an accredited university
accredited by the accrediting council for independent colleges and schools (acics) to award certificate, diploma, associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, stratford university delivers quality education to students. acics is listed as a national recognized accreditation agency by the u.s. department of education.
stratford is also accredited by the american culinary federation education foundation (acfef), assuring that we meet the standards and competencies set for faculty, curriculum, and student services.
stratford university is certified to operate by the state council of higher education for virginia (schev) to operate campuses in virginia.
the undergraduate and graduate programs are approved for federal student financial aid by the u.s. department of education. the university has the authority to issue i-20s by the u.s. immigration and naturalization service for f-1 visas. all programs have been approved for the training of veterans. the virginia and the district of columbia rehabilitation services approve all programs.
the maryland higher education commission (mhec) has approved stratford university to operate a campus in baltimore, maryland. stratford university carefully monitors developments in maryland state law and acts promptly to meet all requirements.
the bsn program of the school of nursing, stratford university, is accredited by the commission on collegiate nursing education (www.aacnnursing.org/ccne). the stratford university woodbridge campus nursing program has full approval by the virginia board of nursing. the alexandria campus nursing programs are on initial approval by the virginia board of nursing.
the accrediting bureau of health education schools (abhes) accredits the associate of applied science in medical assisting program at the falls church and woodbridge campuses. abhes is recognized by the united states secretary of education for the accreditation of private, postsecondary institutions in the united states. abhes is located at 7777 leesburg pike, suite 314n, falls church, va 22043, (703) 917-9503, www.abhes.org.
a copy of the documentation describing the institution’s licensure, registration, authorization, or certification is made available to any enrolled or prospective student upon request. to make this request contact stratford university compliance manager: compliance@stratford.edu.
under the aegis of the state authorization reciprocity agreements (sara) stratford university accepts oversight by the state council of higher education in virginia (schev) for students enrolled in distance education courses or programs.
on october 17, 2014, the southern regional education board (sreb) approved virginia as a member state to participate in national council for state authorization reciprocity agreements (nc-sara), and on february 25, 2015, stratford university became an institutional participant in the nc-sara initiative. with this membership, stratford university programs were automatically available to students who reside in the 49 participating states. only california has not yet joined the nc-sara initiative. stratford university is authorized to deliver out-of-state educational activities in 49 states. therefore, students located in sara states are authorized to enroll in any online or face to face stratford university programs and courses.
california: in july 2017, the bureau began requiring for-profit institutions, regardless of physical presence, to register with the bppe and collect student tuition recovery fund (strf) assessments from students. stratford university completed registration with the ca bppe on april 23, 2018 and is approved to offer distance education programs to ca residents.
the state of california established the student tuition recovery fund (strf) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a california resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the strf, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a california resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.
you are not eligible for protection from the strf and you are not required to pay the strf assessment, if you are not a california resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.
it is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. questions regarding the strf may be directed to the bureau for private postsecondary education, 2535 capitol oaks drive, suite 400, sacramento, ca 95833, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.
to be eligible for strf, you must be a california resident or are enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the strf assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:
to qualify for strf reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from strf.
a student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of non collection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from strf for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. if it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law. however, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.
note: authority cited: sections 94803, 94877 and 94923, education code. reference: section 94923, 94924 and 94925, education code.
bureau for private postsecondary education
2535 capitol oaks drive, suite 400
sacramento, ca 95833
phone: 916-431-6959
filing a complaint
under the aegis of the state authorization reciprocity agreements (sara) stratford university accepts oversight by the state council of higher education in virginia (schev) for students enrolled in distance education courses or programs.
on october 17, 2014, the southern regional education board (sreb) approved virginia as a member state to participate in national council for state authorization reciprocity agreements (nc-sara), and on february 25, 2015, stratford university became an institutional participant in the nc-sara initiative. with this membership, stratford university programs were automatically available to students who reside in the 49 participating states. only california has not yet joined the nc-sara initiative. stratford university is authorized to deliver out-of-state educational activities in 49 states. therefore, students located in sara states are authorized to enroll in any online or face to face stratford university programs and courses.
authorization for fully online programs
alabama
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with alabama regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
alaska
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with alaska regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
american samoa
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with american samoa regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
arizona
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with arizona regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
arkansas
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with arkansas regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
california*
stratford university completed registration with the ca bppe on april 23, 2018 and is approved to offer distance education programs to ca residents.
colorado
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with colorado regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
connecticut
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with connecticut regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
delaware
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with delaware regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
district of columbia
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with district of columbia regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
florida
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with florida regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
georgia
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with georgia regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
guam
stratford university does not have physical presence as defined by the regulations in the u.s. territories therefore, stratford university is in compliance to offer online/distance learning programs to residents of the u.s. territories.
