Application and Approval Form for Institution Participation in SARA

An institution applying to operate under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) must submit this form to its Home State’s State Portal Entity. The form is used for both initial application and renewals. Institutions should indicate on the top right area of the first page if it’s an initial application or a renewal application.

APPLICATION AND APPROVAL FORM FOR INSTITUTION PARTICIPATION IN SARA

The Application and Approval Form for Institution Participation in SARA has been updated and a new version will be effective July 1, 2026. During the 2025 SARA Policy Modification Process cycle, proposals were approved that require changes as outlined below. Adjustments to the application have also been made to support the “electronic enhancements” initiative, which in part will provide information from the SARA portal to institutions as they begin the annual SARA-participation renewal process (look for more information in late 2026).

To easily identify the updates and changes you will find a “redline version” below to make clear the changes and updates to this version of the institution application. The latest SARA policy can be found in the SARA Policy Manual.

  • New disclosure requirement per PMP25-0746: Submitting Teach Out Plans to States
  • Added language to the preamble at the beginning of the application per PMP25-0750: SPE’s Ability to Review a New Institution Applicant
  • New disclosure requirement per PMP25-0751: Provisional Status Disclosure
  • New disclosure requirement per PMP25-0753: SPE Notification of Changes to FRC Scores

The current institution application above will be utilized as long as it is either emailed to your SPE by 11:59 p.m. MT no later than June 30, 2026, or postmarked by June 30, if mailed to the SPE. Beginning on July 1, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. MT, the updated institution application must be used. An example of an institution that is renewing during this application transition period is as follows.

Example:

XYZ University – Participation Period: July 2, 2025 to July 2, 2026

  1. Their renewal period opens 90 days before July 2, 2026, which is April 2, 2026.
  2. As of April 2, 2026, the institution can submit their renewal application to the SPE.
  3. If the institution submits to the SPE by June 30, 2026, they would use the current application above.
  4. If the institution submits on July 1, 2026, or after, they would use the updated application below.

All institutions will begin using this revised form on July 1, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. MT.

Please contact your SPE with any questions.

State Portal Entity (SPE) contact information

Financial Responsibility Ratio Methodology Calculation – Updated Links (2.4.2022)

Link to Appendix A to Subpart L of Part 668 – Ratio Methodology for Propriety Institutions: eCFR :: 34 CFR Part 668 Subpart L — Financial Responsibility

Link to Appendix B to Subpart L of Part 668 – Ratio Methodology for Private Non-Profit Institutions: eCFR :: 34 CFR Part 668 Subpart L — Financial Responsibility

Application and Approval Form for State Membership in SARA

This form is for states. A state that would like to apply for or renew membership in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) must submit this form and required documentation to its regional education compact’s SARA office.

APPLICATION AND APPROVAL FORM FOR STATE MEMBERSHIP IN SARA

The application and approval form for state membership in SARA has been updated and the new version, linked below, is effective July 1, 2026. For submission through June 30, 2026, please use the current application linked above. To easily identify the latest updates and changes to the application, you will find a redline version linked below.

The application has been updated to reflect the July 1, 2026, effective dates of PMP25-0752 regarding consistent use of “Title IV” in the SARA Policy Manual and PMP25-0750 regarding a SARA SPEs ability to review a new institution application. For reference, the new policies can be found in the SARA Policy Manual subsection 2.5 Functional responsibilities of SARA States, subsections 2.5.b and 2.5.c accordingly.

Please continue to utilize the current application linked above if submitting it by June 30, 2026. Beginning July 1, 2026, and forward please utilize the latest version:

For any questions, please contact info@nc-sara.org.