hawaii post secondary education authorization program

Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program

The Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) is administered by Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and provides oversight of certain post-secondary educational institutions, including BYU-Hawaii (see Hawaii Revised Statutes § 305J). Under HPEAP, any BYU-Hawaii student or former student having a complaint involving the University may file the complaint with the DCCA provided that: (i) complaints not involving violations of criminal law should be first submitted to BYU-Hawaii for appropriate resolution; and (ii) complaints from former students must generally be filed within two years of termination of enrollment. The DCCA has jurisdiction to investigate complaints based on violations of criminal law and to investigate other grievances, including alleged violations of HPEAP, if the student or former student has already exhausted with the University all administrative remedies available for those grievances. The DCCA will not investigate under HPEAP complaints that infringe on the academic or religious freedom of, or that question the curriculum content of, BYU-Hawaii. Complaints under HPEAP may also be filed with the University’s accrediting agency, the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

For any other grievances, feel free to directly contact the University administration through the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the BYU-Hawaii homepage or click here .

After exhausting all institutional processes, you may seek recourse by contacting the Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP). HPEAP may investigate complaints based on possible violations of the Hawaii authorization statutes or rules.

Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs 335 Merchant Street, Rm. 310 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Telephone: (808) 586-7327 Website: cca.hawaii.gov/hpeap Email: [email protected]

• MyHPU Portal
• NEWS / THE 'OHANA

• Student Services Center

Student Right to Know and Consumer Information

Consumer information / links, academic information.

Academic Calendar

• Academic Catalog

Areas of Study

College Navigator Profile (National Center for Education Statistics)

Cost of Attendance and Financial Assistance

Net Price Calculator

Cost of Attendance

• Applying for Aid

Financial Aid Policies and Procedures

General Information

• Accreditations and Membership

Policies and Deadlines

Registration Policies

Student Handbook

• Student Complaint Procedures

Student Life

Health and Safety

Health Requirements

HPU Security

Student Outcomes

HPU by the Numbers

Graduation and Retention Rates

The Student Right to Know Act

The Student Right-to-Know Act was enacted in 1990 by federal law. The law requires institutions that receive Title IV HEA student financial aid to collect, report and/or disclose graduation rates for full-time, first-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students and students receiving athletically related student aid.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was implemented in 1974 as a federal law to protect the privacy of student education records. FERPA also gives students the right to review their education records, seek to amend inaccurate information in their records, and provide consent for the disclosure of their records. This law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

The Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose crime statistics that happen on and around their campuses. The law was originally known as the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 and was amended and renamed in 1998 after Jeanne Clery, a Lehigh University student who was assaulted and murdered in her residence hall on April 5, 1986. This information is published in the annual Hawaii Pacific University Public Safety Report.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy and Prevention Plan

The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 requires institutions who participate in federal student aid programs to provide information to its students, faculty, and employees to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. Information about standards of conduct, health risks, programming opportunities, assistance programs available to students and employees with suspected drug or alcohol problems, and the possible repercussions of violating state and institutional drug and alcohol policies is available in the Student Handbook (contact the Student Affairs Specialist at 1-808-687-7022 for more information) and Employee Handbook (contact Human Resources at 1-808-544-1188 for more information).

Equity in Athletics

Any coeducational institution of higher education that participates in a federal student aid program and has an intercollegiate athletics program is required to publish an annual Equity in Athletics report. This report contains participation rates, financial support, academic success rate, and other information on its men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic programs. This report may be obtained from the Hawaii Pacific University Athletics Office and is also available on the from the Office of Postsecondary Education Web site.

HPU Non-Discrimination Statement

Hawai’i Pacific University admits students without regard to sex, race, age, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all programs and activities generally accorded to or made available to students at the University.

As provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws, the University provides educational opportunities without regard to, and prohibits discrimination, including harassment, against students on the basis of sex, race, age, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational programs, policies, admissions policies, scholarships, activities and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs.

Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP)

The Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program ( HPEAP ) was created in 2013 by Act 180 to provide regulatory oversight of certain post-secondary educational institutions that have a physical presence in the state. The Act was then codified as Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 305J. A student or former student of the University may file a complaint concerning the institution at which the student is or was enrolled. The HPEAP may investigate complaints based on possible violations of this chapter or rules. HPEAP cannot consider complaints that infringe on the academic or religious freedom of or question the curriculum content of an educational institution. You must exhaust all administrative remedies available at the institution first; provided that if the complaint involves a violation of state or federal criminal law, this requirement shall not apply.

State Post-Secondary Education Commission

In 1974, the State Postsecondary Education Commission (SPEC) was established by the legislature to provide a framework to preserve Hawaiʻi ‘s continued eligibility to receive and disburse federal student aid funding under Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965. The Commission also had certain oversight responsibility for the postsecondary education review program.

In 2006, Hawaiʻi Revised Statute Chapter 305H was repealed and the SPEC  review program was moved to the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) in 2013 when HRS Chapter 305J was enacted.

Since then the Commission’s powers and authority include cooperation with the federal government to qualify the State to provide administrative action and/or receive funds made available under the Higher Education Act of 1965, Public Law 89-329, as amended from time to time, and in addition may serve as the state agency for the receipt of federal student information and/or federal funds when federal legislation dealing with higher education or post-secondary education requires, as a condition of state receipt of such funds, the designation of a state agency that is broadly representative of the general public and of post secondary education in the state and when agencies other than the commission may not qualify. The commission may exercise and perform any other powers and duties that the commission considers necessary, proper, or desirable in order to carry out effectively the duties and responsibilities of the commission as prescribed in this chapter or by statute.

Membership of SPEC includes the UH Board of Regents, plus four other members representing the general public, as well as public and private nonprofit and proprietary post-secondary education institutions. The commission shall meet as needed for administrative action and/or the receipt of federal student information and/or federal funds.

Hawaiʻi Post-secondary Education Authorization Program Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs P.O. Box 541 Honolulu, HI 96809

  (808) 586-7327   [email protected]

If required, information contained on this website can be made available in an alternative format upon request. Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

• COVID-19 Updates
• Emergency Information
• Privacy Statement

Gagana Samoa

Kapasen Chuuk

Kajin Majôl

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

• Degrees and Programs

Hawaii Launches Online Heald College Transcript Ordering System

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) has launched a new application entitled the Heald College in Honolulu Transcript Request Ordering System. Students who previously attended Heald College in Honolulu are now able to request a copy of their college transcripts online through the new application, which can be accessed online at hpeap.ehawaii.gov/hpeap/home.html .

“We are pleased to introduce this new streamlined option for former students to request their transcripts,” said Bobbi Lum-Mew, HPEAP Program Administrator. “Many of those affected by the closure of Heald College are still dealing with the challenges and uncertainties caused by the school closure. It is our hope that the public finds the online ordering system to be quick and convenient, especially for those who no longer reside in Hawaii.”

The Heald College in Honolulu Transcript Request Ordering System was created in partnership with Hawaii Information Consortium, LLC, the official Internet portal manager of eHawaii.gov.

About the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

The State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs promotes a strong and healthy business environment by upholding fairness and public confidence in the marketplace, and by increasing knowledge and opportunity for our businesses and citizens in the State of Hawaii. To find out more, visit cca.hawaii.gov .

About Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program

The Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) operates within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 305J. HPEAP authorizes accredited, degree-granting institutions physically present in Hawaii. HPEAP has been fulfilling Heald College Honolulu transcript requests for former students since the institution closed.

About eHawaii.gov

Hawaii’s official Internet portal, portal.ehawaii.gov , is managed by Hawaii Information Consortium, LLC, a Hawaii corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC Inc. (NASDAQ: EGOV).  Hawaii Information Consortium, LLC partners with Hawaii state and county government agencies to bring more state business online and improve public access to government information.

