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Consumer Information Disclosures (HEOA and Related Policies): The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) includes many disclosure and reporting requirements. A disclosure requirement is information that a postsecondary education institution is required to distribute or make available to another party, such as students or employees.

Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information: All institutions participating in Title IV, Higher Education Act (HEA) student financial aid programs must annually distribute to all enrolled students a notice of the availability of the information that is required to be made available to students under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The notice must list and briefly describe the information and include a statement of the procedures required to obtain the information.Click here to view the notice.For information on FERPA: click here.

Student Financial Aid Information: All institutions participating in Title IV, HEA student financial aid programs must make available to prospective and enrolled students, through appropriate publications, mailings, or electronic media, information about:

  • Need-based and non-need-based federal, state, local, private, and institutional student financial assistance programs available to students: click here.
  • The terms and conditions of Title IV, HEA loans: click here.
  • The criteria for selecting recipients and for determining amount of award: click here.
  • Eligibility requirements and procedures for applying for:
  • The methods and frequency of disbursement of aid:
  • The rights and responsibilities of students receiving Title IV, HEA student financial aid, including criteria for continued student eligibility: click here.
  • For the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy: click here.
  • The terms of any loan received as part of financial aid package, sample loan repayment schedule, and the necessity for repaying loans: click here.
  • Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by Bethany Global University may be considered enrollment at Bethany Global for purposes of applying for federal student financial aid. You may direct any questions to the Admissions/Financial Aid Office.
  • Bethany Global University does not have a work study assistance program.
  • Exit Counseling is completed online through the US Dept. of Education. Click here to access the Federal Student Aid website. Click here for more information on Exit Counseling.

To meet the disclosure requirements for student loan information published by the Department of Financial Aid, the following links are provided: studentloans.gov and studentaid.gov.

Notice of Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations: All institutions participating in Title IV, HEA student financial aid programs must provide to each student, upon enrollment, a separate, clear, and conspicuous written notice that advises the student that a conviction for any offense, during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV, HEA program funds, under all, federal or state law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs will result in the loss of eligibility for any Title IV, HEA grant, loan, or work-study assistance. Click here for more information.

Each institution must provide a notice in a timely manner to each student who has lost eligibility for Title IV, HEA assistance as a result of the penalties under HEA Sec. 484(r)(1). The notice must be a separate, clear, and conspicuous written notification of the loss of eligibility and must advise the student of the ways in which the student can regain eligibility. The Admissions/Financial Aid office of BGU will provide a written notice to each student, upon enrollment. Also, BGU will send any student who has lost eligibility a notice in writing.

Privacy of Student Records – Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): All institutions receiving funds from any Department of Education Program must annually provide a notice to all enrolled students, through any reasonable means to inform students of their rights, about the following:

  • The right to review their education records, to request amendment of records, to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information, and to file complaints with the Department of Education
  • Procedures for reviewing education records and requesting amendment of the records
  • If applicable, information about the institution’s policy regarding disclosures to school officials with a legitimate educational interest in the education records.

In order to disclose directory information without prior consent, an institution must provide to students a notice of directory information that includes:

  • Types of information the institution has designated as directory information
  • The student’s right to refuse to allow any or all such information about the student to be designated as directory information, and the time period the student has for notifying the institution in writing.

Click here to view the FERPA policy at any time. To request a paper copy, contact the Registrar.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Policy: The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB) was enacted in 1999 and affects all financial institutions. Colleges and universities fall under GLB as part of financial lending and alumni processes. The GLB Financial Privacy Rule requires financial institutions to provide a privacy notice at the time the consumer relationship is established and annually thereafter. It defines the protection of non-public personal information (NPI). It also requires institutions to implement thorough administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information. Click here to view BGU’s Gramm-Leach-Bliley Policy

Privacy Notice: This Privacy Notice explains how Bethany (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information obtained from visitors to our website, customers, and individuals who interact with us.

Information We Collect: We may collect personal information such as:

  • Name
  • Contact information including email address and phone number
  • Demographic information such as postcode, preferences, and interests
  • Other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers
  • Academic records, including grades, transcripts, and course enrollment details.
  • Financial information for tuition, fees, scholarships, and financial aid.
  • Health and medical information provided for student support services.
  • Employment details for faculty, staff, and administrative purposes.

We collect this information when you:

  • Visit our website
  • Make a purchase or request services
  • Contact us through our website, email, or phone

How We Use Your Information: We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To provide products and services requested by you
  • To personalize your experience and improve our website
  • To send promotional emails about new products, special offers, or other information which we think you may find interesting
  • To contact you for market research purposes
  • Academic administration, including enrollment, grading, and academic support services.
  • Financial transactions, such as billing, tuition payments, and financial aid processing.
  • Communications with you regarding university events, updates, and important announcements.
  • Research and statistical analysis to improve our programs and services.
  • Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Security: We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. We have implemented suitable physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

Sharing Your Information: We do not sell, distribute, or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so.

