Number: INST.B.30.010

An institution affiliated with the Commission either as a candidate or as an accredited institution may voluntarily resign from that affiliation at any time. The resignation must be initiated by the legally designated governing body of the institution and conveyed to the Commission according to procedures provided by the Commission. The effective date for such resignation may not exceed one year from the date of submission to the Commission and such effective date may not be more than eleven (11) years (the maximum interval for reaffirmation of accreditation) from the date of the last reaffirmation of accreditation or four (4) years from the date candidacy was awarded.

The Commission will provide the institution with written acceptance of the institution’s resignation. Once accepted, an institution's resignation is generally irrevocable.

Within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of voluntary resignation, the Commission issues a public disclosure notice that describes the resignation, including the effective date of the resignation, which is available to the public on the Commission’s website. Within ten (10) days the Commission also notifies the U.S. Department of Education and the appropriate state agency and other recognized accrediting agencies regarding the resignation.

The institution must meet all obligations of affiliation until the resignation becomes effective. Voluntary resignation does not release an institution from past and current financial obligations to the Commission.

After resignation, an institution is ineligible for affiliation for a period of one year. If an institution seeks accredited status with HLC following a resignation, it must reapply through the Eligibility Process.

Policy History

Last Revised: February 2020
First Adopted: August 1987 and October 1988
Revision History: revised May 2002, February 2002, renumbered November 2010, April 2013, February 2020
Notes: Policies combined November 2012 – 1.5, 3.8