National Accreditation
As a parent or future student, deciding what school is the right choice takes time and effort. This decision should not be taken lightly. In your research, visit all schools that interest you because you will no doubt come across the term “Nationally Accredited“.
Through the years, accreditation of schools has been the most authoritative and reliable index of a school’s concern for integrity toward its students and quality education. The accreditation process is completely voluntary and currently not a requirement to operate a school in Illinois.
When a school is Nationally Accredited, it means:
- The US Dept of Education may recognize the school for participation into Title IV financial aid programs.
- The school has successfully met national standards of educational performance for its curriculum’s.
- A financial audit has been completed to ensure that the institution is financially sound to operate and students tuition is not at risk.
Universal Spa Training Academy is nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS)
- National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences
- 3015 Colvin Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314
It is up to each school to determine its worthiness in attaining National Accreditation. For schools unable to achieve accreditation due to finances or curriculum or simply do not want to become nationally accredited, it is a personal choice.
A question often brought up occurs when a school states that it is accredited by the “State of Illinois”. To clarify this statement; schools are simply “licensed” to operate their business by the State of Illinois. A “State license” for a school is not accreditation, it is just a license to operate. For non-accredited schools, students generally pay out of pocket.
If a school’s accrediting board is not nationally recognized, then it is not considered to be “nationally accredited” in the eyes of the US Department of Education in regard to participation in Title IV federal financial aid programs for its students.