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NC SARA

Jefferson College is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC- SARA), which helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs. Currently, more than 2,200 institutions over 49 states participate in NC-SARA. It is a voluntary organization. NC SARA goals include:

  1. Improves distance education program quality nationwide.
  2. Access to distance education programs across state lines becomes simpler.
  3. Costs and bureaucracy between states and institutions is reduced.
  4. Coordination is improved between states on higher education opportunities.
  5. Provides oversight of distance education programs.
  6. Out-of-state learning data is shared.

NC-SARA’s mission is:

  • To provide broad access to postsecondary education opportunities to students across the country.
  • To increase the quality and value of higher learning credentials earned via distance education; and
  • To assure students are well served in a rapidly changing education landscape.

Complaint Resolution for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA)

A student has the right to file a complaint or grievance. Jefferson College will ensure that all concerns and complaints of students are addressed fairly and are resolved promptly.  Jefferson College students enrolled in online and distance courses, as well as on-campus courses, should attempt to resolve complaints by following the appropriate appeal, complaint, or grievance process as outlined in the Jefferson College General Catalog (P. 32), Student Handbook (P. 55), or Board Policy and Procedures.

Students with a complaint must first attempt to resolve the issue at Jefferson College by completing the school's complaint process. Exhaustion of all informal and formal institutional processes, including both campus processes and any applicable system processes, is a prerequisite to filing any formal complaint with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

The student will be directed to submit the complaint in writing, using a complaint form provided by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. It may be mailed, scanned, or faxed to the department and must include supporting documentation. If there is no indication institutional remedies have been exhausted, the complaint will be returned for that purpose. Complaints that fall within the jurisdiction of the department will be investigated and resolved as appropriate by the relevant unit of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. All parties to the complaint will be notified of its resolution.

If dissatisfied with the resolution of Jefferson College grievance process, the student may file a complaint with:

Joshua Fischer: 573.522.1377
Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
State Portal Agent for SARA
301 West High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101