Appeal Policy

Effective as of 08/11/2026

ABBCU is committed to fair, impartial, timely, and biblically principled decision-making. This policy establishes the process by which an eligible institution may request review of a final adverse ABBCU decision.

1. Purpose
An appeal determines whether an adverse decision should be affirmed, modified, reversed, or returned for further review because one or more permitted grounds have been demonstrated. An appeal is not a new application, a substitute for corrective action, or an opportunity to repeat arguments previously considered without identifying
an appealable error.

2. Scope and Eligibility
This policy applies to institutions participating in, applying for, or holding status through an ABBCU accreditation or recognition process. An institution may appeal a final written decision that:

denies accreditation or recognition;
imposes probation or another materially adverse status;
suspends, withdraws, revokes, or terminates accreditation or recognition; or
otherwise materially affects the institution's standing when the decision notice expressly provides a right of appeal.

Routine administrative communications, requests for information, intake determinations, payment or invoice matters, scheduling decisions, and general disagreement with ABBCU standards are not independently appealable unless ABBCU expressly states otherwise in writing.

3. Right to Appeal and Filing Deadline
An eligible institution must submit a complete written appeal within 30 calendar days after the date of the official adverse-decision notice. The appeal is filed when ABBCU receives the Appeal Submission Form and all required supporting materials at the designated email address.

An untimely appeal may be dismissed. ABBCU may extend or excuse the deadline only upon a written showing of extraordinary circumstances beyond the institution's reasonable control. No extension is effective unless ABBCU confirms it in writing.

4. Permitted Grounds for Appeal
The institution must identify at least one of the following grounds and explain how the issue materially affected the decision:

4.1 Procedural Error
A material departure from an applicable ABBCU policy, published procedure, or required review process occurred and could reasonably have affected the outcome.
4.2 New Material Evidence
Relevant and material evidence exists that was not reasonably available during the original review despite reasonable diligence. The institution must explain why it was unavailable and how it could affect the decision.
4.3 Misinterpretation of Data or Material Factual Error
ABBCU materially misunderstood, misread, or relied upon inaccurate or incomplete institutional data, documentation, or facts in reaching the decision.
4.4 Bias or Conflict of Interest
A person who materially participated in the decision had an undisclosed bias or conflict of interest that compromised, or reasonably appears to have compromised, the fairness of the process.
NOT A VALID GROUND BY ITSELF

Dissatisfaction with the outcome, disagreement with an ABBCU standard, or information that could reasonably have been supplied during the original review does not, by itself, establish a valid appeal.

5. Required Contents
The institution must use the attached ABBCU Appeal Submission Form or provide an equivalent written submission containing every required item.
5.1 Institution identification. Legal name, ABBCU institution code, primary contact, title, email address, telephone number, and mailing address.
5.2 Decision information. Date and type of the decision, date received, ABBCU reference number, and a copy of the official decision notice.
5.3 Grounds and explanation. Each permitted ground relied upon, the specific alleged error or issue, and a clear explanation of how it materially affected the decision.
5.4 Supporting documentation. All evidence relied upon, clearly labeled and organized. New evidence must include an explanation of why it was not reasonably available earlier.
5.5 Requested resolution. A concise statement of the action the institution asks ABBCU to take.
5.6 Authorization. The printed name, title, signature, and date of an authorized institutional representative certifying that the submission is complete and accurate.

6. Submission Method
Submit the complete appeal electronically to the ABBCU Accreditation Appeals Committee at info@abbcu.institute.

Use the subject line:

EMAIL SUBJECT: APPEAL - [Institution Name] - [Institution Code]
If file-size or security limitations prevent email delivery, contact ABBCU before the deadline to obtain approved submission instructions. Sending materials elsewhere does not preserve the filing deadline unless ABBCU confirms receipt in writing.

7. Receipt and Administrative Review

ABBCU will acknowledge receipt and conduct an administrative review for timeliness, completeness, authorization, and at least one permitted ground. ABBCU may request clarification or missing administrative information and establish a reasonable response deadline.

An appeal may be dismissed without a merits review if it is untimely, remains incomplete after an opportunity to cure, falls outside this policy, rests solely on non-appealable disagreement, or was submitted by a person without authority to act for the institution.

8. Accreditation Appeals Committee
The appeal will be reviewed by qualified persons able to act impartially. Anyone who participated materially in the original decision, has a disqualifying conflict of interest, or cannot fairly evaluate the matter must not serve on the Committee for that appeal Committee members must protect confidential institutional information and disclose actual or potential conflicts before review. ABBCU may appoint substitute or additional qualified reviewers when necessary to preserve fairness and independence.

9. Record and Review Process
The Committee ordinarily reviews the written record, including the original decision, relevant institutional submissions, the appeal, supporting exhibits, and any requested clarification. It may consult ABBCU standards and procedures in effect when the original
decision was made.

An appeal does not automatically include an interview or hearing. The Committee may request additional written information or schedule a conference when that would materially assist its review. The institution may not use such a request to introduce unrelated matters or substantially expand the timely filed grounds.

10. Burden and Standard of Review
The appealing institution bears the burden of demonstrating, through clear and relevant documentation, that a permitted ground occurred and materially affected the adverse decision. The Committee gives appropriate weight to the original record and does not substitute preference or sympathy for compliance with ABBCU standards.

11. Status During the Appeal
Unless ABBCU grants a written stay, the original decision remains in effect while the appeal is pending. Filing an appeal does not extend accreditation, restore withdrawn status, postpone required public disclosures, or suspend the institution's obligations under ABBCU policies.

12. Possible Outcomes
Affirm. The original decision remains in effect.
Modify. The decision is adjusted when the record and governing standards authorize a
different result.
Remand. The matter is returned for a corrected procedure, consideration of qualifying
evidence, resolution of a material factual issue, or conflict-free review.
Reverse. The adverse decision is set aside when the record and governing authority
support reversal.

13. Written Decision and Finality
ABBCU will issue a written appeal decision stating the disposition and, when appropriate, the principal basis for the outcome. The Committee's decision, or the final decision issued after a remand, is final within ABBCU's internal appeal process unless the written decision expressly provides otherwise.

14. Withdrawal of an Appeal
An institution may withdraw its appeal before the written appeal decision is issued by submitting a signed written notice from its authorized representative. Withdrawal ends the appeal, and the original decision remains in effect unless ABBCU states otherwise in writing.

15. Confidentiality, Integrity, and Non-Retaliation
ABBCU will handle appeal materials with reasonable confidentiality and disclose them only as necessary for administration, legal compliance, quality assurance, or protection of ABBCU and its institutions. The institution must preserve record authenticity and may not alter, conceal, or misrepresent information. ABBCU will not retaliate against an institution solely because it filed a good-faith appeal. This does not prevent ABBCU from enforcing standards, addressing misconduct, or acting on information properly discovered during the appeal.

16. Communications and Representation
ABBCU will communicate through the designated primary contact or authorized representative. The institution is responsible for current contact information, monitoring communications, and meeting deadlines. Official submissions and certifications must come from an authorized institutional representative when ABBCU so requires.

17. Relationship to Other ABBCU Documents

This policy must be read with the applicable decision letter, accreditation standards, application materials, institutional agreement, and governing ABBCU policies. A specifically controlling official document prevails to the extent of a direct conflict.

18. Policy Interpretation and Revision
ABBCU may interpret, administer, and revise this policy to promote fair and orderly review. Revisions apply prospectively unless otherwise stated. No oral statement or informal communication changes this policy unless confirmed in an official ABBCU document.

19. Contact Information
Organization Accreditation Board for Bible Colleges & Universities (ABBCU)

Email info@abbcu.institute
Telephone 225-350-4025
Website www.abbcu.institute

IMPORTANT FILING DEADLINE
A complete appeal must be received within 30 calendar days after the date of the official adverse-decision notice. Complete every applicable section and attach all supporting documentation.

1. APPELLANT INFORMATION
ABBCU Institution Code
Institution Legal Name
Doing Business As (if any)
Primary Contact / Title

Mailing Address
City / State / ZIP
Telephone
Email
Website
Date Submitted

2. DECISION BEING APPEALED

Denial of accreditation or recognition
Probation or another adverse accreditation status
Suspension, withdrawal, revocation, or termination
Other final adverse decision identified as appealable:

______________________________

Date of Official Decision
Notice
Date Notice Was
Received
Effective Date of Decision
ABBCU File / Reference
Number
Calculated Appeal
Deadline
Briefly identify the specific decision being appealed:
Copy of official decision notice attached:
☐ Yes
☐ No - explain:
______________________________________________________________
Written stay or interim relief requested:

☐ No
☐ Yes - explain the request and supporting reasons below.

Explanation of requested stay or interim relief: Filing an appeal does not automatically stay or modify the decision.

3. PERMITTED GROUNDS FOR APPEAL
Select every ground that applies. Section 4 must explain each selected ground and cite
supporting exhibits.

Procedural Error A material departure from an applicable ABBCU policy, published procedure, or required review process could reasonably have affected the outcome.

New Material Evidence Relevant evidence was not reasonably available during the original review despite reasonable diligence.
Misinterpretation of Data or Material Factual Error ABBCU materially misunderstood,
misread, or relied upon inaccurate or incomplete institutional data, documentation, or facts.
Bias or Conflict of Interest An undisclosed bias or conflict involving a material participant compromised, or reasonably appears to have compromised, the fairness of the process.

REMINDER
Dissatisfaction with the outcome, disagreement with an ABBCU standard, or evidence
that could reasonably have been supplied earlier does not, by itself, establish an
appealable ground.

4. STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF APPEAL
State the basis of the appeal clearly and specifically. Identify each alleged error, explain
how it materially affected the decision, and reference the supporting exhibit number.
Attach additional pages when necessary.

Relevant facts and procedural history:
Specific error(s) and how each materially affected the decision:
ABBCU standard, policy, procedure, data, or finding at issue:
Explanation of new evidence and why it was not reasonably available earlier:
Explanation of any alleged bias or conflict of interest:
Additional information supporting the appeal:

5. REQUESTED OUTCOME

Affirm with clarification
Modify the decision
Remand the matter for further review
Reverse the adverse decision
Other relief within ABBCU authority:

____________________________________________
Describe the specific outcome requested and why it is appropriate:

6. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
List every document submitted. Label attachments in the same order (Exhibit A, Exhibit B, and so forth). Do not submit originals unless ABBCU specifically requests them. Exhibit Document Title / Description Date Pages

7. SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

All applicable sections of this form are complete.
The appeal is being submitted within the 30-calendar-day deadline.
A copy of the official decision notice is attached.
The written statement identifies at least one permitted ground for appeal.
Each selected ground is explained and tied to supporting evidence.
Every supporting document is labeled and listed in Section 6.
New evidence includes an explanation of why it was unavailable earlier.
The form is signed by an authorized institutional representative.
A complete copy and proof of timely delivery will be retained by the institution.

8. CERTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION
I certify that I am authorized to submit this appeal on behalf of the institution; that the
information in this form and its attachments is true, accurate, and complete to the best
of my knowledge; and that no material fact has been knowingly omitted or
misrepresented. I understand that filing an appeal does not automatically stay, reverse,
or modify the decision unless ABBCU provides written notice to that effect.