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College and University Evaluation

New York Institutions

Obtaining a Religious Institution Certification Letter for Purposes of Participation in Federal Title IV Student Financial Aid Programs (non-degree institutions only)

This page provides the link to the required forms and the submission process for a religious institution to obtain confirmation of exemption from the State Authorization requirements concerning the provision of non-credit, non-degree postsecondary education programs in New York State. This process is intended for institutions that need documentation in order to apply to participate in Federal Title IV student financial aid programs. NOTE: Degree-granting institutions are not exempt from state authorization requirements in New York State and are not eligible for a Religious Institution Certification Letter.

Required forms and submission process:

Step 1. Print out forms Religious Institution Certification Form with Attachment A

Step 2. Complete forms:

Must be printed or typewritten

  1. Note that both the Religious institution Certification Form and Attachment A must be signed by the President, Chief Executive Officer or Director of Religious Institution

Step 3. Scan the completed Certification Form with Attachment A and save it in a PDF file. Other file formats (.jpg, .png, etc.) will not be accepted. Name the file:

“1-Religious Institution Certification Request – (Institution Name).PDF”

Step 4. Scan and save into a single PDF file the documentation establishing that the organization is lawfully operating as a nonprofit religious corporation pursuant to New York State’s Religious Corporations Law. Other file formats (.jpg, .png, etc.) will not be accepted.  Name the file:

“2-Religious Institution Incorporation – (Institution Name).PDF”

Step 5. Attach the two PDF files to an email. The subject line of the email should be:  Religious Institution Certification Letter

Step 6. Send the email to  OCUEINFO@nysed.gov (link sends e-mail)

NOTE:  INCOMPLETE FORMS, UNSIGNED FORMS, FORMS IN THE WRONG FILE FORMAT, FORMS/DOCUMENT WITH PAGES OUT OF ORDER OR SIDEWAYS, AND FORMS SUBMITTED WITHOUT FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.

Questions? Send via email to OCUEINFO@nysed.gov (link sends e-mail)