Number: FDCR.A.10.070

Required Information for Students and the Public

An institution demonstrates that it makes available to students and the public fair, accurate and complete information in catalogs, student handbooks, and other publications that include, at a minimum, information about the institution’s calendar, grading, admissions, academic program requirements, tuition and fees, and refund policies.

Information About Student Achievement

An institution’s information for students and the public shall include information regarding student achievement. This information shall include student retention rates, completion rates or other information appropriate for the mission of the institution and its goals for students.

Advertising and Recruiting Materials and Other Public Information

An institution’s public information including its advertising and recruiting materials shall evidence the same fairness and accuracy HLC expects in an institution’s catalog and other documents for students.

Disclosure of Accreditation Status

If the institution chooses to reference its accreditation status in advertising and recruiting materials or other document or location, such as its website, that disclosure will accurately explain its status with HLC and the academic programs, locations and other institutional activities included in its accreditation. This obligation includes accurately disclosing when an action affecting its accreditation status has been taken by any other institutional or programmatic accrediting body. Institutions under HLC sanction shall comply with additional disclosure requirements pertaining to the applicable sanction as described elsewhere in these policies and as required by HLC’s Board of Trustees.

The institution will accompany any reference to accreditation status with information on how to contact HLC. It shall provide HLC’s address and telephone number, or it may use HLC’s website address in lieu of this information. Electronic materials shall use HLC’s collective membership mark. HLC reserves the right to issue a public statement or Public Disclosure Notice (PDN) correcting any incorrect or misleading information HLC determines that an institution has publicized about its accreditation status, recent actions by HLC or other information.

Public Opportunity to Comment

HLC shall seek comment from third parties about institutions being evaluated through a comprehensive evaluation.

Policy History

Last Revised: November 2020
First Adopted: August 1990, February 1996, and June 2012
Revision History: Adopted August 1990, revised August 1996, effective September 1996, renumbered February 2010, revised and renumbered June 2012, October 2014; revised June 2019, effective September 1, 2019; revised November 2020
Notes: Policies combined November 2012 – 4.0(f), 4.0(g), 4.0(j). In February 2021, references to the Higher Learning Commission as “the Commission” were replaced with the term “HLC.”