Reconsideration Policy

We appreciate the time and effort that you invest in our application and admissions processes. We hope that you have a positive experience and are therefore informed, excited, engaged, and prepared for your Relay program. You may wish to provide new and compelling information that impacts your admissions eligibility and would allow your application to be reconsidered by Relay. In that case, you should read and follow the guidance below.

 

When to Submit a Request for Reconsideration

• An applicant may provide new, important, and compelling information that was not previously described in their initial admissions application in the case of ineligibility due to GPA or program-aligned instructional role.

• Once an applicant is informed that their GPA or instructional role does not meet eligibility requirements for their program, they must submit any new, important, or compelling information within two weeks.

• New, important, and compelling information may be considered until September 1 (Summer/Fall 2026 applicants) to be considered for admissions decisions. After Relay’s last date of enrollment, the Relay teacher programs application will close, and all admissions decisions will be considered final.

Relay’s Response to Applicant's Request for Reconsideration

The Admissions and Enrollment Team will respond to new, important, and compelling information submitted via this form within 10 business days. A copy of the form may be shared with the Student Affairs and Student Services team, as well as legal counsel for review.  The Admissions & Enrollment Team will serve as a facilitator of the reconsideration and maintain copies of the request and all supporting documents.

 

The Admissions & Enrollment Team will work towards resolution of any requests submitted. Upon review, Relay will email the applicant the response to the request.  Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis.  Requests received that do not follow the process outlined will not be considered.

 

Feedback Policy

We appreciate the time and effort that you invest in our application and admissions processes. We hope that you have a positive experience and is therefore informed, excited, engaged, and prepared for their Relay program. If you wish to share feedback regarding the experience you have encountered, please read and follow the guidance below.

 

How to Share Feedback and When to Submit a Complaint

If and when you have experienced dissatisfaction with your experience and would like to share feedback, the first thing you should attempt is to address the staff member directly and see if a prompt and fair resolution is feasible. Where the discussion with the staff member is not successful, or you feel you cannot raise the issue directly with the person, the feedback may be shared in writing with the Managing Director, Strategic Enrollment via email ([email protected]).  If the challenge continues to persist and no satisfactory outcome has been reached through these means, you may contact the Vice President, Student Affairs and Student Services at [email protected]. 

 

Relay’s Response to Applicant Feedback 

The Vice President, Student Affairs and Student Services will respond to complaints submitted via the form on behalf of the Admissions & Enrollment Team upon receipt of the feedback form. A copy of the feedback may be shared with the Student Affairs and Student Services team, as well as legal counsel for review. The Admissions & Enrollment Team will serve as a facilitator of the feedback, maintain copies of the feedback and all supporting documents, and work towards a resolution of any feedback submitted.

 

Please note that the details of the feedback, including any written statement, may have to be disclosed in whole or in part with the person against whom the complaint has been raised in order to resolve the situation.

 

Vaccination Policy

Relay strongly recommends that all students enrolled in teacher preparation are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This includes receiving booster shots as soon as students are eligible. Relay encourages students to comply with all employer-mandated vaccine requirements.

 

Additional Context:

• In some states in which Relay operates, employers require staff in an education setting to be vaccinated as a condition of employment. As Relay requires employment as a condition of enrollment, it is likely that a high percentage of students in these states are fully vaccinated.

• The State of Illinois requires higher education personnel and higher education students to be fully vaccinated. Students residing in Illinois will be required to share proof of vaccination per state requirements.

  • If a student residing in Illinois has an employer accommodation or exemption, Relay will honor this accommodation or exemption with proof provided.

  • If a student residing in Illinois is not vaccinated, the student must comply with testing requirements for any visit to Relay-affiliated locations greater than 15 minutes.

Policy on Applicant Fraudulence and Prior Misconduct in Educator Preparation Programs

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to protect the integrity of Relay Graduate School of Education’s admissions process and to ensure that all admitted candidates meet the highest standards of honesty, professionalism, and ethical conduct. This policy establishes procedures for identifying, reviewing, and disqualifying applicants who have engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with admission to Relay.

Scope

This policy applies to all individuals applying to any Relay program, including certification, residency, graduate degree, or alternative-route pathways. It covers conduct occurring before or during the application process.

Definitions

• Fraudulence — Any intentional act of deception, falsification, or misrepresentation related to admission. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Submitting falsified academic records, evaluations, or fieldwork hours

  • Misrepresenting enrollment status, program completion, or dismissal history

  • Using another person’s work, identity, or credentials

  • Providing fabricated or altered documents

  • Withholding required disclosures about prior program removal, sanctions, or investigations

Policy Statement

Relay Graduate School of Education will not admit any applicant who 1) has engaged in fraudulence in the completion and submission of any application at Relay, or 2) has a verified history of fraudulence involving any prior academic or educator preparation program.

Relay reserves the right to:

• Deny admission

• Rescind an offer of admission

• Remove a candidate from enrollment if fraudulence is discovered post-admission

Required Applicant Disclosures

All applicants must disclose:

• Previous enrollment in any academic or educator preparation program

• Any disciplinary actions, investigations, or dismissals from prior programs

• Any known allegations or findings of fraudulence

Failure to disclose required information constitutes an independent basis for denial.

Verification Procedures

Relay may conduct verification through:

• Direct communication with prior academic institutions

• Review of academic or fieldwork records

• Authentication of submitted documents for veracity

• Background checks where required by law

Relay may request additional documentation or clarification from the applicant at any time.

Determination and Disqualification

If evidence indicates that an applicant engaged in fraudulence during the admissions process:

• The application will be denied without further review.

• The applicant will be notified in writing of the decision.

• The applicant may be permanently barred from future applications at Relay.

Relay’s determination is final and not subject to appeal.

Post-Admission Discovery

If fraudulence is discovered after admission or enrollment:

• The offer of admission may be rescinded

• The student may be dismissed from the program

• Relay may report the misconduct to relevant state education agencies or certifying bodies

Recordkeeping

Relay will maintain documentation of all findings of fraudulence and related decisions in accordance with regulatory, institutional, and legal requirements