Virginia Western Community College is an approved institution of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) consumer protection provisions require member states to investigate and resolve allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity, including the provision of false or misleading information. For the purposes of SARA, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), Virgina’s State Portal Entity, will address only those complaints resulting from distance education courses, activities, and operations provided by Virginia SARA-participating institutions to students in other SARA states. Student complaints regarding grades or student conduct violations are exempt from SARA student complaint reporting.
Before filing a complaint with SCHEV regarding a Virginia SARA participating institution, students must first exhaust Virginia Western Community College’s established complaint and grievance procedures as outlined in Policy I-19. Students who have completed the College’s process and are not satisfied with the resolution may contact the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) as a last resort. Students can access SCHEV’s Student Complaint webpage to file a complaint.
SHEV serves as Virginia’s State Portal Entity for SARA and handles qualifying complaints involving interstate distance education.
Please visit NC-SARA’s SARA Complaint Reports by State for additional information regarding student complaints.
Contact Us
Link Learning Commons – Brown Library
540-857-6202
olit@virginiawestern.edu
Submit a Ticket (Student)
Virginia Western Community College is an approved institution of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Click here to learn more about how VWCC’s participation in NC-SARA benefits you as a Distance Learning student.
VWCC Alerts
We use the VW Mass Notification System to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency. Get more info and register!


