The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the authority to approve programs offered by agencies of the Federal Government.
Training programs, not agencies, are approved by the VA. Agencies which have multiple training programs must apply to have each program approved. Each program is approved for a specific number of hours/months. Veterans can only receive benefits while training in a VA approved program.
Federal agencies should submit applications packages to federal.approvals@va.gov.
● VA Form 22-8865 - Employer’s Application to Provide Job Training
This form is utilized as application for each program. The length of the training program (Block 8) should apply to anyone who occupies this position (veteran/other eligible person or not). Most importantly, an application for a federal on-the-job training program must be signed by an individual with sufficient authority to establish policy at the facility or agency in question. Further, the signer must be authorized to commit the facility or agency to the repayment of funds should a payment error be discovered that would fall under the category of “school liability.” This will generally be a Senior Executive Service (SES) level individual or appropriate designee. For DoD organizations this would typically be the first GO or O6 commander holding this same authority. The VA Form 22-8865 can be requested from federal.approvals@va.gov.
● VA Form 22-8794 - Designation of Certifying Official - Submit a request for the form - federal.approvals@va.gov
This form is used to provide the names and signatures of those individuals who are authorized to certify enrollment information at approved facilities to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Note - For Federal Agencies seeking National Federal Approval of program(s), a VA Form 22-8794 must be submitted for each respective facility identified in the National Federal Approval.
● Training Outline
Total training time from this outline must equal the amount of time annotated in Block 8 of the VA Form 22-8865.
Note – If registered apprenticeship, provide copy of DOL approved standards.
● Copy of Federal Position Description
● Copy of USA Jobs Announcement
The VA will evaluate the information and provide the school official with an approval determination on the program of education.