Academic Policies and Procedures

Under most circumstances, you will be able to progress through a course or program by adhering to the procedures or soliciting assistance. The College for Financial Planning is committed to the equitable enforcement of its policies and makes reasonable efforts to resolve student concerns. However, in the event you believe your situation warrants a potential exception to College policy, please follow the guidance of the Extenuating Circumstances Policy to have your case reviewed by either Academic Affairs or the College Extenuating Circumstances Committee.

An appeal is a formal request for a change in a decision made related to a College policy. In the event a student has a concern or request that cannot be satisfied through adherence to the College’s policies, the student must initiate a formal appeal in writing by completing an Extenuating Circumstances Petition and providing supporting documentation.

Requirements

The student requesting a non-academic appeal must:

1. Complete an Extenuating Circumstances Petition in full

2. Include supporting documentation that:

• Clearly shows the extenuating circumstances experienced

• Falls within the timeframe of the specific enrollment being referenced in the petition

If you have questions or would like to submit additional documentation, email appeals.committee@cffp.edu.

Petitions submitted without documentation showing the extenuating circumstances the student experienced will be considered incomplete. Incomplete requests will be held for seven (7) calendar days pending receipt of supporting documentation. After seven days the request will be denied due to insufficient information and the student will need to begin the process again, including the submission of a new petition (previously submitted petitions will not be accepted or utilized for the second request).

Time Limitations

Extenuating Circumstance Petitions must be submitted in writing within one calendar year (365 days) from the last date of enrollment (date of access) for the course, program, or review in reference. Example: Student’s late date of access for PFPL560 is 12/16/21. Last date to submit an appeal is 12/15/22.

Definitions

The following conditions are examples of appropriate exceptions to College policy when documentation is provided:

• Unforeseen medical incapacitation or physical or mental illness that took place during an active enrollment in a course and/or program

• Death of an immediate family member (e.g. parent, sibling, child, spouse, domestic partner), or someone for whom you are the documented primary caretaker, which took place during an active enrollment in a course and/or program

• Other severe and unforeseen circumstances that took place during active enrollment in a course and/or program that directly impacted the student’s ability to satisfy course requirements in a timely manner

Cancellation and withdrawal refund dates are widely publicized. Therefore, petitions based on lack of awareness of dates will not be reviewed. In addition, requests will not be considered if:

• Your circumstances did not take place during an active enrollment in a course and/or program

• You received a final grade or an Incomplete for the course

• You had a pre-existing condition that began or exacerbated prior to enrollment

• You did not have Internet access or your computer broke

• Your responsibilities at work increased

• Documentation is not provided

Grade appeals must be based on problems of process and not on differences in judgment or opinion concerning academic performance.

1. A student who wishes to appeal a grade or other academic decision must first contact the course instructor within 30 calendar days of the grade being posted to review discrepancies.

2. If the student is appealing a grade they believe is unfair, a departure from the established grading policy, or a mistake by the College, the student should provide the instructor with a clear explanation of why. Students are encouraged to review the course’s grading rubrics and late policies (if applicable) first, as these will often resolve confusion over how the grade was calculated.

3. If the student and instructor are unable to resolve the issue, the student may then submit an appeal, in writing, to the department chair. The appeal must provide substantiating reasons for carrying the appeal forward and include suggested resolutions and documentation of the situation.

4. If the student and department chair are unable to resolve the issue, the student may then submit an appeal, in writing, to the dean. The appeal must provide all information presented to the instructor and to the department 142 chair.

5. If the student and the dean are unable to resolve the issue, The Provost, or designee, will review and provide a decision, typically within 2 weeks of receiving the original submission of the appeal and all supporting documentation. The decision of the Provost will be communicated in writing and is final.

Concerns or complaints pertaining to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation should be directed to the Office of the Registrar:

Office of the Registrar
9000 E. Nichols Ave., Suite 200
Centennial, Colorado 80112
registrar@cffp.edu

Students who are not satisfied with their resolution may also file a complaint with the Colorado Department of Higher Education, regardless of the state where the program was offered. Additionally, students can also file complaints with their state agency.

Individuals authorized to use one of the College for Financial Planning’s professional designations are subject to a disciplinary process. Complaints against a designee may be filed by a designee’s client, employer, or any other individual with whom the designee has established a formal business engagement for purposes of providing asset management, retirement planning, or financial planning services to that individual.

