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Education and Training

 

School Program Approval

State Approving Agencies (SAA) are generally responsible for the approval of education and training programs in their respective states. They are the pathway into VA for a program's recognition and identification as being eligible for the payment of VA education benefits. Colleges, universities, and other training establishments seeking to provide VA eligible training programs should begin by contacting their SAA.

Following is a listing of general approval guidelines for programs of education broken down by various types of training programs. As stated above, for more information and approval assistance schools and training institutions seeking approval of their training programs for GI Bill benefits should contact their SAA.

"Educational Institutions" and "Institutions of Higher Learning"

Accredited Institutions

Accredited programs must meet the requirements of both the U.S. Code for approval of accredited courses and the Federal Regulations for accredited courses.

Both accredited and non-accredited institutions have similar approval requirements, including:

  • submission of an application for approval
  • submission of a catalog that includes graduation, attendance, progress, and other policies as well as tuition, fees, and program requirements
  • written records of review and appropriate credit for prior training
  • additional reasonable criteria as required by the SAA

Non-Accredited Institutions

Non-accredited programs must meet the requirements of both the U.S. Code for approval of nonaccredited courses and the Federal Regulations for accredited courses.

Both accredited and non-accredited institutions have similar approval requirements as listed above; however, when an institution is non-accredited, it is the SAA that must review and verify the substantial list of legal requirements contained in the U.S. Code for approval of nonaccredited courses.

A few examples of issues more thoroughly reviewed and not assumed for non-accredited and for-profit institutions include:

  • Financial soundness of the institution and its capability to fulfill its stated training mission
  • Institution enrollment limitations

Training Establishments

On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Apprenticeship Training

OJT programs must meet several criteria found in the approval of training on the job and other training on-the-job courses; the high-level requirements include:

  • The OJT program provides the job skills and related training the trainee needs to be fully qualified for the job.
  • It is reasonably certain that the job for which the person is being trained will be available after the trainee completes the program.
  • The job customarily requires between 6 months and two years of full-time OJT.
  • The length of the OJT is not longer than customarily required in the community.
  • Progression and promotion to the next higher level depend on skills learned through OJT training and not just on such factors as length of service and normal turnover.

A non-DOL-registered apprenticeship program may be approved for Veterans training by the SAA if they meet the requirements and approval criteria found in apprenticeships or other on-job training and apprentice courses; the high-level requirements include:

Veterans can take advantage of OJT and apprenticeship programs by sending an application for benefits to VA; presumably, the veteran has already made contact with an employer that has a program approved to provide apprenticeship training. If the employer is not approved for VA benefits, the employer should contact the SAA for information on gaining approval.

Department of Labor (DOL)-registered apprenticeship programs are "deemed approved" for Veterans training however, the SAAs act as a conduit for the flow of necessary approval information to VA. Employers who wish to have their apprenticeship program included in the listing of those eligible for VA education benefits must contact their SAA of jurisdiction.

The difference between OJTs and apprenticeship training is that apprenticeships are generally skilled trades that require at least two years of training and must follow specific DOL guidelines; OJTs are generally employer need based and generally do not require two years of training.

Prohibitions to Approval

A list of prohibited programs and practices can be found primarily in disapproval of enrollment in certain courses; they include the following highlights:

Programs must not be avocational.

Exceptions: None; The SAAs should not approve training of any kind that does not conclude with a standard college degree or certificate of training with a clear vocational objective or purpose.

Private and not-for-profit educational institutions that do not offer a standard college degree must have been operational for at least two years (2-year rule).

This is an important safeguard preventing a "fly by night" operation from gaining approval without demonstrating a measure of quality and stability in its continuous operation. "Operation for two-years" is generally considered by SAAs to start from the time the entity was licensed and/or approved by other state regulatory authority, such as a state department of education or state department of business licensure.

There are no "waivers" to this rule, only the exceptions stated below.

Exemptions:

  • A course is offered by an institution under contract with the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security and is given on or immediately adjacent to a military base, Coast Guard station, National Guard facility, or facility of the Selected Reserve will qualify for a complete exemption to the two-year rule (there is no minimum operation time period).

  • A Commercial Driving Education Program course offered at a branch of a truck driving school that has a main campus with program already approved by an SAA and the same curriculum is utilized at both.

Guidelines for commercial driving education programs:

  • A branch meeting the criteria and the main campus is located in the same state as the branch: Qualifies for a complete exemption to the two-year rule (there is no minimum operation time period).
  • A branch meeting the criteria and the main campus is located in a different state than the branch: Qualifies for a limited exemption to the two-year rule (it must be operational for a one-year period to qualify for the exemption).
  • A branch given the exemption must continue to use the same curriculum for a two-year period.
  • If granted an exemption, it is solely for the Commercial Driving Education Program - all other programs will be required to be operational for two years.
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