Founded in 1992, NIC (NASDAQ: EGOV) is the nation’s leading provider of innovative digital government solutions and secure payment processing, which help make government more accessible to everyone through technology. The family of NIC companies provides digital government solutions for more than 4,500 federal, state, and local agencies in the United States. Forbes has named NIC as one of the “100 Best Small Companies in America” six times and the company has been included four times on the Barron’s 400 Index. Additional information is available at www.egov.com .

Work with us

NIC Hawaii is now doing business as Tyler Hawaii. Read about the rebrand .

Other Grievances

The Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) is administered by Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and provides oversight of certain post-secondary educational institutions, including BYU–Hawaii (see Hawaii Revised Statutes § 305J). Under HPEAP, any BYU–Hawaii student or former student having a complaint involving the university may file the complaint with the DCCA provided that: (i) complaints not involving violations of criminal law should be first submitted to BYU–Hawaii for appropriate resolution; and (ii) complaints from former students must generally be filed within two years of termination of enrollment. The DCCA has jurisdiction to investigate complaints based on violations of criminal law and to investigate other grievances, including alleged violations of HPEAP, if the student or former student has already exhausted with the university all administrative remedies available for those grievances. The DCCA will not investigate under HPEAP complaints that infringe on the academic or religious freedom of, or that question the curriculum content of, BYU–Hawaii. Complaints under HPEAP may also be filed with the University’s accrediting agency, the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

For any grievances related to sexual misconduct or Title IX, please see the link at the bottom of the BYU–Hawaii homepage or go to Sexual Misconduct or Title IX Incident Report .

For any other grievances, feel free to directly contact the university administration through the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the BYU–Hawaii homepage or go to Report a Concern Website .

After exhausting all institutional processes, you may seek recourse by contacting the Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP). HPEAP may investigate complaints based on possible violations of the Hawaii authorization statutes or rules.

Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP)

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs 335 Merchant Street, Rm. 310 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 (808) 586-7327 cca.hawaii.gov/hpeap [email protected]

State Licensed or Authorized Institutions

State information on higher education institutions licensed or authorized to operate.

The state links provide information about institutions and programs approved to operate in a particular state in the United States. State approval and accreditation are not the same. State approval to operate signifies that institutions have satisfied certain minimum requirements established by a state. Accreditation signifies that an institution has attained a threshold level of academic quality. In most states, approval to operate does not require accreditation. Please use all available resources, including checking with the particular institution and its accrediting organization, to determine if a particular institution meets anticipated needs.

Some states, such as California, Oregon, and Minnesota, maintain Websites about degree mills and accreditation mills. Some states, including Oregon and Michigan, provide specific lists of non-accredited schools and non-approved accrediting organizations. Other states, such as Hawaii, Michigan, and Maine, have passed specific regulations or legislation to address the issue of degree mills. These links have been included to help in an investigation of degree mills and accreditation mills.

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) is the coordinating board for higher education in the State of Alabama.

A complete list of schools authorized to operate or exempt from authorization in Alaska is provided by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE).

The Arizona College and Career Guide published by the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education provides information about Arizona’s universities, colleges, and career schools.

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education’s list of four year public universities, two-year public colleges, and independent colleges and universities located in the State of Arkansas.

The Guide to Colleges and Universities is provided by the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU). The Guide helps counselors, students, and families learn about higher education options offered by the state's private nonprofit colleges and universities.

• Search the Database to California Colleges & Universities It contains detailed information about 145 public colleges and universities, 128 WASC-accredited non-public institutions and 253 state-approved or exempt private postsecondary and vocational institutions.
• Useful Links: Information about Diploma Mills
• Search the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education approved schools This information is provided by the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

Maintained by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, this site lists 4-year public, 2-year public and authorized non-public institutions approved by the State of Colorado.

• Degree/Diploma Mills and Accreditation Mills The Colorado Commission on Higher Education provides information on Degree/Diploma Mills and Accreditation Mills.

