The following steps are provided to assist you in the application process:

• STEP 1: The institution’s representative should go to the NC-SARA website and download the appropriate document: Institution_Application_Final_1.8.21_1.pdf. When completing the appropriate application, please do not check the boxes under the heading, “STATE Entity to complete this column”. That column is reserved for the State Portal Entity (SPE). Also please download the NC-SARA Manual. It can be found at: https://www.nc-sara.org/content/sara-manual.
• STEP 2: In addition to the documents from STEP 1, a “Memorandum of Understanding between the Alabama State Portal Entity and the Institution” should be downloaded and completed. The Initial Application MOU can be found at https://ache.edu/wp-content/SARA/Initial-MOU.pdf. The Renewal Application MOU can be found at https://ache.edu/wp-content/Sara/Renewal-MOU.pdf
• STEP 3: Upon completion of the NC-SARA Application and the SPE MOU, submit both in hard copy or as an attachment to an email along with an institutional warrant (check) for the state service portal fee (only) based upon full-time enrollment (FTE) for the institution as provided on the scale within the MOU. Warrants (checks) should be made out to “State of Alabama (ACHE-ASPA).” All documents and warrants (checks) should be mailed to the attention of Ron Leonard at one of the following addresses:
  

  UPS or FedEx:			Standard Address:
  	Alabama Commission on Higher Education 100 North Union Street, Suite 782 Montgomery, AL 36104-3758			Alabama Commission on Higher Education P.O. Box 302000 Montgomery, AL 36130-2000

• STEP 4: Upon receipt of the SARA application, MOU, and SPE fee payment, the SPE will notify the institutional contact that the review is being conducted. If approved for membership, the SPE will notify the institution by email. The institution does not need to submit its application to NC-SARA. If denied membership, the SPE will notify the institution of the decision and circumstances of the decision. 
• STEP 5: With the completion of the registration review process by the SPE, the institutional representative must register in the NC-SARA System and pay national fees using the link in an email from NC-SARA once they receive notice of SPE approval. Once payment is made and confirmed at the aforementioned site, the institution will be notified. NC-SARA provides three means of payment: credit card,  institutional check, and wire transfer. Upon posting, the institution will receive a “welcome letter” from NC-SARA.

All institutions participating in SARA are encouraged to continue reviewing the NC-SARA website and the Alabama Commission On Higher Education’s website ache.edu for updated information and available student complaint information.

Thank you for your application. Allow me to wish you good luck and welcome to SARA. You may contact me at Ron.Leonard@ache.edu if you have questions. All inquires should be from the reciprocity institutional representative.