I. Licensing & Regulation Program Overview for FY 2024 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024):

The Board is tasked with reviewing and processing license applications, ensuring adherence to regulations, investigating complaints and violations, and implementing disciplinary actions when necessary. The Board oversees the review of both new and renewal license applications to ensure compliance with the requirements specified in A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 30, and A.A.C. Title 4, Chapter 39.

Each new license application undergoes a comprehensive review and approval process conducted by both the Staff and the State Board. This process involves the submission of at least 20 essential documents, including financial statements, insurance certificates, surety bonds, course descriptions, faculty lists, accreditation details, and other required legal documents. For non-accredited institutions, the full review process, including both administrative and substantive evaluations, typically takes around 180 days. For accredited degree programs, this process extends to approximately 240 days.

Once a school is granted a license, it must renew this license annually. The renewal process requires the submission of 15 specific documents, which are reviewed and approved by the staff. On average, this renewal process takes about 60 days to complete for each school. The renewal cycle is divided into four quarterly periods, with fees based on gross tuition revenues, ranging from a minimum of $750 to a maximum of $6,000 per year.

FY 2024 Key Achievements for the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education

The Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education ¹ demonstrated significant activity and impact during FY 2024. Key achievements include:  

Licensing and Oversight:

• Licensed Schools: 237 schools licensed, encompassing vocational and degree programs at both accredited and non-accredited institutions.
• Supplemental Licenses: 263 supplemental licenses approved, including:
  • Change of Ownership: 9
  • Change of Location: 18
  • New Programs: 136
  • Program Modifications: 95
  • Change of Institutional Name: 10
• License Renewals: 231 licenses renewed.
• New School Licenses: 16 new school licenses approved.

Student Impact:

• Total Student Enrollment:
  • Arizona Vocational Students: 75,853
  • Arizona Degree Students: 17,512
  • Total Arizona Students: 93,365
  • Total Students (Arizona and Online): 332,340
• Student Record Requests: 1,735 requests processed.
• School Closures: Assisted with the closure of 10 schools.

Complaint Resolution and Enforcement:

• Complaint Investigations:
  • Student Complaints: 30 investigated, 6 resolved/dismissed, 1 resulted in disciplinary action, 7 pending.
  • Non-Student Complaints: 8 investigated, 3 resolved, 2 resulted in disciplinary action, 4 pending.
  • Total Complaints Adjudicated: 5
• Adverse Actions: 37 adverse actions issued, including probationary measures, increased bond requirements, quarterly reporting, Letters of Concern, Cease & Desist Orders, and ongoing monitoring.

Communication and Support:

• Correspondence and Inquiries:
  • Letters of Intent: 151 responded to
  • State Authorizations: 83 responded to
  • General Inquiries: 43 responded to
• Public Information Requests: Provided information on licensed schools and programs, accreditation status, STRF claims, grievance procedures, student record location, and licensing processes via the agency website and downloadable forms.
• Site Visits: 28 conducted, including visits outside the application process.

Financial and Operational Data:

• Revenue Generation: Institutions under the Board's oversight generated $2.45 billion in revenue.
• Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF):
  • Claims Filed: 5
  • Claims Rejected: 5
  • Claims Paid/Settled/Closed: 0 (All claims closed)
  • Total Amount Paid: $0
  • Average Response Time: 2 days
• Inspections: 30 inspections conducted.

Agency Partnerships:

The Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education is a key part of the “triad” responsible for overseeing Federal Student Aid programs, alongside the U.S. Department of Education and accrediting agencies. The Board plays a crucial role in consumer protection and ensuring fair practices for schools within the state.

Additionally, the Board has established partnerships with various city, state, and federal agencies to enhance the dissemination of information.

 They include:

Office of the Ombudsman

The ombudsman-citizens aide helps citizens to resolve ongoing issues with state agencies. Please go to http://www.azoca.gov for more information.