Your Rights: You have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information we hold about you
  • Request that we correct any inaccuracies in your personal information
  • Request that we delete your personal information
  • Withdraw consent for processing where consent is required.

Changes to This Notice: We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page.

Contact Us: If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding your privacy or data protection please contact David Entler at Compliance@BethanyIntl.org.

 

Service Provider Oversight Policy

1. Purpose: The purpose of this Service Provider Oversight Policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for the selection, monitoring, and evaluation of service providers engaged by Bethany to ensure the delivery of high-quality services in alignment with the organization’s mission and values.

2. Service Provider: Any external entity or individual contracted by Bethany to provide services, including but not limited to vendors, consultants, contractors, and partners.

3. Selection of Service Providers:

  • 3.1 Criteria: The selection of service providers shall be based on predetermined criteria, including expertise, reputation, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with the organization’s values and mission.

  • 3.2 Procurement Process: Bethany shall follow a transparent and competitive procurement process when selecting service providers. This may include issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) or conducting a competitive bidding process.

4. Contractual Agreements:

  • 4.1 Contract Development: All contractual agreements with service providers shall clearly outline the scope of work, deliverables, timelines, performance standards, and compensation terms.

  • 4.2 Compliance: Service provider contracts shall include clauses requiring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation:

  • 5.1 Performance Metrics: Bethany shall establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics for each service provider to measure the effectiveness and quality of services.

  • 5.2 Regular Reviews: Regular reviews and evaluations of service providers shall be conducted to assess their performance against established metrics.

6. Communication and Reporting:

  • 6.1 Communication Channels: Open and transparent communication channels shall be maintained between Bethany and its service providers.

  • 6.2 Reporting: Service providers shall provide regular reports on their activities and achievements, and Bethany shall communicate relevant information to stakeholders.

7. Conflict of Interest:

  • 7.1 Disclosure: Service providers shall disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may impact their ability to deliver services impartially.

  • 7.2 Mitigation: Bethany shall take appropriate measures to mitigate conflicts of interest, which may include reevaluating the contractual relationship.

8. Termination and Renewal:

  • 8.1 Termination: Bethany reserves the right to terminate agreements with service providers for non-compliance, inadequate performance, or other justifiable reasons.

  • 8.2 Renewal: Contractual renewals shall be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the service provider’s performance.

9. Record-Keeping: All documentation related to the selection, monitoring, and evaluation of service providers shall be maintained in an organized and secure manner.

10. Review and Amendment: This Service Provider Oversight Policy shall be periodically reviewed and amended as necessary to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.

Approval: This Service Provider Oversight Policy is hereby approved by the Bethany Compliance Committee on .

David Entler

Information Security and Privacy Administrator

Customer Notice Procedures

Purpose: This document outlines the procedures followed by Bethany to notify customers, and donors, about important information, updates, or changes related to our programs, services, and operations.

1. Types of Notices: We issue notices for the following purposes:

  • Program/Service Updates
  • Events and Campaigns
  • Policy Changes
  • Emergency Notifications
  • Other Important Announcements

2. Channels of Communication: We use multiple channels to ensure effective communication:

  • Email
  • Website Announcements
  • Social Media Platforms
  • Newsletters
  • Postal Mail (if applicable)

3. Timing of Notices:

  • Routine updates: At least annually
  • Time-sensitive information: Immediately or within 48 hours

4. Format of Notices:

  • Clear and concise language
  • Relevant headings and subheadings
  • Use of visual aids if necessary
  • Contact information for further inquiries

5. Emergency Notifications:

  • For urgent matters, we prioritize timely communication through all available channels.
  • Emergency contact information will be prominently displayed on our website and in communications.
  • Emergency text will be sent out to students and employees when an life threatening event occurs or physical threat is present.

6. Opt-In and Opt-Out:

  • Customers have the option to opt-in or opt-out of specific types of notices.
  • Clear instructions on how to manage notification preferences will be provided.

7. Accessibility:

  • Notices will be made accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities.
  • Alternative formats will be available upon request.

8. Feedback Mechanism:

  • Customers are encouraged to provide feedback on the effectiveness and clarity of our notices.
  • A designated contact person or feedback form will be available for this purpose.

9. Compliance with Regulations:

  • We will comply with all relevant data protection and privacy regulations.
  • Customers’ personal information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

10. Review and Updates:

  • These procedures will be reviewed annually and updated as needed.
  • Any changes to the procedures will be communicated in advance.

Contact Information: For any inquiries or further information, please contact David Entler at David.Entler@bethanyintl.org or 952-946-4193.Thank you for your continued support and engagement with Bethany.

Retention Policy

Purpose: The purpose of this document retention policy is to establish guidelines for the retention and disposal of university records in a consistent, efficient, and compliant manner. This policy ensures that university records are managed effectively to meet legal, regulatory, operational, and historical requirements.

