South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
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1: Important Agency Information to Note
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2: Types of Educational Providers Authorized
_X__ Public, in-state degree granting institutions
_X__ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
_X__ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_X__ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
____ Religious institutions
____ Tribally-controlled institutions
____ Federal Institutions
____ Municipal institutions
____ Institution _____ Program __X___ Both
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education licenses all out-of-state institutions that are operating or soliciting in South Carolina in any delivery format as well as in-state institutions not exempt by statute. *The Commission coordinates activities of in-state public institutions (program and facility approval) but does not authorize them through the Nonpublic Postsecondary Institution Act. Private, in‐state, not‐for‐profit degree granting institutions founded in SC prior to 1953 are exempt from authorization.
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation has oversight of specific occupations including nursing, barbering, and cosmetology.
SC Board of Nursing approves initial licensure Nursing programs.Board’s website: https://www.llr.sc.gov/POL/Nursing/
SC Board of Barber Examiners. Board’s website: https://www.llr.sc.gov/POL/Barber/
SC Board of Cosmetology. Board’s website: https://www.llr.sc.gov/POL/Cosmetology/
3: Accreditation
Yes, for degree-granting institutions.
Accreditation Required for:
_X__ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
____ Religious institutions
____ Tribally-controlled institutions
____ Federal Institutions
____ Municipal institutions
National or regional accreditation is required for authorization of non-public postsecondary degree granting institutions who wish to seek licensure in SC.
4: Exemptions
See Nonpublic Postsecondary Institution License Act, Section 59-58-30 (Exclusions)
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5: Authorization of Distance Education
No.
Yes.
No.
South Carolina does not require authorization of institutions that only enroll South Carolina residents into online programs unless the institutions operate or solicit in such a way that they create a physical presence.
6: Physical Presence Policy
The link for determining physical presence is below.
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7: Student Complaints - SARA Participating Institutions
SARA-related complaints are reviewed and processed according to SARA policy.
Complaints maybe referred to various state agencies depending on the nature of the complaint. Examples are included in the complaint form.
Contact Name: Argentini Anderson
Title: Assistant Director, Academic Affairs & Licensing
Agency: South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Address: 1122 Lady Street, Suite 400, Columbia, SC 29201
Email: aanderson@che.sc.gov
Phone: 803.856.0511
URL: https://che.sc.gov
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8: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
Step by step instructions for handling complaints from a variety of institutional types is explained in the complaint form.
Complaints maybe referred to various state agencies depending on the nature of the complaint. Examples are included in the complaint form.
Yes.
Contact:
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Academic Affairs
Attn: Student Complaint
1122 Lady Street, Suite 400, Columbia, SC 29201
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9: Surety Bonds
Yes
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10: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes, both licensed degree and nondegree granting institutions must have a tuition refund policy that is set forth in statute and regulation.
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11: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
No
SC requires that all nonpublic postsecondary institutions that are licensed by the SC Commission on Higher Education to maintain a surety bond that would cover any unearned tuition for students in the event of a school closure. We currently have the statutory authority to enact a STRF in SC if we ever promulgate some regulations for it. But currently, we only require the surety bonds.
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12: Reporting
Licensed institutions must submit an annual report or license renewal. The report includes information regarding finances, surety bond continuation, insurance, changes in operations, pending litigation, publications (catalog, enrollment contract), student records, enrollments, faculty, curriculum review, Title IV participation, agent permits, and pending complaints.
Annually.
No.
N/A requested by staff
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13: Enforcement
See Act, Section 59-58-130 Restraining violations of Chapter or rules and regulations; civil penalties; Section 59-58-110 Denial, revocation or suspension of license or permit; probation.
See CHE Regulation 62-28, Revoking, Suspending, or Refusing to Issue or Renew a License.
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14: Application Process
The institution must submit a letter of intent followed by an application for initial licensure (within two years of the LOI). The staff reviews the application and documents and makes a recommendation for staff approval or for a team evaluation. Staff/team recommendations are reviewed by the executive staff and forwarded to a subcommittee of the Commission. The subcommittee reviews and makes a recommendation to the full Commission. (See Procedures documents on Licensing page: http://www.che.sc.gov/InstitutionsEducators/Licensing/LicensingofNon-PublicPostsecondaryInstitutions.aspx)
N/A, must contact a member of the licensing staff to receive an application.
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15: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes. The initial licensure application fee is one-half of one-percent of projected gross tuition income (minimum $150, maximum $5,500).
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16: Records Retention
In the event that an institution closes, it must submit a plan to the Commission to provide for the retention and disposition of records. The plan shall provide for the assignment of the records to another institution or agency willing to accept responsibility for their safety, maintenance, distribution, and, where appropriate, disposal. If the institution cannot provide for assignment of the records to another institution or agency, the Commission may seize the records and, as necessary, negotiate for assignment of the records to another institution or agency that will accept responsibility for their safety, maintenance, distribution, and, where appropriate, disposal.
Student records can be requested through the Commission.
A complete list of records that the Commission maintains from closed institutions is listed on the transcript request form .
Information about closed schools previously licensed by the Commission and student record information is listed on the closed school directory.
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17: Additional Information
No.