In the event Dakota College has reason to believe a high school diploma is not valid or was not obtained from an entity providing secondary school education, the institution will conduct additional research to determine if the diploma is valid. This applies to First Year and Transfer students. Additional research may be performed when:
- No apparent state legal authority for high school or G.E.D.
- Limited curriculum/instructors
- High school diploma given for a fee within a short period of time
- High school diploma date/place not consistent
- High school diplomas/transcripts/GED’s that were issued by a school that bears a non-traditional name that does not end in “high school”, such as “academy”, or “center”
- High school diplomas/transcripts/GED’s that were purchased and/or completed online
- High school diplomas/GED’s that have names and/or dates that have been written on the diploma, and those where “whiteout” type corrections have been made
Should any of the above exist, Dakota College will conduct additional research to include:
- Checking the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) website for information relative to the validity of the school, and if the school in fact provides secondary school education. If Dakota College is unable to obtain the required information, the institution will contact the state where the school is in an attempt to obtain the appropriate documentation.
- Determining if the school has previously been identified as a high school diploma mill, via internet research and existing lists the school maintains.
- Determining if the diploma or transcript was purchased online with little work expected by the student, or if it was earned via brick-and-mortar traditional high school.
Ultimately, if it is not reasonably certain a high school diploma or G.E.D. is valid, the student will not be admitted as a degree seeking student and is ineligible for federal student aid. Dakota College’s decision relative to the validity of a particular high school diploma or G.E.D. is final, and not subject to appeal.