# State Authorization of Distance Education Harvard University operates distance education courses and programs for students located out-of-state, pursuant to the [State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)](https://www.nc-sara.org), a voluntary agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education. SARA membership currently includes all states (except California), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. ![Logo of the NC-SARA organization](/sites/g/files/omnuum12666/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/vpl/files/nc_sara_sealthumbnail.png?itok=s_9ZGOcj) Distance Education refers to online degree or certificate education programs available to students physically located in other states and territories. Harvard University has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to operate its distance education programs under SARA, and has been approved to participate in the [National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements](https://nc-sara.org). ## Complaint Process for Distance Education Students Harvard’s schools have procedures in place to resolve complaints from students enrolled in their distance education programs. Distance education students should review the [Contact Information for Distance Education Students](#contact) below to understand the Complaint Procedure for their school. Distance education students should first exhaust the school-specific Complaint Procedure for resolution of complaints before pursuing the following procedure. A distance education student located in a SARA member state other than Massachusetts who has first followed and exhausted the internal grievance procedures made available by Harvard has the right to file a written complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE), the state portal agency for SARA, in accordance with the complaint process described by DHE at . Complaints regarding grading and student discipline matters are not within the purview of DHE. ### For Distance Education Students Located in Massachusetts After first exhausting the [complaint procedures](#contact) made available by Harvard, distance education students who are located in Massachusetts may file a [consumer complaint](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-consumer-complaint) with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. ### For Distance Education Students Located in California After first exhausting the [complaint procedures](#contact) made available by Harvard, distance education students who are located in California may file a consumer complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs: **California Department of Consumer Affairs** **Consumer Information Center** 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112 Sacramento, California 95834 Telephone: (833) 942-1120 ## Tuition Refund Policies for Distance Education Students Distance education students seeking information about the tuition refund policy for their Harvard program should review the [Contact Information for Distance Education Students](#contact) below to understand the policy for their school. ## Contact Information for Distance Education Students Sort**School/ Program** **Complaint Procedure** **Tuition Refund Policy** **Contact for Questions** Harvard Business School – HBS Online [Contact ](https://account.myhbx.org/onlinesupport/) See [Policies](https://online.hbs.edu/enroll/policies/), in the “Changing Your Program Status" section [Contact for Questions](https://account.myhbx.org/onlinesupport/) Harvard Business School – Analytics Program Contact See [Enrollment Policies](https://analytics.hbs.edu/student-portal/registration-and-payment/#enrollment-policies) Harvard Chan School of Public Health See [Grievance Policy and Procedures](https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/student-handbook/grievance-policy-and-procedures/) See [Student Withdrawal Refund Policy](https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/student-billing/student-withdrawal-refund-policy/) Harvard Division of Continuing Education - Extension and Summer School Student [Rights & Regulations](https://extension.harvard.edu/registration-admissions/for-students/student-policies-conduct/rights-regulations/) See [Refunds](https://extension.harvard.edu/paying-for-school/payment-options-policies/refunds/) Harvard Division of Continuing Education - Professional and Executive Development Contact See “Cancellation and Refund Policy” under [FAQs](https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/find-a-program/registration-details/) Harvard Graduate School of Design - Executive Education online Contact See [Policies](https://execed.gsd.harvard.edu/policies), in the Tuition, Refunds, Withdrawals section [execed@gsd.harvard.edu ](mailto:execed@gsd.harvard.edu%20) Harvard Graduate School of Education – Professional Education Contact See [Refunds and Withdrawals](https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/refunds-withdrawals) Harvard Kennedy School – Executive Education online Contact See [Attendance, Withdrawal & Cancellation Policies](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/educational-programs/executive-education/admissions-fees/attendance-withdrawal-cancellation-visa) Harvard Kennedy School - Public Leadership Credential Contact [plc\_online@hks.harvard.edu](mailto:plc_online@hks.harvard.edu) See [Tuition Refund Policy](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/educational-programs/public-leadership-credential) Contact [plc\_online@hks.harvard.edu](mailto:plc_online@hks.harvard.edu) Harvard Law School – Executive Education online Contact See [Admissions](https://execed.law.harvard.edu/admissions/) for the Cancellation Policy Harvard Medical School – CME Online Contact Because online course materials can be accessed immediately, refunds are not permitted. For more information, please email [ceprograms@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:CEPrograms@hms.harvard.edu) Harvard Medical School – HMX Contact See [FAQ](https://onlinelearning.hms.harvard.edu/hmx/faq/), “Can I get a refund if I find out a course is not right for me and I need to drop the course?” Harvard Online [Contact](https://support.harvardonline.harvard.edu/s/) See [Withdrawals and Refunds](https://www.harvardonline.harvard.edu/faq#course-payment-and-policies) in the Changing your Course Status section. [Contact for Questions](https://support.harvardonline.harvard.edu/s/contactsupport)