State Approvals, Authorizations, Certifications, Exemptions, Licenses, and Registrations

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In addition to accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and specific program accreditations, South University holds the following state approvals, authorizations, certifications, and licenses: 

StateStatement 
AlabamaSouth University, Montgomery, qualifies for exemption from the requirements of licensure by the Department of Postsecondary Education in the State of Alabama pursuant to the Code of Alabama §16-46-3(a)(7), as amended. An exemption pursuant to this section shall not be construed to constitute approval or endorsement by the state of Alabama for any purpose (135 S Union St; Montgomery, AL 36104-4340 or PO Box 302130; Montgomery, AL 36130-2130; 334-293-4500; www.accs.edu).

South University, Savannah, is exempted from programmatic review by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education pursuant to the Code of Alabama §16-5-10 (14).  South University, Savannah is licensed by the Alabama Community College System, Private School Licensing Division (P.O. Box 302130 Montgomery, AL 36130-2130, Private School Licensure - Alabama Community College System (www.accs.edu). 
California

Without a physical presence in California, South University is not required to seek approval from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education under the California Private Postsecondary Act of 2009 (https://www.bppe.ca.gov/lawsregs/ppe_act.pdf).

The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss.  Unless relived of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the fund STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.

You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.

It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school.  Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95833, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following: 

  • The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
  • You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120 day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120 day period before the program was discontinued. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before the closure.
  • The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
  • The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law, or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
  • You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
  • You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.

A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of non-collection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery.  If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.

However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number. 

FloridaSouth University is exempt from licensure by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education, per Florida Statute 1009.89. Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400, toll-free telephone number (888)224-6684. 
GeorgiaSouth University, Savannah, meets the criteria for an exemption from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission's (NPEC 2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220, Tucker, GA 30084-5305; 770-414-3300) regulations as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 20-3-250.3(a)(14). 
North CarolinaSouth University, High Point is licensed by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to offer degree programs under matters regulated by General Statute 116-15 (University of North Carolina General Administration, PO Box 2688; Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2688; 919-962-4558;  http://www.northcarolina.edu/). 
Puerto Rico South University does not recruit or enroll Puerto Rico residents. 
South CarolinaSouth University, Columbia is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, 
(1122 Lady Street, Suite 400, Columbia, SC 29201, 803-737-2260, www.che.sc.gov) as a nonpublic postsecondary institution. Licensure indicates only that minimum standards have been met; it is not an endorsement or guarantee of quality. Licensure is not equivalent to or synonymous with accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 
TexasSouth University, Austin is exempted by the Texas Workforce Commission under Texas Education Code, Section 132.002(a)(6). Exemption means that this campus of South University is not approved or regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission (101 E 15 St; Austin, TX 78778-0001; 512-463-2222; www.texasworkforce.org).

South University, Austin and South University, Savannah (Online Programs) each hold the Certificates of Authorization acknowledging exemption from the regulation by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as defined in Chapter 7.3 of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's rules (PO Box 12788; Austin, TX 78711 or 1200 E. Anderson Lane; Austin, TX 78752; 512-427- 6200; www.thecb.state.tx.us).
VirginiaSouth University, Richmond, 2151 Old Brick Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060 and South University, Virginia Beach, 301 Bendix Road, Suite 100, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 are certified to operate in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (James Monroe Building, 101 North 14th St; Richmond, VA 23219; 804-225-2600; www.schev.edu). 
NC-SARA

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
South University has been provisionally approved by the state of Georgia to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which is overseen by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education and allows institutions to offer distance education to students in all SARA member states and territories.    

South University is provisionally approved due to our funding status with the Department of Education.  Our SARA participation remains provisional until the conditions resulting in provisional status have been resolved.

GA SARA website:  State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) | Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission

NC-SARA website:  NC-SARA Homepage | NC-SARA