State Approving Agencies: Core Functions Rob Breeckner – Ohio State Approving Agency Director Dan Wellman – Illinois State Approving Agency Administrator Tuesday, June 20, 2017

State Approving Agency Core Functions Approval of Programs Compliance and Other Visits to Schools and Training Establishments Technical Assistance Outreach Liaison Contract Compliance

APPROVAL OF PROGRAMS Institutions of Higher Learning Non-College Degree Programs Apprenticeships On-the-Job Training Programs Flight Training Programs Correspondence Programs Licensing and Certification Exams

APPROVAL OF PROGRAMS Authority for Approval Degree Programs at Accredited Public and Non-Profit Institutions of Higher Learning (38 USC 3672) Degree and Non-College Degree Programs at Accredited Educational Institutions Not Covered by Section 3672 (38 USC 3675 and 38 CFR 21.4253) Degree and Non-College Degree Programs at Nonaccredited Educational Institutions (38 USC 3676 and 21 CFR 21.4254)

APPROVAL OF PROGRAMS Approval Criteria at Degree Programs at Accredited Public and Non-Profit Institutions of Higher Learning (38 USC 3672) Proof Proper Accreditation and State Licensing Adequate Records demonstrating enforcement of grades, progress and conduct Written record of previous education and training demonstrating credit granted, training program proportionately shortened Cannot approve bartending, personality, certain sales, and avocational/recreational courses; or programs offered by radio Systems and capability to report enrollment, interruption and termination Advertising, Sales and Enrollment Practices Prohibition against offering commission/bonus payments for directly or indirectly securing enrollments or financial aid No Federal Trade Commission Cease and Desist Orders Contractual Programs

APPROVAL OF PROGRAMS Approval Criteria at Degree Programs at Accredited Public and Non-Profit Institutions of Higher Learning (38 USC 3672) Proof Proper Accreditation and State Licensing Adequate Records demonstrating enforcement of grades, progress and conduct Written record of previous education and training demonstrating credit granted, training program proportionately shortened Cannot approve bartending, personality, certain sales, and avocational/recreational courses; or programs offered by radio Systems and capability to report enrollment, interruption and termination Advertising, Sales and Enrollment Practices Prohibition against offering commission/bonus payments for directly or indirectly securing enrollments or financial aid No Federal Trade Commission Cease and Desist Orders Contractual Programs

APPROVAL OF PROGRAMS Additional Concerns at Degree Programs at Accredited Public and Non-Profit Institutions of Higher Learning (38 USC 3672) Distance Education Independent Study Branch Locations Practical Training Remedial/Deficiency Courses Study Abroad Cooperative Training

APPROVAL OF PROGRAMS Approval Criteria at Degree and Non-College Degree Programs at Accredited Educational Institutions Not Covered by Section 3672 (38 USC 3675 and 38 CFR 21.4253) Proof Proper Accreditation and State Licensing Programs consistent in quality, length and content with similar courses Adequate space, equipment, instructional material Educational qualifications of directors, administrators, faculty Adequate records for enforcement of grades and satisfactory progress Standards of progress specific enough to determine termination point Conduct records Written record of previous education and training demonstrating credit granted, training program proportionately shortened

APPROVAL OF PROGRAMS Approval Criteria at Degree and Non-College Degree Programs at Accredited Educational Institutions Not Covered by Section 3672 (38 USC 3675 and 38 CFR 21.4253) Cannot approve bartending, personality, certain sales, and avocational/recreational courses; or programs offered by radio Systems and capability to report enrollment, interruption and termination Advertising, Sales and Enrollment Practices Prohibition against offering commission/bonus payments for directly or indirectly securing enrollments or financial aid No Federal Trade Commission Cease and Desist Orders Contractual Programs If Attendance Standards exist, are their adequate systems and records to enforce

APPROVAL OF PROGRAMS Approval Criteria at Degree and Non-College Degree Programs at Accredited Educational Institutions Not Covered by Section 3672 (38 USC 3675 and 38 CFR 21.4253) Distance Education Independent Study Branch Locations Practical Training Remedial/Deficiency Courses Study Abroad Cooperative Training School Catalog Requirements

Compliance and Other Visits to Schools and Training Establishments Conduct compliance visits to education and training facilities Conduct visits to education and training facilities at the request of the VA

Technical Assistance Organize school meetings Provide assistance to facility officials on any aspect of the approval process Provide assistance during telephone interviews where approval criteria and processes are discussed

Outreach Promote usage of the GI Bill through various avenues: Separation briefings Veterans’ Benefit and Resource Fairs Reintegration events for returning troops Student Veteran Club Meetings on Campus

Liaison Present and attend various professional organization meetings – AVECO, Apprenticeship Council, Financial Aid Administrators, College Registrars, Department of Labor Respond to veterans who have received denial of benefit letters from the USDVA. Regular meetings with VARO staff to review progress of the business/budget plan

Contract Compliance Ensuring SAA meets all the requirements of its contract with the federal government – well over 60 performance measures

Questions