Connecticut

This student and parent Website, developed by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, includes links to approved Connecticut colleges and universities and private occupational schools.

• Connecticut Institutions of Higher Education Almanac Provided by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education

The Delaware Higher Education Commission provides contact information for state-approved colleges and universities.

The Board of Governors State University System of Florida provides information about independent and state institutions, Florida law schools and university distance learning links.

The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC), the agency responsible for administering student financial aid programs provided by the State of Georgia, lists in-depth information about Georgia colleges, universities and technical colleges.

The website of the Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP), provides a list of schools authorized to operate in Hawaii.

• Unaccredited Degree Granting Institutions This State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs site includes an explanation of state regulations regarding unaccredited degree granting institutions. The site also includes a list of institutions that have been sued by the State of Hawaii.

This site, maintained by the State of Idaho, lists Idaho state colleges and universities and private colleges and universities.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education provides links to public universities, independent colleges and universities and community colleges.

• State Approval, Accreditation, and Licensure The Illinois Board of Higher Education provides consumer information about state approval, accreditation, and licensure.

The Indiana Commission on Higher Education maintains this site entitled " The Learn More Resource Center ." It allows users to access specific details on over 80 Indiana colleges and universities.

The Iowa College Student Aid Commission provides information on Iowa state universities, independent colleges and universities, community colleges, and professional business and technical colleges and universities.

This site provides a list of Kansas universities, community colleges, technical schools and colleges, private and out-of-state and degrees and programs governed or supervised by the Kansas Board of Regents.

The State of Kentucky, Council on Postsecondary Education provides multiple resources for higher education, including listings of state colleges and universities, independent colleges and universities, and community college, trade and technical schools.

The Louisiana Board of Regents provides lists of the Louisiana state university system, community and technical colleges and private institutions.

The Department of Education for the State of Maine provides lists of Maine public colleges and universities, state training academies, community college systems and private colleges.

• Degree Mills and Accreditation Mills The Department of Education for the State of Maine maintains this site.
• Maine Legislature: An Act to Prohibit and Provide Penalties for the Issuance, Manufacture and Use of False Academic Degrees or Certificates L.D. 1317 was passed and signed into Public Law Chapter 429 by the 122nd Maine Legislature on June 23, 2005. A summary of the bill and an amendment thereto may be found using the above link to the Maine Legislature Website.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission Website lists four-year public colleges and universities, community colleges, four-year independent colleges and universities, two-year independent colleges and universities and distance education and academic programs by school.

• The Importance of Accreditation The Maryland Higher Education System provides the importance of accreditation.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education provides links to Massachusetts state colleges and universities, independent colleges and universities and community colleges.

The State of Michigan provides lists of Michigan career and technical institutes, two-year colleges, four-year colleges and universities and community colleges.

• Michigan Legislature: Authentic Credentials in Education Act Senate Bill 136 was passed into law by the 93rd Michigan Legislature on July 22, 2005. This bill prohibits the issuance or manufacture of a false academic credential. It also prohibits an individual from knowingly using a false academic degree.
• Non-Accredited Schools and Unapproved Accrediting Bodies List of non-accredited schools and unapproved accrediting bodies by the State of Michigan.

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education provides information about institutions or campuses licensed by the State of Minnesota, Minnesota state colleges and universities and the University of Minnesota.

• Tips on How to Validate a School’s Claims Developed by The Minnesota Office of Higher Education, this Website includes multiple resources on how to find out if a school is operating legally in the State of Minnesota, how to use special strategies to evaluate online education and how to check with potential employers before you enroll in a school.

Mississippi

The Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation provides a listing of all approved colleges and universities in the State of Mississippi. It also includes a listing of non-approved colleges and universities.

• Non-Approved Entities Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation provides a list of non-approved entities.

The Missouri Department of Higher Education provides an institution and degree search engine as well as a complete list of institutions approved in the State of Missouri.

• MDHE Central: Diploma Mills The Missouri Department of Higher Education’s Website provides this information.

The Montana University System, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, maintains a list of the University of Montana campuses, Montana State University campuses, community and tribal colleges and private institutions.

The Nebraska, Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, provides links to lists of approved community colleges, independent colleges and universities, private career schools and state colleges.

The Nevada System of Higher Education provides links to approved public institutions in the State of Nevada.

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Division of Educator Support and Higher Education, provides a list of degree-granting institutions approved to operate in New Hampshire, as well as a directory of approved career schools.

The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education provides links to public research universities, state colleges and universities, community colleges, two-year religious schools, independent four-year colleges, proprietary institutions with degree-granting authority and rabbinical schools and theological seminaries.

• Accreditation & "Diploma Mills" Federal and State Resources Maintains a web page entitled for accreditation & "diploma mills" federal and state resources.

The New Mexico Higher Education Department provides links to postsecondary schools.

The New York State Education Department Office of Higher Education, Office of Quality Assurance, provides a Directory of all Colleges and Universities in the State of New York.

North Carolina

The State of North Carolina provides multiple links to the University of North Carolina System, independent colleges and universities and community colleges.

• Guide to North Carolina Higher Education Web Sites The University of North Carolina provides a guide to North Carolina higher education websites.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education provides links to all four-year public colleges and universities, two-year public university branch campuses, two-year public community and technical colleges and independent colleges and universities approved in the State of Ohio. This site also includes a link to the Program Authorization Log a list of college institutions and programs authorized to operate in Ohio.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education provides links to approved colleges, universities and career training institutions.

The Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) provides links to the Oregon University System, independent colleges, community colleges and other ODA-approved campus-based degree programs.

• Diploma Mills The Oregon Office of Private Postsecondary Education, Office of Degree Authorization maintains an extensive Website related to alleged degree mills.

Pennsylvania

Maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, this institution and program search includes programs at the College of Technology, community colleges, other approved schools, other colleges and universities, other postsecondary schools, private colleges and universities, private licensed schools, private two-year colleges, state-aided institutes, state-related commonwealth universities and state universities.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education lists institutions and organizations, including Rhode Island public higher education, independent colleges and universities and proprietary schools regulated by the Rhode Island Office of Higher Education

South Carolina

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education lists public senior institutions, two-year regional campuses for the University of South Carolina, technical colleges, private senior institutions, private two-year colleges, proprietary colleges, and other degree-granting institutions licensed to operate by the Commission on Higher Education in the State of South Carolina.

South Dakota

The South Dakota Board of Regents maintains a list of postsecondary technical institutes, state universities, tribal colleges and universities and private colleges and universities.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation maintains a directory of Tennessee public universities, independent colleges and universities, community colleges and Tennessee Technology Centers.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board maintains lists of public universities, community colleges, health-related institutions, the technical college system and state colleges as well as independent universities, junior colleges, health-related institutions and chiropractic institutions.

• Fraudulent or Substandard Institutions with a Texas Connection The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board provides a list of fraudulent or substandard institutions with a Texas connection.

The Utah System of Higher Education provides links to Utah public and private colleges and universities. The Website also links to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection that includes links to registered proprietary schools exempt from registration.

The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation provides a list of Vermont Education links, including colleges, universities and professional schools.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia provides links to public institutions, private vocational institutions licensed to operate in the State of Virginia and some private and out of state institutions.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) provides links to public four-year colleges and universities, public community and technical colleges, tribally-controlled community colleges and private and out-of-state colleges and universities.

• Protecting Education Consumers The Washington Student Achievement Council's Degree Authorization staff maintains this site.

West Virginia

This site provides links to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission public colleges and universities,  community colleges and technical institutions . It also provides links to West Virginia private colleges and universities.

The State of Wisconsin Website provides links to the University of Wisconsin System and state colleges, technical colleges, private colleges and universities and private postsecondary schools. The State of Wisconsin's Educational Approval Board maintains this site.

The State of Wyoming provides links to Wyoming colleges and universities and technical schools.