Scope: This policy applies to all university records, regardless of format or medium, including but not limited to paper documents, electronic records, emails, and digital files.

Responsibilities

  • Compliance Committee: The Compliance Committee is responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of this policy, including providing guidance on record retention schedules and disposal procedures.
  • University Departments and Units: Each department and unit is responsible for identifying, classifying, and managing their records in accordance with this policy.
  • Employees: All employees are responsible for complying with this policy and ensuring that university records under their control are managed and retained appropriately.

Record Classification

  • Vital Records: Vital records are documents essential for the university’s continued operation, including legal documents, financial records, accreditation records, and intellectual property records. Vital records must be retained indefinitely or as required by law.
  • Non-Vital Records: Non-vital records are documents that are not essential for immediate operations but may be required for reference, historical, or administrative purposes. Non-vital records must be retained based on established retention schedules.

Retention Periods

  • Financial Records: Retain financial records such as budgets, audits, tax records, and payroll records for a minimum of seven years or as required by law.
  • Student Records: Retain student records, including transcripts, applications, and financial aid records, according to federal and state regulations, typically for a minimum of five to seven years after graduation or last attendance. Most student records that are attained during the application process are electronic and uploaded to student profiles in our SMS (Populi), which is an online, password protected secure website. Paper documents are scanned, uploaded to Populi, and then permanently housed in locked, fireproof filing cabinets in the academic office. The only physical documents that remain in a student’s file from this point forward are previous high school or college transcripts, an exiting transcript from BGU, and a photocopy of any certificate or degree earned.
  • Personnel Records: Retain personnel records, including employment contracts, performance evaluations, and benefit records, for a minimum of seven years after termination of employment.
  • Legal and Contracts: Retain legal documents, contracts, and agreements for a minimum of seven years after expiration or termination, or as required by specific agreements or legal mandates.
  • Administrative and Operational Records: Retain administrative and operational records, such as meeting minutes, policies, and procedures, based on their relevance and historical value, typically for a minimum of three to five years.

Disposal Procedures:

  • Records that have met their retention period and are no longer required for legal, regulatory, or operational purposes must be disposed of securely. Paper records should be shredded or securely recycled to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Electronic records should be permanently deleted from all systems and storage devices, and any backup copies should be securely erased.

Exceptions and Legal Holds

  • In cases where legal or regulatory requirements mandate a longer retention period than specified in this policy, the longer retention period shall apply.
  • If a legal hold is placed on any records due to ongoing litigation, investigations, or audits, such records must be preserved until the hold is lifted.

Training and Awareness: The university shall provide training and awareness programs to employees regarding their responsibilities under this policy, including record classification, retention periods, and disposal procedures.

Review and Revision: This document retention policy shall be reviewed periodically by the Compliance Committee to ensure its effectiveness, relevance, and compliance with evolving legal and regulatory requirements. Any necessary revisions shall be approved by university leadership.

Enforcement: Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to warnings, fines, or termination of employment.

Document Retention Schedule: The university shall maintain a document retention schedule that specifies the retention periods for different categories of records, including updates as needed to reflect changes in regulations or business practices.

References: This policy complies with relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as industry best practices for document management and retention. This document retention policy is effective upon approval and supersedes any previous policies or guidelines related to record retention at the university.

Filing a complaint with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education: Colleges and career schools that are licensed or registered with the Office of Higher Education are required to:

  • Comply with Minnesota Statutes 136A.61 to 136A.833
  • Comply with Minnesota Administrative Rules Chapter 4840 and 4880
  • Follow their internal policies and procedures, and
  • Use marketing materials or recruiting practices that are not deceptive, misleading, or inaccurate.

If you did not have a good experience or believe that BGU has not met these requirements, you can file a complaint with the Office of Higher Education. As a part of the Agency’s regulatory oversight, they will investigate and respond to complaints and, if justified, take action to prevent future problems. Click here to view the process for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to review a complaint.

North Carolina Religious Exemption Statement: Degree programs of study offered by Bethany Global University have been declared exempt from the requirements for licensure, under provisions of North Carolina General Statutes Section (G.S.) 116-15 (d) for exemption from licensure with respect to religious education. Exemption from licensure is not based upon assessment of program quality under established licensing standards.

North Carolina Complaint Policy: The State Authorization Unit of the University of North Carolina System Office serves as the official state entity to receive complaints concerning post-secondary institutions that are authorized to operate in North Carolina. If students are unable to resolve a complaint through the institution’s grievance procedures, they can review the Student Complaint Policy (PDF) and submit their complaint using the online complaint form at https://studentcomplaints.northcarolina.edu/form. For more information contact:

  • North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints 223 S. West Street, Suite 1800Raleigh, NC 27603(919) 962-4550

To file a complaint with he  Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice, please visit The State Attorney General’s web page at: