How do we apply as a new institution of higher learning?
The Connecticut Office of Higher Education (OHE) is responsible for the authorization of independent/private colleges and universities in the State to enroll, instruct, and grant degrees.
Process and applications for CT independent colleges and universities
If you are interested in starting a new college or university in CT or establishing a new branch campus of an existing out-of-state institution, you will need to start the process by completing our interest form. You can complete the interest form here:
Complete an interest form to apply as a new institution of higher learning.
Schools should submit their interest form at least 12 months before starting, to allow enough time for review.
If you have questions about the process of being authorized as a new institution, email Emily Bjornberg at: Emily.Bjornberg@ct.gov.
Review process
Once OHE receives an interest form, you will be contacted for further information and if appropriate, invited to submit an initial application for authorization. OHE utilizes a database system called Veoci. You will be added to the Veoci system where you will be able to submit your initial application for authorization. OHE will review the application to ensure it is complete.
Circulation requirements
When applying for as a new institution with associated programs, OHE will send circulation documents to all public and private colleges in CT. The circulation documents will contain a summary of the institution and program proposal. This happens at the same time the application is sent to OHE. Existing colleges have 15 days to provide feedback. If any college wants to comment, they will send it via Veoci and their responses will be available to both OHE and the school that applied. The school must then respond to these comments.
Once completed, OHE will schedule an evaluation visit with an evaluation committee of qualified evaluators. The college or university must be fully functional, including ensuring all necessary staff and faculty are hired and the facility is fully equipped and student ready.
If the new college or university is able to demonstrate compliance with all of the approval standards (see here in Article Two for Approval Standards) as determined by the evaluation committee, a recommendation will be made to the commissioner to authorize the new college or university. The commissioner will make the final determination for authorization.
Process and applications for new or existing educational programs by CT independent colleges and universities
Schools should submit their applications for new programs, program modifications, and phase-out or termination of programs through the Veoci system.
Review process
OHE will check the application and may ask the school for more information if needed. If the proposal meets all the required state standards, it will be recommended for authorization to the commissioner.
Circulation requirements
When applying for a new program, OHE will send circulation documents to all public and private colleges in CT. The circulation documents will contain a summary of the program proposal. This happens at the same time the application is sent to OHE. Existing colleges have 15 days to provide feedback. If any college wants to comment, they will send it via Veoci and their responses will be available to both OHE and the school that applied. The school must then respond to these comments.
Exemptions
Some non-profit private colleges and universities are exempt from the OHE program authorization process for new programs or program modifications under certain conditions. To qualify for the exemption, colleges must:
- Maintain eligibility to participate in financial aid programs governed by Title IV, Part B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended from time to time.
- Have a financial responsibility score that is not less than 1.5 for the most recent fiscal year for which the data necessary for determining the score is available by the United States Department of Education.
- Have been located in the state and accredited as a degree-granting institution in good standing for ten years or more by an accrediting association recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education and maintains such accreditation status.
Exempt schools must submit information to OHE before enrolling students in new programs or making changes to existing programs.
Reauthorization of existing CT independent colleges and universities
Reauthorization by accreditation
The office shall accept accreditation recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education, in satisfaction of the requirements for reauthorization unless the office finds cause not to rely upon such accreditation. Applications for reauthorization by accreditation are available in the Veoci system.
Full reauthorization application
If a college is not accredited or is accredited but OHE has cause to not rely upon the accreditation, then the college is required to submit a full reauthorization application. Reauthorization applications are available in the Veoci system.
Review process
Completed applications can be reviewed through:
- An on-site evaluation with an evaluation committee.
- A focused site visit with a site team to conduct a visit focusing on matters of concern.
- An evaluation based on the written application.
If the college or university is able to demonstrate compliance with all of the approval standards (see here in Article Two for Approval Standards), a recommendation will be made to the commissioner to reauthorize the college or university. The commissioner will make the final determination for reauthorization.