The following institutions in Alaska are completing the teach-out requirements of existing students and shall not enroll any new students:

• Styles Starts Here Hair Academy
• Wayland Baptist University

The following institutions have been flagged by Commission staff to have solicited in Alaska without the Commission’s Authorization and present a consumer risk:

• Graham International University

To report a school or educational provider that may be illegally operating in the state of Alaska without the required Authorization or Exemption from Authorization, please email eed.acpe-ia@alaska.gov with the following information:

• Name of institution
• Institutional address
• Institution URL/website
• Institution Email Address
• Institution Phone Number
• Owner or Operator of the Institution
• Provide additional comments
• Attach relevant documentation(e.g. screenshots)

Any person whose primary responsibilities as a paid representative of a postsecondary educational institution is to recruit, advertise or otherwise procure the registration (enrollment) of students for that institution and who wishes to practice that employment in Alaska must submit an application for and receive an Agent's Permit from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education.

Upon receipt of the completed application, accompanying documents, appropriate fees, and evidence of bonding, the Commission staff shall place the application on the Commission's agenda for review and action. The Commission will notify the applicant in writing of its decision.

An agent's permit is non-transferable and is issued for terms ranging from six months to two years. However, under no circumstances will the agent's permit remain valid beyond the expiration date of the Authorization to operate for the institution which the agent represents if such Authorization is required.

Please contact staff for Agent Permit application.

Exemption from the Agent Permit Requirement
An agent who is a bona fide employee of a postsecondary educational institution Authorized to operate in this state or Exempted from Authorization, and who acts as an agent only in the scope of the agent's employment with the postsecondary educational institution, is Exempt from the agent permit requirement.

Solicitation from an Out-of-State School
Out-of-state postsecondary education institutions that solicit, recruit, or advertise to prospective Alaska residents through Alaska-based advertising sources (newspapers, radio stations, television ads) must be Authorized or Exempt from Authorization. Additionally, if any advertising, regardless of source, directly recruits Alaska residents, the institution would be in violation of Alaska law.

Institutions that have no physical presence in Alaska and who solicit, recruit, or advertise through the internet or other sources, and do not directly target Alaska residents, are not required to obtain Authorization or an Exemption from Authorization.

A diploma mill (or degree mill) is a person, business, organization, or institution that offers academic degrees or diplomas with little or no academic study and without being properly accredited. These degrees are often sold for a flat fee and are not recognized by legitimate educational institutions or employers.

Key characteristics of a diploma mill include:

• Lack of accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency.
• No real coursework or assessment—degrees may be awarded based on "life experience" or minimal effort.
• Fast turnaround—some promise degrees in a few days or weeks.
• Unrealistic credentials—such as doctorates issued without proper study.
• Misleading language to appear legitimate, sometimes mimicking real universities.

Verifying a Reputable College, University, or Educational Provider
To ensure a college, university, or educational provider is reputable and recognized, follow the following steps:

To ensure a college, university, or educational provider is reputable and recognized, follow the following steps:

• Check State Authorization and Licensing
  • Make sure the school is authorized to operate in its state. For schools in Alaska, see ACPE’s list.
  • In the U.S., most states have a Department of Education, Higher Education Board, or equivalent agency to ACPE, where you can check a school’s status.
• Check Accreditation- If the institution is a college or university, ensure the institution is accredited by a recognized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Examples from Alaska’s institutions include:
    • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
    • Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
    • Association for Biblical Higher Education
    • Council on Occupational Education
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • For a complete list, please search the U.S. Department of Education Database.

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) processes complaints alleging violations of state institutional authorization law relative to postsecondary institutions or programs in Alaska, including SARA complaints. The complaint investigation process is described in AS 14.48.130 and 20 AAC 17.130-145. A student is encouraged to pursue the complaint/grievance process at their institution prior to contacting ACPE. This process is outlined in the institution’s catalog. Frequently asked questions can be found here. To request a complaint form please send an email to: EED.ACPE-IA@alaska.gov.