Student Grievances

First Institute is recognized by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) as meeting and maintaining certain standards of quality. It is the mutual goal of ACCET and First Institute to ensure that educational training programs of quality are provided. When issues or problems arise, students should make every attempt to find a fair and reasonable solution through First Institutes’ internal complaint procedure. The link to access the Student Grievance Policy on First Institute’s website is: https://www.firstinstitute.edu/student-grievances/

Student Grievances

Should any student have a grievance (unresolved complaint) about status, grades, records, faculty or other, the normal recourse is for the student to consult with their instructor first and then the Student Services Administrator if the issue remains unresolved.

In the event a satisfactory resolution is not achieved at this level, the student’s case may be presented for further review to the Executive Director or Associate Executive Director. First Institute will make every effort to satisfy student issues within reason.

After this point, if the issue is still not resolved, the student has the right to file a written complaint with the Illinois Board of Higher Education or the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Refer to ACCET Doc. 49.1 posted in the common areas of the school and in FI-Moodle Student Resources for steps to submit a complaint.

In the event a satisfactory resolution is not achieved at this level, the student’s case may be presented for further review to the Associate Executive Director. First Institute will make every effort to satisfy student issues within reason.

After this point, if the issue is still not resolved, the student has the right to file a written complaint with the Illinois Board of Higher Education or the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Refer to ACCET Doc. 49.1 posted in the common areas of the school and on the FI Moodle Student Resources page for steps to submit a complaint.

Complaints against the school may be registered with:

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)

Private Business and Vocational School Unit

1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1377

Institutional Complaint Hotline: (217) 557-7359
Link to the Online Complaint System: http://complaints.ibhe.org/

ACCET