Iowa-specific terms and conditions

These Iowa-Specific Terms & Conditions supplement Preferred Systems, Inc.’s general Student Terms & Conditions and apply to students enrolled in courses subject to Iowa requirements.

1. Substance abuse policy

Preferred Systems prohibits the unlawful possession, use, manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or sale of controlled substances by students or employees while participating in courses, working for Preferred Systems, attending school-sponsored activities, or while on property used for school-related purposes.

Students and employees may not use alcohol or other substances in a manner that is unlawful, creates a safety concern, disrupts a course or school activity, or prevents an individual from safely participating in a course or performing employment responsibilities. This policy does not prohibit lawful use of prescription or over-the-counter medications when used as directed. Misuse, unlawful distribution, or possession of another person’s prescription medication is prohibited.

Sanctions for violations

Student disciplinary action may include:

• A warning;
• Removal from a course or activity;
• Denial or loss of course credit when requirements have not been satisfied;
• Suspension or dismissal from enrollment;
• Exclusion from future courses; and/or
• Referral to law enforcement or another appropriate authority.

Employee disciplinary action may include:

• A warning or corrective action;
• Removal from an assignment;
• Suspension;
• Termination of employment or contractual responsibilities; and/or
• Referral to law enforcement or another appropriate authority.

Sanctions will depend upon the nature and seriousness of the violation and will be applied in accordance with applicable laws and school policies.

Counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention resources

Preferred Systems does not provide substance abuse counseling or treatment. Students and employees who need assistance are encouraged to contact appropriate resources.

• Your Life Iowa: free and confidential support related to alcohol, drugs, gambling, mental health, and related concerns. Call 855-581-8111, text 855-895-8398, or visit yourlifeiowa.org.
• SAMHSA National Helpline: free and confidential treatment referral and information. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit samhsa.gov.
• FindTreatment.gov: a national treatment locator for substance use and mental health services at findtreatment.gov.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for immediate mental health or substance use crisis support. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Visit 988lifeline.org.

Preferred Systems may also provide additional prevention materials, educational resources, or referrals to local or national substance abuse prevention programs upon request.

2. Sexual abuse policy

Preferred Systems is committed to maintaining an educational and work environment free from sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, and retaliation. This policy applies to students and employees participating in courses, school-sponsored activities, classroom locations, online learning environments, and other activities administered by Preferred Systems.

Reporting sexual abuse

Any student or employee who experiences, witnesses, or becomes aware of sexual abuse or sexual assault is encouraged to report the matter promptly. If there is an immediate danger or threat to safety, call 911. Individuals may contact the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction where the incident occurred.

Concerns may also be reported to Preferred Systems at 888-455-7437 or info@preferrededucation.com. A person does not need to report to Preferred Systems before contacting law enforcement, medical providers, victim advocates, or counseling services. Preferred Systems will not require a person to delay contacting law enforcement while an internal matter is reviewed.

Campus or facility security

Preferred Systems does not operate a traditional residential college campus. If a course or school-sponsored activity takes place at a facility with security personnel, students and employees may contact them for assistance. Facility security is not a substitute for calling 911 or law enforcement when emergency assistance is required.

Education, counseling, and support resources

• Iowa Victim Service Call Center: 24-hour support and referrals. Call 1-800-770-1650, text IowaHELP to 20121, or visit the Iowa Attorney General’s victim resources.
• Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault: information and referrals at iowacasa.org/help.
• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: free and confidential 24-hour support at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org.

Students and employees have the right to seek emergency assistance, medical care, counseling, advocacy, and law enforcement assistance. Retaliation against an individual for making a good-faith report, seeking assistance, or participating in an investigation is prohibited.

3. Employee policy for suspected child physical or sexual abuse

Preferred Systems requires employees who, during their responsibilities, reasonably suspect that a child has been physically or sexually abused to report the suspected abuse promptly. Employees are not responsible for proving that abuse occurred or conducting their own investigation. Reasonable suspicion may arise from direct observation, a child disclosure, information from another person, physical injuries, behavioral indicators, or other circumstances that reasonably indicate possible abuse.

