1. North Carolina State Approving Agency
Dr. Joseph Wescott II, Executive Director, NC SAA

2. NC SAA Staff Joseph Wescott II, Executive Director Program Specialists
Elizabeth Kelly
Jay Fitzgerald
Meghan-Joy Woodall
John Pritchett
Kathy Nicholson, Program Assistant
NCSU Interns: Jon Charest & Annie Lu

3. NC SAA Staff Program Specialists’ Assignments*
All: Public and Private Universities, Community Colleges
Elizabeth Kelly: On-Military-Base, Truck, Beauty, Barber
Jay Fitzgerald: Religious Exempt Institutions & Nursing
Meghan-Joy Woodall: Trade, Business, Hospitals, Massage
Joseph Wescott: Flight, High Schools, L&C, new applications
* Note: Some assignment overlap occurs based on workload

4. The Players The “Triad” Other players Mutual trust, Mutual dependence!VA
SAA
Institution/SCO
Other players
DoE
DoL
FAA
Accrediting agencies
State L&C agencies
Mutual trust,
Mutual dependence!

5. Our VA Partners U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Eric K. Shinseki
Undersecretary for Benefits
Allison A. Hickey
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA)
Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO)
VA Regional Processing Office (RPO) – Atlanta
Education Liaison Representative (ELR)

6. SAA & VACO Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) Services provided
Atlanta
Buffalo
St. Louis
Muskogee
Services provided
Guidance
Instruction
Coordinates claims processing

7. It Takes A Team! SAA & VACO collaborate to help you
Interpret laws and regulations
Maintain integrity of programs
Train the SCOs
Encourage greater use of VA benefits
Help your school better serve veterans! VA
VA Central Office (VACO)
Regional Processing Office (RPO)
Education Liaison Rep (ELR)
State Approving Agency (SAA)
School Certifying Official (SCO)

8. History FDR signs GI Bill of Rights
Congress recognizes responsibility of States to determine education of its citizens
Late State Approving Agencies created;
1940’s overseen by Governor, but funded by the VA
Today A cooperative and successful combined federal-state program!

9. Mission & Responsibility
NC SAA
Mission & Responsibility
To ensure quality instruction, appropriate administration, and fair and equitable practices for every veteran (and eligible person) who enters a NC SAA-approved educational program.
We do this by:
Validating and approving educational courses and programs to be pursued by veterans and eligible persons
Overseeing North Carolina’s educational institutions, and ensuring compliance with federal and state guidelines
Ensuring the interests and prerogatives of the State are preserved in both processes

10. A New Era of Student Veterans
NC SAA
A New Era of Student Veterans
The DVA estimates that the number of post 9/11 veterans will double over the next 20 years from 2.1 million to 4.1 million.
More than 200,000 service members are expected to transition from active duty service each year for the next five years.
In the academic year veteran students averaged a 2.98 GPA and had a 90.5% success rate in earning college credits.

11. A New Era of Student Veterans
NC SAA
A New Era of Student Veterans
Student Veterans of America’s Million Records Project
Track the academic outcomes of more than 1 million student veterans.
Correlate on-campus services to high graduation rates.
Implement on-campus best practices at 950+ SVA chapters across the US with the goal of increasing veteran degree attainment.

12. NC SAA VA & NASAA Initiatives National VA Online Complaint System
The centralized online reporting system
Report negative experiences with educational institutions
Identify and address unfair, deceptive, and misleading practices
Ensure high quality academic and student support services
VA Online Comparison Tool
Easier to calculate Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and learn more about VA’s approved colleges, universities and other education and training programs across the country.

13. Our Partnership with You
NC SAA
Our Partnership with You
Approvals
Evaluate educational programs for approval
Provide written evaluations and approvals to VA and the schools  
Inspections and Compliance Survey Visits
Visit and inspect each active educational institution
Confirm compliance for approved courses and programs  
Technical Assistance
Respond to institutional and veteran requests for information and assistance
Provide written reports to DVA, as requested
Maintain records and files for the State of North Carolina

14. NC SAA
The Approval
This is THE document that actually conveys State / DVA approval for educational programs to be considered for payment under the GI Bill.
Your Approval contains…
General information about your school
Programs and hours that are approved (or EXCLUDED…)
Calendars, tuition and fees
Unique programs or policies (Remedial / Branches, others…)
Requirements specific to your institution

15. NC SAA The Approval Remember:
Every approval is different! It is specific to your school or institution, and is based upon your catalog and applicable state and federal law.
You should read/review your approval annually.
Many of your questions are answered here. Keep it handy!

