HLC requires member institutions to provide annual updates on organizational health through the Institutional Update. It is held each year in late February or early March. The 2023 Institutional Update took place February 27–April 7.

In preparation for the Institutional Update, HLC shares a guide in January that includes the Institutional Update questions, definitions of terms and answers to frequently asked questions. 

How HLC Uses the Information Submitted in the Institutional Update

• Some information is used to update the Statement of Accreditation Status that is posted in HLC’s Directory of Institutions.
• Certain financial and non-financial indicators of organizational health are reviewed to determine whether there are any trends that suggest HLC follow-up.
• Some information is collected and monitored in compliance with federal requirements.
• Student enrollment data are used to calculate HLC membership dues.

Note: Some changes to information in the Institutional Update may require review through HLC’s policies and procedures on substantive change. This may be the case for changes to the institution’s active additional locations or branch campuses, or to its contractual arrangements.

Looking Ahead

In an effort to present a more complete picture of the offerings at member institutions, HLC is exploring the feasibility of collecting information regarding institutional program offerings and publishing them in the Institutional Status and Requirements (ISR) Report. More information about this project will be available in the coming years.