Employee reporting responsibilities

1. Immediate danger: If the child is in immediate danger or requires immediate protection, call 911 or local law enforcement immediately.
2. Law enforcement report: Promptly report suspected child physical or sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agency, as soon as reasonably possible and no later than 24 hours after the suspicion arises.
3. School report: Also report the suspected abuse to Preferred Systems Administration as soon as reasonably possible and no later than 24 hours after the suspicion arises. Call 888-455-7437 or email info@preferrededucation.com.
4. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services: If the employee is a mandatory reporter under Iowa law, the employee must comply with applicable reporting requirements. The Child Abuse Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 800-362-2178.

When possible, an internal report should include the child’s name, the nature of the suspected abuse, relevant dates or observations, the basis for the concern, and information about any law enforcement report. Reporting to Preferred Systems does not replace a legally required report to law enforcement or Iowa HHS, and an employee must not delay reporting while waiting for permission or direction from Preferred Systems.

No Preferred Systems employee, instructor, manager, or representative may interfere with a good-faith report. Employees should document relevant facts accurately without conducting their own investigation or extensive interviews. Information should be treated confidentially and shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know or as required by law. Additional information is available from the Iowa HHS mandatory reporter resource.

4. Military tuition and fee refund policy

This policy applies to a student who is a member of the Iowa National Guard or reserve forces of the United States, or is the spouse of such a member when the member has a dependent child, and the military member is ordered to National Guard duty or federal active duty.

An eligible student may choose one of the following options:

1. Full withdrawal and refund: Withdraw from the entire registration and receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees.
2. Course completion arrangements: Arrange with instructors for course grades or incompletes that may be completed later. Registration remains intact and tuition and mandatory fees remain assessed in full for those courses.
3. Partial withdrawal: Keep registration and fees for courses with later completion arrangements. Courses without such arrangements are considered dropped, and their tuition and mandatory fees will be refunded.

Application to Preferred Systems stand-alone courses

Preferred Systems primarily provides stand-alone continuing education courses rather than traditional degree or academic programs with semester-based tuition. An eligible student who must withdraw from a stand-alone Preferred Systems course because of qualifying National Guard or federal active duty, and who requests the benefit, will receive a full refund of tuition, registration charges, and mandatory fees paid for the affected course.

Because Preferred Systems courses generally do not use traditional academic grades or incompletes, the full-refund option will ordinarily apply. If the course structure and licensing requirements permit later completion, Preferred Systems may work with the student on appropriate arrangements.

Clock-hour programs

For any program in which academic progress is measured only in clock hours, Preferred Systems will provide a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees to an eligible student who withdraws and requests the benefit for the payment period in which the student withdrew. The payment period will be determined under applicable Iowa law and regulation.

Requesting a military refund

Contact Preferred Systems as soon as reasonably possible. Preferred Systems may request reasonable documentation, such as military orders, establishing eligibility. A qualifying military withdrawal will not be subject to an otherwise applicable cancellation penalty for the affected course.

5. Iowa student complaint and grievance process

Preferred Systems encourages students to communicate concerns directly with the school so they can be reviewed and resolved promptly. Before filing a complaint with Iowa College Aid, a student must complete Preferred Systems’ internal complaint or grievance process and receive a decision from the school.

Step 1: Submit a complaint to Preferred Systems

Submit complaints in writing to info@preferrededucation.com. You may also call 888-455-7437. When applicable, include your name and contact information, course title and date, a description of the concern, supporting information, and the requested resolution.

Step 2: School review

Preferred Systems will review the complaint, may request additional information, and will provide the student with a decision or response after its review.

Step 3: Iowa College Aid complaint

After completing the internal process and receiving a decision, a student who remains dissatisfied may file a complaint with the Bureau of Iowa College Aid within the Iowa Department of Education.

Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Iowa Department of Education
400 E 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Toll-free: 877-272-4456
Iowa student complaint information

The internal-process requirement does not prevent or delay a student from contacting law enforcement, emergency services, child protective authorities, medical providers, or another government agency when immediate assistance or separate reporting is appropriate.

Notice

These Iowa-Specific Terms & Conditions supplement Preferred Systems’ general Student Terms & Conditions. Preferred Systems may revise these Iowa policies when necessary to comply with changes in Iowa law, regulations, agency requirements, or school operations. Nothing in these policies limits a legal right or reporting responsibility that cannot lawfully be waived.