State Authorization

State Authorization is a legal issue dealing with a college’s adherence to state requirements for colleges to secure authorization to offer instruction in that state. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended 2010. Institutions offering distance education courses or programs must provide current and prospective students with the contact information for filing complaints with the college, its accrediting agency, and with the state agencies that handle complaints in the students' state of residence.

Students may reference the NC-SARA website to verify that Stanly Community College is authorized to offer Distance Learning courses in their state. Registration of students from states not included in NC-SARA may require additional time and information so please allow additional time for this process.

Students residing outside of the State of North Carolina while taking online courses from Stanly Community College who desire to resolve an academic grievance or complaint should first follow Stanly Community College's Student Complaint Process.

Notifying SCC of Change of Student’s Physical Location

Due to federal and state regulations, Stanly Community College seeks to verify student location at time of registration for curriculum students and at the beginning of online continuing education courses.

If you will be physically located for the majority of your course in a different state/territory than the one Stanly Community College has on file as your mailing address*, please complete the following form to receive updated information: Change of Physical Location for Duration of Course

*If you need to update your mailing address with Stanly Community College, please go to the SCC Student Forms webpage and complete the appropriate "Information Change/Update" form.

Stanly Community College and NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Procedures

Stanly Community College (SCC) is a member of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). Students are advised to begin the process at the institutional level.

Stanly Community College Student Complaint Process

Stanly Community College recognizes the importance of a prompt and efficient resolution process for both academic as well as non-academic student grievances.  For specific details and timeline regarding the process at SCC, see the Student Grievance Policy and Student Grievance Procedures located online in the College Catalog.

Prior to taking formal action, the student is strongly encouraged, but is not required, to discuss his or her grievance with the person alleged to have caused the grievance.  If a student decides not to present his or her grievance to the person alleged to have caused the grievance or if the student is not satisfied with the response, he or she may present the grievance in writing, by completing the Student Appeals Form, to the administrator of the department or area where the person alleged to have caused the grievance is employed. 

For complaints or concerns, students may also contact: 

Jennifer Hatley, Dean of Students

Stanly Community College
141 College Drive
Patterson Building Room 109
Albemarle, NC 28001

Phone: 704-991-0193
Email: jhatley9287@stanly.edu

North Carolina Complaint Procedures and Forms

If you were unable to resolve a complaint through the institution's grievance procedures, please review the Student Complaint Policy (PDF), print and complete the Student Complaint Form (PDF), and submit the complaint to:

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina System Office
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800, Raleigh, NC 27603
Telephone: (919) 962-4550
Website: North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints

SACSCOC Student Complaint Process

If for some reason the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, the next step would be to file a complaint with Stanly Community College's accrediting agency. Stanly Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Stanly Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Students who file a complaint with the accrediting agency should follow the SACSCOC Complaint Procedure (PDF which includes the Complaint Form). The contact information for SACS is:

1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Telephone: 404-679-4500
Website: http://www.sacscoc.org

SARA-NC Complaint Process

Students may also file a complaint through SARA-NC. SARA-NC is the portal for North Carolina. Students should follow the SARA-NC Complaint Process and use the SARA-NC Complaint Form (PDF).

SARA-NC Portal Liaison Contact Information:

Terrence R. Scarborough, M.P.A. - Director of SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
Telephone: (855) SARA-1-NC (727-2162)
Telephone: (919) 248-4660
email: terrence@saranc.org
Website: https://www5.ncseaa.edu/SARANC/index.html

Professional Licensure

If you are considering a program at Stanly Community College that leads to state educational requirements for licensure or certification, please contact the individual listed below to inquire about enrollment and professional licensure options before beginning a program.

Stanly Community College academic programs (credit and non-credit) that are designed to lead to state educational requirements for professional licenses are either tied to the State of North Carolina or national certification.

If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside the State of North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Stanly Community College, please refer to the appropriate program disclosure. 

View the directory of state and national contacts to learn about the appropriate licensing or certification organization for your program:

• U.S. Department of Education
• Licensure List 

Student Complaint Information by State and Agency

Directory of State Authorization and Lead Contacts