veterans education certifying officials conference friday, july 25, 2008 | worcester state college
TRANSCRIPT
Friday, July 25, 2008 | Worcester State College
State Approving Agency
Aundrea Kelley Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Policy
George O’ConnorDirector for Veterans Education
Shelley Tinkham Associate Director for Academic Policy
Dawn Distasio Administrative & Outreach Coordinator for Veterans Education
John EbuenProgram Specialist for Veterans Education
Staff
State Approving Agency
Functions In Concert
State Level Federal Level
State Approving Agency
State Level
Education Programs
Resources
Support Organizations
Out
reac
h
Veteran Certifying Official
State Approving Agency
Federal Level
Compliance
Training
Approval
Out
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Certifying Official
GI Bill
Veterans Administration
State Approving Agency
Federal Level
Opportunities
Other Benefits
Use ofBenefits
Veterans
Out
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h GI Bill
7
State Approving AgencyWhat 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
Program ApprovalsWhat programs need to be approved for the GI Bill?
New Organization – New Program
Existing Organization – New Program
Existing Organization – Change in Program
Application
Visit
Evaluation
Finding Approve Disapprove
Program Approvals
New Program Approvals
Letter Indicating Change
Possible Visit / Follow up
Evaluation
Program Approvals
Changes in Approved Programs
Finding Approve Disapprove
Is Veteran Eligible For GI Bill Benefit?
Is Place of Training Approved By SAA?
YES
YES
YES Is Program Approved By SAA?
Payment To Veterans
Program Approvals
What VA Looks For
SAA Visits
Inspection
InformationSupervisory
VA Requested
Program Approvals
Supervisory Site Visits
Purpose
SAA Coverage Area
The Site Visit: 3-Stage Process
Summary
Overview
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
Supervisory Site Visits
MA SAA Coverage Area
Supervisory Site Visits
Member Actions
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
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
Supervisory Site Visits
During and After Visit
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, [email protected]