16. The Approval

17. The Approval

18. The Approval

19. NC SAA The Approval The Addendum… A unique NC SAA Form that contains…
The General Information section from the Approval, AND
A specific change to the Approval
Corrects or changes some portion of an Approval
Examples:
Changes to the academic calendar date (after published)
Change of policy in Requirements section
Delete a program or change the hours approved for a program

20. NC SAA The Approval The Addendum…
Addenda are mailed or ed to you, with instructions
Supersedes the original information in the Approval
Print a copy of the Addendum and add it to the Approval
Comply with the Addendum changes

22. Important Special Interest Items
NC SAA
Important Special Interest Items
Prior Credit
High School Transcripts
The DVA Form
Continuing Education

23. Important Special Interest Items
NC SAA
Important Special Interest Items
Prior Credit
Must be evaluated and recorded (by law…) prior to enrollment OR within 2-terms.
This means you must have official transcripts of all previous training on file.
Must have proof of prior credit evaluation in the student file.

24. Important Special Interest Items
NC SAA
Important Special Interest Items
High School Transcripts: Are they required?
Depends on your school and on your Approval…
If HS transcripts document “part” of admission process, YES!
Schools that teach degree / IHL programs generally require HS transcripts for new (freshmen) admissions
Private and Proprietary schools are “generally” required to meet State standards
NCD / Diploma / Certificate programs generally require “proof of high school completion” OR “ability to benefit”…

25. Important Special Interest Items
NC SAA
Important Special Interest Items
VA Form “Designation of Certifying Officials”
When there are changes, submit a new form to DVA and a copy of same to NC SAA.
Be sure to include full contact information for each certifying official
Name, phone and fax number and address for each certifying official in the appropriate box.
The Approving Official must sign box 7.

26. Important Special Interest Items
Continuing Education Courses
Generally these courses are not approved.
All courses must lead to a vocational objective, i.e. a job.
Few exceptions: state licensed, state mandates, etc.
Contract courses:
Both the contractor and host institution must be approved.
Questions of academic quality control, awarding of credit, certification and records management.

27. Compliance Survey Process
NC SAA
Compliance Survey Process
NC SAA schedules visits with the institution
NC SAA Program Specialist conducts on-site visit reviewing:
Process Management (prior credit, reporting attendance, etc.)
Records Management (required documentation is present)
Visit reports maintained at NC SAA with copy sent to DVA
Inspection discrepancies (if any) require resolution with documentation of corrective action to NC SAA (approval issues) or referral to VA (payment issues).

28. Record Keeping Requirements ADMISSIONS/REGISTRATION
DOCUMENTATION A.
Copy of student’s Application for Admission B.
Copy of high school transcript for Entering Freshman and Transfer Students C.
Copies of transcripts for all post secondary education with chosen Curriculum “Transfer Credit” clearly documented. D.
Copy of student’s current Curriculum with: (1) All to-date credits and transfer credits clearly identified and, (2) If applicable, a prior credit re-assessment if student changes programs with new Curriculum record annotated accordingly. E.
Copy of Remedial/Deficiency test scores (if applicable) F.
Copies of Student Schedules with “non-Curriculum” course selections, i.e. not VA benefit eligible, clearly identified. G.
Copies of completed Drop/Withdrawal forms H.
Copies of Plan of Study course substitution approvals (if applicable) I.
Copy of current academic transcript J.
Copy of student ‘Attendance Records’ for clock-hour programs (if applicable)
VA DOCUMENTATION a)
Copy of Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 1990) if available b)
Copies of all Enrollment Certifications (VA Form ) to include Remedial/Deficiency CH (if applicable) identified separate from Curriculum CH c)
Copies of all Changes in Student Status (VA Form 1999b); Amend, Adjust, Terminate d)
Copies of Request for Change of Place of Training (VA Form 1995/5495) e)
Copies of DD-214’s, Certificate of Eligibility and NOBE”s as available

