As part of its ongoing effort to make the accreditation process responsive to a broad range of constituents, the Commission has integrated the federally-required (1998 Higher Education Act Amendments) third party comment process into its regular accrediting processes. Since the 1997-98 academic year, the Commission has required institutions undergoing comprehensive evaluation (initial or continued candidacy or accreditation) to publish basic information about the visit in appropriate publications and invite the public to provide written comments to the Commission. The Commission will forward these comments to the evaluation team to include in its review of the institution.

Before you submit a third-party comment, you should download the document describing third-party comment process (PDF) and read it carefully.

Please note specifically that the Commission by policy will only forward a comment to the evaluation team and institution when it may also forward the name and street address of the commentor.

- OR -

Send mail to the Commission:

Public Comment on (insert name of college)
The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504

Comments on these institutions are due in the Commission office no later than one month before the date the visit in scheduled to begin. The Commission cannot guarantee that comments received after the due date will be considered. Comments should include the name and address of the person(s) providing the comments.

Note: Individuals with a specific dispute or grievance with an institution should request the separate Policy on Complaints document from the Commission office. The Higher Learning Commission cannot settle disputes between institutions and individuals, whether those are faculty, students, or others. Complaints will not be considered third party comment.

Submit a Third-Party Comment 

All fields are required.