State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

SARA is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs.

Participation is voluntary for institutions and open to all degree- granting postsecondary institutions (for-profit and not-for-profit private and public institutions) that are accredited by an association recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Participation in SARA allows institutions to offer distance education courses and programs to students in other SARA-participating states without seeking state authorization.

For more information on SARA, including an up-to-date list of SARA States and Institutions, visit  NC-SARA.org.

Initial Application and Renewal Process

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is the state portal agency for SARA. Any accredited, degree- granting postsecondary institution with its principal campus or central administrative unit domiciled in Texas is eligible to apply.

To apply or renew, complete the Application and Approval Form for Institution Participation in SARA. The application form for institution participation and renewal is found on the NC-SARA website.

The application and supporting documentation should be emailed to Cathie Maeyaert at Maeyaert@highered.texas.gov Following approval of the application, the institution’s SARA contacts will receive an invoice from NC-SARA for the annual fee. Texas does not charge a state fee.

SARA Student Complaint Process

NC-SARA provides information on filing a student complaint under SARA policies. Students are encouraged to review this information prior to filing a complaint against a SARA institution.

Complaints against a SARA participating institution must first go through the institution’s own grievance procedures. All complaints regarding student grades or conduct violations are governed by the institution and the laws of the institution’s home state.

If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional grievance process, the student may appeal, within two years of the incident, to the SARA portal agency of the institution’s home state.

For all complaints regarding Texas degree-granting postsecondary institutions participating in SARA, complete the Student Complaint Form and email the form to Complaints@highered.texas.gov. Please include the following information within the student complaint form when describing the complaint:

    • Did the complaint result from distance education courses, activities and operations provided by a Texas SARA-participating institution?
    • Was the student a resident of a state other than Texas at the time of the complaint?
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Contact

SARA Policies and Procedures

Inquiries regarding SARA policies and procedures should be directed to Cathie Maeyaert.

Email Cathie Maeyaert