Online Accreditation and State Authorization
Accreditation
Important Note for Prospective Students:
Trinidad State College (TSC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Higher Learning Commission is an institutional accrediting agency recognized
by the U.S. Department of Education. This federally-recognized body assures students,
parents and all stakeholders that TSC meets clear quality standards for educational
and financial performance. In addition to TSC's Higher Learning Commission accreditation,
some of TSC's academic programs carry specialized accreditation specific to the field.
State Authorization
Trinidad State College works through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) process to ensure that when authorization for delivering online courses is necessary,
required approvals are secured. Colorado is a member of SARA and TSC is an approved
SARA institution. Therefore, we adhere to the established standards for offering distance
education among the member states, districts, and territories. Participation in SARA
is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary
institutions based in another state and TSC is currently authorized or exempt to approval
in all states.
Colorado
TSC is authorized by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education
(SBCCOE) to offer its programs to residents of Colorado. Therefore, TSC complies with
Colorado regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.
Approved States
As an approved SARA institution, TSC complies with state regulations to offer programs
to residents of the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut,
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington,
West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
California
As an out-of-state public institution, TSC is not currently under the purview of any
California agency for postsecondary education. Until California gives further direction,
we will not be able to grant financial aid to and California student.
Massachusetts
Because TSC does not have a physical presence in the state, TSC is not required by
the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to obtain approval from the Board to offer
its programs to residents of Massachusetts. Therefore, TSC complies with Massachusetts
regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.
Approved Districts and Territories
As an approved SARA institution, Community College of Denver complies with regulations
to offer programs to residents of the following districts and territories:
District of Columbia,
U.S. Virgin Islands,
Guam
Because TSC does not have a physical presence in Guam, TSC is not required by the
Guam Council on Postsecondary Institution Certification to obtain approval from the
Council to offer its programs to residents of Guam. Therefore, TSC complies with Guam
regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.
International Students
Trinidad State College works to provide global access to its online degree programs.
While we carefully track issues related to international authorization and licensure,
it is the student’s responsibility to understand current circumstances or special
requirements surrounding whether the online degree selected will be recognized in
the country of residence; how the collection of student data may be used in your country;
and, whether you will be subject to additional withholding taxes in addition to the
price of tuition. Several countries will not formally recognize foreign online degrees,
which may have implications for students who later seek to enroll in other educational
programs, or for those who seek employment with the country’s government or other
employers requiring specific credentials. International students considering an academic
program that leads to a professional license should first confirm with the appropriate
professional licensing board in their country of residence whether a TSC degree is
recognized when seeking licensure or certification.
Complaint Resolution
Trinidad State College’s Student Grievance Procedure details how all students regardless of residency should file formal complaints or
grievances for a variety of issues, both instructional and non-instructional. This
is always the required first step when there is a complaint.
If grievances are not satisfactorily resolved after an internal attempt by TSC, Colorado
resident students can then file with the Colorado State Portal Entity if their complaint
is non-instructional.
For out-of-state students who reside in a SARA state (AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DC,
DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE,
NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY)
the Colorado State Portal Entity has jurisdiction over Colorado SARA-approved institutions
including TSC in relation to non-instructional complaints. Instructional complaints,
such as grade grievances, are not reviewed by the Portal Entity and should not be
submitted for review.
If grievances are not satisfactorily resolved after an internal attempt by TSC, students
who do not reside in a SARA state may file a complaint with an agency in the student’s
state of residence. See Complaint Filing Procedure for Students Outside of Colorado for a list of state agencies.