29. NC SAA Responsibilities include: Our Service to You:
262 separate institutions of learning, plus 41 branch locations  
Our Service to You:
Conducted 103 Compliance Survey visits
Processed 25 requests for new approval, resulting in 21 new institutions
Reviewed and completed 101 applications for program re-approval (new catalogs)
Evaluated and approved over 1,200 individual programs

30. Changing Laws, Changing Roles
NC SAA
Changing Laws, Changing Roles
The Post 9/11 GI Bill
Public Law
President’s Executive Order 13607
Public Law
The latest…

31. Post 9/11 GI Bill Became effective on August 1, 2009
A complex program!
Many levels of eligibility
Confusing concurrent eligibility
New benefits similar to original WW II GI Bill
Difficult to understand and administer
SAAs took on new “consultant/trainer” role

32. Public Law 111-377 Became effective October 1, 2011 Many positives
More programs now covered by Post 9/11 GI Bill
More potential beneficiaries
A “Game-Changer” for SAAs
Changed State/Federal approval authorities
SAAs acquired new role of assisting VA with Compliance Surveys

33. Public Law 111-377 Changed States’ authority to approve programs
Accredited, non-profit degree programs “deemed” approved without continuing State review
States no longer process approvals for public and non-profit private institutions
Approval AND disapproval authority given to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
SAAs retained jurisdiction over for-profit schools, and Non-College Degree (NCD) programs at all schools

34. Public Law 111-377 Changed States’ role in Compliance Survey process
Former “Supervisory Visits” were more focused on SCO training and process improvement
Compliance Survey primarily an audit of federal entitlement program; focus shifted from academic programs to more emphasis on finances
Schools with deemed approved programs provided approval/change notifications to ELR with courtesy copy of catalog/forms to NC SAA

35. Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans
Public Law
Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans
Public Law , signed on January 10, 2013, mandates, among other things...
A centralized mechanism for tracking/publishing feedback from students and SAA regarding quality of instruction, recruiting practices, and post-graduation employment placement of institutions of higher education.
SAA’s will share with accrediting agencies or associations information regarding the SAA’s evaluation of an IHL.

36. The latest… Big Change Last Year
Effective October 1, 2013, VA will no longer accept modification form--all requirements for approval will go to NC SAA.
All NC institutions must submit an approval package to the NC SAA.
All approval related concerns and questions must come to the NC SAA.

40. H. 357 – GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2014
Pending…
H. 357 – GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2014
Enable GI Bill recipients to receive in-state tuition at any public college or university in the country.
Reauthorizes the VA’s work study program.
2 month extension of VRAP
House passed Feb 3, 2014
Pending in Senate

41. The latest… The Future… Our continued partnership with VA and VSO’s
Compliance Survey Redesign Working Group (CSRWG)
Joint Policy Advisory Committee (JPAC)
Joint Commission on Independent Study
Remedial Training

42. Pending…
S – Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014
Require public institutions to charge the in-state tuition rate for Post-9/11 GI Bill and MGIB beneficiaries.
Reauthorizes the VA’s work study program.
Decrease the amount of reporting fees paid by the VA to educational and training institutions.
Recently sent back to committee

43. The latest… Remedial Training
Computer based remedial content may be certified it meets the following conditions:
It is delivered in a classroom on campus (set time and place).
Attendance is taken.
An instructor is present at all times to facilitate and answer questions.
Coursework is organized in such a fashion that students are working on the same material during the class period.
Remember remedial courses may not be certified if they are offered as independent study, distance learning, or hybrid course delivery.

44. NC SAA
Our Principles
SAAs, as state agencies, believe states should approve schools and programs
Accreditation, while a good tool, is not the ONLY tool for approving programs
ALL schools need both consistent oversight and constructive technical assistance
TOGETHER we serve those who served us!

45. National Association of State Approving Agencies
NASAA
National Association of State Approving Agencies
“We are not mere clerks or bureaucrats. We are not just state employees drawing a federally funded check. We are educators. We are the engineers of excellence and the gatekeepers of quality. We will not fail in our commitment to safeguard the public trust, to protect the GI Bill and to defend the future of those who have so nobly defended us.”

46. Thank you, and any questions?