full, with interest, in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement. A failure to repay the loan can hurt your credit rating and result in legal action against you and also prohibit you from qualifying for federal financial aid in the future. It is your right to select a lender for a guaranteed student loan. The school cannot require you to apply to a particular lender or lending institution. However, the school can recommend a lender, but if it does, the school must also provide you with a statement about your right and ability to obtain a loan from another lender and the origination fees charged on these loans. Read and understand all the information and applications for federal aid grants and loans before signing.
Will my credits from a private occupational school transfer to other schools? The acceptance of credits from another institution is always at the discretion of the receiving institution. For more information, contact the institution you are considering attending.
At what intervals are school authorizations renewed? All schools must receive one initial authorization followed by three annual renewal visits. Following the final annual visit, a school may be eligible for an extended authorization of not more than five years.
What is the difference between authorization and accreditation? A school receives approval/authorization by the Connecticut Commissioner of Higher Education to operate in the State of Connecticut. This is the first level of approval. Once a school receives the Commissioner’s approval, it may voluntarily apply for accreditation by an independent accrediting council that has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation is a separate approval process where the school meets an independent accrediting council’s evaluation standards. A school that has met the independent accrediting council’s evaluation standards and has received accreditation, may apply to the federal government to participate in Title IV financial aid.

Information for Students

Determine your career and/or academic goal and narrow your search to schools that offer programs in your field of interest.

Verify the schools are approved by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.

Prior to enrolling, take a tour of the schools, interview students in the programs, ask if the schools will allow you to sit in and observe the classes or courses of interest.

Request a copy of the student catalog and enrollment agreement to review all binding terms (school withdrawal, termination and refund policies), conditions, costs and student disclosures.

Contact the accrediting agency that a school may claim to have accreditation from and verify the school’s claims.

Contact the Department of Consumer Protection and Better Business Bureau to inquire about complaints filed against the school.

Review all advertising carefully and compare what is being advertised with what is disclosed in the school’s catalog and course syllabus.

Request to see the school’s student completion and job placement rates.

Be aware that a school may provide job placement services but cannot guarantee employment.

Find out what documentation the school requires from you.

Make sure you know the amount and types of financial aid you will need before you enroll.

Get everything in writing and signed by a school official.

Keep a copy of all your documents.

Enjoy your educational experience!

Complaint Procedures

No school shall have any policy nor shall act in any manner which discourages or prohibits the filing of inquiries or complaints regarding the school’s operation with the Connecticut Commissioner of Higher Education.

Regarding school inquiries or complaints, please refer to the complaint policy displayed by your school.

If after contacting the school official about a complaint, it has not been resolved to your satisfaction, please contact the Department of Higher Education at 860-947-1816.

Complete the following form, POSA CP-2.pdf, FERPA release (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), provide supporting documentation, and mail it to the Department for investigation.

A copy of the complaint will be sent to the school and a response will be required within 20 days of receipt by the school.

The Department will review the complaint and response, and, if necessary, request additional information be provided by either party.

Following a full and complete review of all available information, the Department will determine if the school has complied with Connecticut’s General Statutes, and recommend a resolution to all parties.

Please note, if either party disagrees with the decision by the Department of Higher Education, they can pursue the matter in Connecticut Superior Court or through other legal means.

Will my credits from a private occupational school transfer to other schools? The acceptance of credits from another institution is always at the discretion of the receiving institution. For more information, contact the institution you are considering attending.

At what intervals are school authorizations renewed? All schools must receive one initial authorization followed by three annual renewal visits. Following the final annual visit, a school may be eligible for an extended authorization of not more than five years.