GA-SARA Application Process. Please choose one of the options listed below:

Renewal Application Process

Institution Approval will require the completion and submission of the following to GA-SARA at least 30 days prior to your institution's expiration date:

  • NC-SARA’s Institutional Renewal Application (The application must be completed in its original form and with required original initials and signature of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or the Chief Academic Officer (CAO). Items 1 – 15 on the application may be initialed by the CEO or CAO. Alterations or substitutions will not be accepted.)
  • Supporting Documentation (required for all institutions)

    Several items of supporting documentation are required as part of the renewal application:

    • current accreditation by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education
    • documentation of written notification to students relative to programming that leads to professional licensure (see application item #9)
    • student complaint process
    • catastrophic event policies
    • GA-SARA fees (see below)
  • Additional Supporting Documentation required for non-public institutions: 
    • federal Financial Responsibility Composite Score
    • bond or letter of credit (applicable for institutions with a low composite score)

Fees

Institutions are required to pay a fee to participate in SARA.  This annual fee is based on an institution’s total full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment as shown in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and is assessed as follows:

GA-SARA has established the following fee structure for participating Georgia institutions:

GA-SARA annual fee schedule

FTE Students Fee
Fewer than 2,500 $1,250
2,500 – 9,999 $2,000
10,000 or more $2,750

NC-SARA has established its own Annual Fee Schedule for participating institutions that are paid directly to NC-SARA

Email completed application with supporting documents to [email protected] or mail the application with supporting documents to the address below. 

GA-SARA fees may be paid by check or money order payable to GNPEC (with memo notation "for: GA-SARA") mailed to the address below or online by selecting the Pay Online button:

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission

2082 E. Exchange Place, Suite 220

Tucker, GA 30084

To pay GA-SARA fees online, select the Pay Online button below that will take you to a secure, external site to complete your payment. 

Please first review the GA-SARA Annual Fee Schedule to determine the amount and include "GA-SARA" as the fee type on the payment form.  Also, please note that a 3.25% convenience fee is assessed if paying by credit card or e-check.

Initial Application Process

Institution Approval will require the completion and submission of the following to GA-SARA:

  • NC-SARA’s Initial Institutional Application (The application must be completed in its original form and with required original initials and signature of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or the Chief Academic Officer (CAO). Items 1 – 15 on the application may be initialed by the CEO or CAO. Alterations or substitutions will not be accepted.)
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

    Institutions that are not part of the University System of Georgia or the Technical College System of Georgia must complete and submit the  Download this pdf file. Memorandum of Understanding  for participation in GA-SARA as part of their application. Pages 1-7 need to be completed. The entire document must be submitted.

  • Supporting Documentation (required for all institutions)

    Several items of supporting documentation are required as part of the application:

    • documentation of legal domicile in Georgia
    • accreditation by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education
    • documentation of written notification to students relative to programming that leads to professional licensure (see application item #9)
    • student complaint process
    • catastrophic event policies (as applies to Distance Education lost access, possible teach outs, etc.)
    • GA-SARA fees (see below)
  • Additional Supporting Documentation required for private institutions: 
    • federal financial responsibility score
    • bond or letter of credit (if required, see Georgia Supplemental Page)

Fees

Institutions are required to pay a fee to participate in SARA.  This annual fee is based on an institution’s total full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment as shown in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and is assessed as follows:

GA-SARA has established the following fee structure for participating Georgia institutions: 

GA-SARA annual fee schedule     

All fees paid to GA-SARA are non-refundable.

FTE Students Fee
Fewer than 2,500 $1,250
2,500 – 9,999 $2,000
10,000 or more $2,750

NC-SARA has established its own Annual Fee Schedule for participating institutions that are paid directly to NC-SARA

Email completed application with supporting documents to [email protected] or mail the application with supporting documents to the address below. 

GA-SARA fees may be paid by check or money order payable to GNPEC (with memo notation "for: GA-SARA") mailed to the address below or online by selecting the Pay Online button:

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission

2082 E. Exchange Place, Suite 220

Tucker, GA 30084

To pay GA-SARA fees online, select the Pay Online button below that will take you to a secure, external site to complete your payment. 

Please first review the GA-SARA Annual Fee Schedule to determine the amount and include "GA-SARA" as the fee type on the payment form.  Also, please note that a 3.25% convenience fee is assessed if paying by credit card or e-check.