EDUCAUSE Higher Ed Ready Frequently Asked Questions

 

About the Program

▸What is the EDUCAUSE Higher Ed Ready Program?
The EDUCAUSE Higher Ed Ready Program is a trusted third-party assessment that recognizes companies demonstrating strong commitment, transparency, and service to higher education. It provides a community‑endorsed signal that your organization is aligned with the needs, values, and expectations of colleges and universities.
For additional information about the program, visit EDUCAUSE Higher Ed Ready.

 

Application Process

▸How does the application process work?
  • Eligibility: Your company must be an EDUCAUSE Corporate Member.
  • Application: One representative from your company will log in to the Higher Ed Ready Application Portal, purchase the application for an initial fee, and complete the submission.
  • Review: A panel of higher education CIOs and other academic technology leaders will review and evaluate your company's submission based on a set of six criteria. These include transparency and communication, innovation, customer success, shared goals and values, standards and compliance, and collaboration and community engagement.
  • Recognition: If your company meets the program standards, it will be listed in the EDUCAUSE Higher Ed Ready Directory and awarded a digital seal to use in marketing and communications.
Your seal is valid for three years with an annual license fee. Your company must be an EDUCAUSE Corporate Member in order to annually renew your seal.

 

Application Guidelines and Materials

▸ Which materials are required for submission?
Throughout the assessment, you will be asked to provide narrative responses with supporting materials as evidence of how your company demonstrates its commitment and capability to meet each set of criteria. Materials range from links to collaborative projects or initiatives to examples of employee training and policies.
You may work with key stakeholders across your organization to draft answers to the assessment questions and curate examples and supporting materials. However, only one person will be responsible for completing and submitting your assessment on your company's behalf.
For a preview of the questionnaire, download this sample assessment.
▸What if one piece of evidence can apply to more than one criteria?
If one piece of evidence is relevant to more than one criteria, you may upload or link the document once and add a note in subsequent text responses that the document has been previously uploaded or linked. Please be specific about which document (e.g., “See HECVAT.xlxs uploaded in Q2.2.”)
▸How detailed should each response be?
  • Narrative responses: Suggested range of 250–500 words per prompt (unless otherwise specified).
  • Clarifying summaries or explanations for N/A responses: 50–200 words.
  • Supplemental evidence: Concise, relevant materials only.
▸What file types are accepted?
Add up to three pieces of evidence that best support your response. You may submit items in the same format (for example, three links) or use any combination of the four accepted formats: links, documents, spreadsheets, or images.
  • Links: Public access URLs
  • Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX
  • Spreadsheets: XLS, XLSX
  • Media: PNG, JPG, JPEG (only when directly relevant)

When possible, link to hosted resources rather than uploading; large or extraneous files should be avoided. File names should clearly indicate the criterion they support. Evidence should be cited directly in the narrative (e.g., “See Attachment: Pricing Transparency Overview”). Proprietary or confidential materials should be clearly marked as such.