The College for Financial Planning investigates all complaints and its Ethical Conduct Committee determines whether allegations are justified and whether the conduct warrants disciplinary action.

Any student may file a grievance under this policy. Grievances can arise from any official faculty or staff action or decision deemed to be unjust and is based upon violation of an institutional policy or written standard that protects every student. The goal of this process is to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all students. Resolution of student complaints, regardless of the outcome, can also improve a student’s progress toward completion of a course or program and ultimately success at the College.

Click here to access the CFFP Grievance Form.

External agencies are also available to students who have exhausted all other opportunities for resolution. Before contacting an external agency, students are advised to utilize the College’s internal processes for filing a complaint or grievance, since this is the most expeditious way to resolve issues.

Colorado Department of Higher Education

The Colorado Department of Higher Education regulates Colorado institutions of higher education. Their complaint policy may be found here: https://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Complaints/FileComplaint.aspx.

The College for Financial Planning provides instruction to students throughout the world. Students may direct concerns or complaints to regulatory agencies in their state. A list of U.S. state education regulatory agencies can be found on the State Contacts page.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

NC-SARA regulates the quality of online learning across its member states. As a member of NC-SARA, The College for Financial Planning makes available to students the NC-SARA Complaint Process. Importantly, NC-SARA advises students to use the institution’s internal processes for resolving a grievance before initiating a complaint directly to NC-SARA.

Higher Learning Commission

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is the regional accreditor of The College for Financial Planning. The HLC’s complaint process is designed for “substantive problems” with an institution’s ability to meet the criteria for accreditation and therefore does not address many day-to-day complaints or grievances. Anyone wishing to contact the HLC with a complaint or grievance can read more about the HLC complaint process, including the types of complaints it addresses here: https://www.hlcommission.org/Students-Communities/complaints.html. External agencies, including the HLC advise students to use the College’s internal process for filing complaints and grievances before contacting them to ensure all other resources have been accessed first.

The student code of conduct is in place to encourage student accountability and education by highlighting the processes created to promote a healthy learning environment that supports students’ success. These standards describe the expected behavioral conduct that is conducive to the college’s overall mission.

Upon enrollment in any of the College's courses or programs or upon the purchase of any product, students agree to the following:

• Conduct yourself ethically, honestly, and with integrity as a responsible member of the College's academic community.

  • This requires the demonstration of mutual respect and civility in academic and professional discourse.

    • Interactions that involve direct and/or indirect threats, bribery, a quid pro quo, and/or abusive language.

    • Disruptive written or verbal communication or willful disobedience, repeated and/or habitual profanity or vulgarity, open and persistent abuse of college personnel, or open and persistent defiance of the authority of college personnel, including the use of racial epithets and hate speech;

    • Open and persistent abuse of other students, which includes verbal abuse, racial epithets and hate speech. Engaging in intimidating conduct or bullying against another student through words or actions; verbal assaults, such as teasing or name-calling; social isolation or manipulation; and cyberbullying.

  • Forging, altering, or otherwise misusing any College document or record would be considered a violation.

  • Slandering and/or degrading the College. The College encourages students to exercise use of the grievance process so concerns are reviewed in an appropriate and professional manner.

  • Expression that is libelous, slanderous, obscene, or which incites students or results in the disruption of the orderly operation of the College.

• Refrain from knowingly making a false statement, either orally or in writing, to any faculty member, administrative professional, or agent of the College with regard to a College-related matter.

• Perform independently on any examination or assignment

  • use of external resources during exams is not permitted unless specifically stated

    • External resources include, but are not limited to, textbooks, notes, internet searches, and third- party individuals (including co-workers)

• Unauthorized use of intellectual property, including the duplication or printing of test material, is strictly forbidden unless prior written authorization from the College is received.

  • Intellectual property of the College includes, but is not limited to, textbooks, quiz questions, final exam questions, and Qbank questions

• Stay apprised of all College and program course announcements and deadlines.

• Act with competence, exercise due diligence, and use prudent professional judgment in all your professional activities.

• Only claim completion of a program or course, or of earning a designation, after the College has formally notified you of such completion.

Failure to abide by these expectations may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the College and/or denying your right to use the College's designation(s).

The Student Code of Conduct is expected to be followed at all times by prospective, current, and former students of the College. Violations may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the course or program, revocation of authorization to use College designation(s), expulsion from the College, and legal proceedings.