hawaii
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with hawaii regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
idaho
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with idaho regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
illinois
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with illinois regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
indiana
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with indiana regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
iowa
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with iowa regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
kansas
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with kansas regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
kentucky
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with kentucky regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
louisiana
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with louisiana regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
maine
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with maine regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
maryland
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with maryland regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
massachusetts
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with massachusetts regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
michigan
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with michigan regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
minnesota
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with minnesota regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
mississippi
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with mississippi regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
missouri
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with missouri regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
montana
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with montana regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
nebraska
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with nebraska regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
nevada
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with nevada regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
new hampshire
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with new hampshire regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
new jersey
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with new jersey regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
new mexico
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with new mexico regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
new york
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with new york regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
north carolina
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with north carolina regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
north dakota
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with north dakota regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
northern mariana islands*
stratford university does not have physical presence as defined by the regulations in the u.s. territories therefore, stratford university is in compliance to offer online/distance learning programs to residents of the u.s. territories.
ohio
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with ohio regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
oklahoma
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with oklahoma regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
oregon
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with oregon regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
pennsylvania
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with pennsylvania regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
puerto rico*
stratford university does not have physical presence as defined by the regulations in the u.s. territories therefore, stratford university is in compliance to offer online/distance learning programs to residents of the u.s. territories.
rhode island
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with rhode island regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
south carolina
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with south carolina regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
south dakota
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with south dakota regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
tennessee
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with tennessee regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
texas
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with texas regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
u.s. virgin islands
stratford university does not have physical presence as defined by the regulations in the u.s. territories therefore, stratford university is in compliance to offer online/distance learning programs to residents of the u.s. territories.
utah
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with utah regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
vermont
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with vermont regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
virginia
stratford university is in compliance with the state council of higher education for virginia to offer online/distance learning programs to virginia residents.
washington
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with washington regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
west virginia
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with west virginia regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
wisconsin
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with wisconsin regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
wyoming
as an approved sara institution, stratford university is in compliance with wyoming regulations to offer programs to residents of the state.
*not a sara state/territory
california: in july 2017, the bureau began requiring for-profit institutions, regardless of physical presence, to register with the bppe and collect student tuition recovery fund (strf) assessments from students. stratford university completed registration with the ca bppe on april 23, 2018 and is approved to offer distance education programs to ca residents.
the state of california established the student tuition recovery fund (strf) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a california resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the strf, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a california resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.
you are not eligible for protection from the strf and you are not required to pay the strf assessment, if you are not a california resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.
it is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. questions regarding the strf may be directed to the bureau for private postsecondary education, 2535 capitol oaks drive, suite 400, sacramento, ca 95833, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.
to be eligible for strf, you must be a california resident or are enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the strf assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:
to qualify for strf reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from strf.
a student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of non collection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from strf for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. if it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law. however, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.
note: authority cited: sections 94803, 94877 and 94923, education code. reference: section 94923, 94924 and 94925, education code.
bureau for private postsecondary education
2535 capitol oaks drive, suite 400
sacramento, ca 95833
phone: 916-431-6959
filing a complaint
complaints or concerns about internally unresolved educational experiences should be addressed to the following oversight organizations:
inspector general’s hotline
office of the inspector general
u.s. department of education
100 maryland avenue, sw
washington, dc 20202
(800) 647-8733 fre
accrediting council for independent colleges and schools
1350 eye street, nw, suite 560
washington, dc 20005
(202)336-6780
washington, dc 20202
www.acics.org
state council of higher education for virginia
101 n. 14th st., 10th floor
james monroe building
richmond, va 23219
tel: (804)225-2600
fax: (804)225-2604
accrediting council for independent colleges and schools
1350 eye street, nw, suite 560
washington, dc 20005
(202)336-6780
washington, dc 20202
www.acics.org
maryland higher education commission
6 north liberty street, 10th floor
baltimore, md 21202
tel: (410) 767-3388
fax: (804)225-2604
office of the attorney general
consumer protection division
200 st. paul street
baltimore, md 21202
consumer protection hotline:
toll free:
consumer@oag.state.md.us
//www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/complaint.htm
students enrolled in a course that takes place outside of virginia in a sara state must first file a complaint with the institution by following the institutional complaint policy. if an issue cannot be resolved by the university’s internal processes, a complaint involving allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity, including the provision of false or misleading information, may be brought to the state council of higher education for virginia (schev).
stratford university works with the state council of higher education for virginia (schev) to resolve complaints that fall under the national council for state authorization reciprocity agreements (nc-sara). the agreement provides enhanced quality assurance and consumer protection to students taking distance-learning programs from other member state institutions.
examples of types of student complaints that may be brought to a sara portal entity include, but are not limited to, complaints regarding accuracy of job placement data, tuition or fee information, accreditation, whether a program meets professional licensing requirements, or course transfer information. grade appeals and student conduct appeals are not allowed under sara.
if you live outside of virginia, you may file a complaint in the state where you reside by using state contact information, or sara state portal contacts if your state is a sara state.