Effective January 1, 2010, Assembly Bill 48 (Portantino, Chapter 310, Statutes of 2009) established the California Private Postsecondary Education Act (Act) and created the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (Bureau or BPPE) within the Department to provide oversight of private postsecondary educational institutions operating in California. Specifically, the Act directs the Bureau to:
- Create a structure that provides an appropriate level of oversight, including approval of private postsecondary educational institutions and programs.
- Establish minimum operating standards for California private postsecondary educational institutions to ensure quality education for students.
- Provide consumers a meaningful opportunity to have complaints resolved.
- Ensure that private postsecondary educational institutions offer accurate information to prospective students on institutional and student performance, thereby promoting competition between institutions that rewards educational quality and employment success.
- Create opportunities for stakeholders to have a voice and be heard in the operations of and rulemaking process by the Bureau.
- Proactively combat unlicensed institutions.
Mission:
The Bureau protects students and consumers through the oversight of California’s private postsecondary educational institutions by conducting qualitative reviews of educational programs and operating standards, proactively combating unlicensed activity, impartially resolving student and consumer complaints, and conducting outreach.
Vision:
To be the national leader in regulating private postsecondary institutions and maximizing Californians’ confidence that institutions approved by the Bureau provide a quality education.
Values:
- Accountability
- Consumer Protection
- Effectiveness
- Quality
- Integrity
- Transparency
- Consistency
Visit the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s website at https://www.bppe.ca.gov/ or connect on Facebook and Twitter.
Established by Senate Bill 1192, the Office of Student Assistance and Relief (OSAR) was created within BPPE in 2018 for the purpose of advancing and promoting the rights of students of private colleges, and assisting students who suffer economic loss due to the unlawful activities or closure of a private college.
In collaboration with various State and federal agencies including the California Student Aid Commission, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Education and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the OSAR is committed to assisting California students and addressing the needs of those students attending private colleges.
Visit the Office of Student Assistance and Relief website at: https://osar.bppe.ca.gov/ or connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Mission:
To serve as the primary point of contact for advancing and protecting students’ rights, advocating on behalf of students, informing students through outreach, and providing equitable relief to students who suffer economic loss as a result of the unlawful activities or closure of a California private postsecondary educational institution.
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
- What Can OSAR Do For You?
- ¿Qué Puede Hacer OSAR Por Usted?
- What To Consider When Selecting a College
- ¿Qué Considerar Al Seleccionar Un Colegio Universitario?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Application for Student Tuition Recovery Fund (English)
- Solicitud de Fndo de Reembolso de la Matricula Estudiantil (Spanish)
- BPPE Complaint Form for Consumers
- Citizens Comment / Complaint Form
- Guide for Students Facing a School Closure
- Transcript Request Form
