National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges

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The National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges (NAPNSC) was a United States educational accreditation agency, based in Grand Junction, Colorado, that was not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. NAPNSC specialized in the accreditation of higher education institutions that exclusively offer distance education programs.

It was established in 1974, [1] under the name National Association for Schools and Colleges, by educators associated with Western Colorado University, an institution in Grand Junction which has subsequently closed down. [2] According to John Bear, although the organization continued to improve its standards and process, its applications for Department of Education recognition were turned down on multiple occasions. NAPNSC continued to seek recognition. [2] Because the organization was not a recognized U.S. accreditor, students attending institutions that are accredited solely by NAPNSC are not eligible for Title IV student assistance funding (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc.). [3]

As of November 2006, three institutions were listed as being accredited by NAPNSC. They were: [4]

In September 2010, John Bear reported on his website that the organization "seem[ed] to have gone away". He noted that its website had not been updated in the previous three years and its telephone number was "no longer in service". [6]

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References

  1. ↑ History, National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges website, archived November 28, 2007
  2. 1 2 Mariah P. Bear, John Bear, Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, 2003, Ten Speed Press. ISBN   1-58008-431-1.
  3. ↑ College Accreditation in the United States, U.S. Department of Education, accessed April 11, 2010
  4. ↑ Institutions, National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges website, archived November 28, 2007
  5. ↑ "Tax Bulletin Master VI March 2012 CURRENT" (PDF).[ permanent dead link ][ failed verification ][ dead link ]
  6. ↑ "Thread: National Association accrediting agency seems to have gone away", DegreeInfo.com, September 23, 2010, retrieved April 11, 2012CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
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