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.
[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.).
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".