The Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (RIOPC) is aware of the health concerns schools are facing due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Approved proprietary schools may cease to offer face-to-face instruction to protect the well-being of students, staff and instructors, and offer distance education according to plans filed with the RIOPC. Schools that do not have the ability to offer distance learning options to students may postpone classes for the immediate future, according to plans filed with the RIOPC.

Degree-granting Institutions of Higher Education who are not NC-SARA approved through their State Portal Entity because they do not offer online instruction, who are now seeking temporary authorization from the RIOPC during the COVID-19 pandemic to offer instruction online to Rhode Island residents, should request permission in writing to the Commissioner of Postsecondary Education and include details on how the institution is supporting such transition, and information related to technology, faculty training/support, student accessibility, anticipated duration of transition, and their student complaint resolution policy.

RI-SARA Application

Complete this form to begin your application to operate under the terms of the RI State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (RI-SARA).

Note: Only non-profit institutions currently authorized to operate in Rhode Island can use this form. If your institution is in a different state, but is seeking to offer distance education to Rhode Island residents, please complete the Non-SARA application form.