1. Veterans Education Certifying Officials Conference Friday, July 25, 2008 | Worcester State College

2. State Approving Agency  Aundrea Kelley Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Policy  George O’Connor Director for Veterans Education  Shelley Tinkham Associate Director for Academic Policy  Dawn Distasio Administrative & Outreach Coordinator for Veterans Education  John Ebuen Program Specialist for Veterans Education Staff

3. State Approving Agency Functions In Concert State LevelFederal Level

4. State Approving Agency State Level Education Programs Resources Support Organizations Outreach Veteran Certifying Official

5. State Approving Agency Federal Level Compliance Training Approval Outreach Certifying Official GI Bill Veterans Administration

6. State Approving Agency Federal Level Opportunities Other Benefits Use of Benefits Veterans Outreach GI Bill

7. 7 State Approving Agency What is the difference between the SAA and the VA?  The State Approving Agency (SAA) is a state government agency that approves specific schools, organizations and programs  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal government agency measures the training level and pays benefits to veterans who attend SAA-approved schools and programs

8. 8 Program Approvals What programs need to be approved for the GI Bill?  New Organization – New Program  Existing Organization – New Program  Existing Organization – Change in Program

9. Application Visit Evaluation FindingApproveDisapprove Program Approvals New Program Approvals

10. Letter Indicating Change Possible Visit / Follow up Evaluation Program Approvals Changes in Approved Programs FindingApproveDisapprove

11. Is Veteran Eligible For GI Bill Benefit? Is Place of Training Approved By SAA? YES Is Program Approved By SAA? Payment To Veterans Program Approvals What VA Looks For

12. SAA Visits Inspection Information Supervisory VA Requested Program Approvals

13. Supervisory Site Visits  Purpose  SAA Coverage Area  The Site Visit: 3-Stage Process  Summary Overview

14. Supervisory Site Visits  38 U.S.C. 3675 (b). SAA must find the following:  (1) …Adequate records are kept showing grades and progress, and that student meets standards…  (2) …Record of previous training and experience…appropriate credit given…training period shortened proportionately. Purpose

15. Supervisory Site Visits MA SAA Coverage Area

16. Supervisory Site Visits MemberActions Certifying Official  Gather veterans records  Ensure all information is included in the records (discussed in next slide)  Gather all school catalogs  Prepare new program approval letters, if any SAA  Send site visit requests  Send confirmation e-mail  Review WEAMS for approved programs  Review historical records Pre-Visit Actions

17. Supervisory Site Visits  38 CFR § 21.4253 (d) What To Keep In Veteran’s Record Military & VA Documentation 22-1999 22-1999b *Copies of 22-1990 or 22-5490 *Copies of 22-1995 or 22-5495 Any correspondence from VA relating to the student *Copies of DD-214 or NOBE * If available School Documentation Application for admission Transcripts from ALL colleges and schools previously attended, including your school Transfer evaluations Copies of drops/withdrawal forms, when applicable Remedial/deficiency courses certified to VA Conduct reports Other relevant school documentation

18. Supervisory Site Visits MemberActions DURING Certifying Official  Be available to ask and answer any questions  Sign and certify three catalogs  Submit new program approval letters, if any  Inform SAA of any changes to approved programs SAA  Collect certified catalogs, approval letters, etc.  Review veterans records AFTER Certifying Official  Contact SAA or VA for assistance when necessary—ongoing  Inform SAA of any program changes (new catalogs, policies, length of program, etc.)—ongoing  Confirm and follow up on any action items SAA  Write up site visit notes, which include action items  Send CO list of action items from the visit  Follow up on any action items  Review publications  Complete site visit report  Send site visit report to VA and CO During and After Visit

19. Supervisory Site Visits  Purpose: Bottom Line—Taking Care of the Veteran  Map of Coverage Area  Veterans Records  Before, During, and After the Site Visit—Team Effort Summary John Ebuen: (617) 994-6913, jebuen@bhe.mass.edujebuen@bhe.mass.edu