Role of State Approving Agencies History, Functions and Future Dr. Joseph Wescott II, President, NASAA National Association of State Approving Agencies
SAAs in the 21 st Century A New Agency, with roots in the past
...The members of the armed forces have been compelled to make greater economic sacrifice and every other kind of sacrifice than the rest of us, and they are entitled to definite action to help take care of their special problems. Franklin Delano Roosevelt June 22, 1944 GI Bill Signing Statement
History of the GI Bill One of the finest education benefits ever devised 1776 Continental Congress approves measure to provide pensions to disabled soldiers 1943 Harry Colmery (WW-I vet) writes 1 st draft of new veterans education program on hotel stationery at Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. Jan 1944 GI Bill of Rights introduced in Congress Jun 1944 FDR signs GI Bill of Rights into law 1947 Veterans account for 49% of all college students 1952 Veterans Adjustment Act extends many benefits of original GI Bill to Korean War vets 1953 Original GI Bill ends. 7.8 million WWII veterans had participated in the program.
A view of Quonset huts used for temporary classrooms during the boom in the student population after World War II. This photo was taken in 1948.
History of the GI Bill One of the finest education benefits ever devised 1966 LBJ signs Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act restored educational benefits to veterans in times of war and peace. 1973 Military draft ends, all-volunteer force begins 1976 VRBA ends 6.8 million Vietnam-era veterans had used their benefits ; Congress passes Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) Sen. Sonny Montgomery Maj Gen, US Army (ret) 1985 Congress introduces revamped GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill
History of the GI Bill One of the finest education benefits ever devised Other organizations also played key roles in the success of the GI Bill(s) 1930 Congress authorizes formation of the Veterans Administration it consolidated numerous organizations supporting vets 1945 American Legion distributed 2.7 million copies of Gateway to Opportunity explained VA benefits 1945 Congress recognizes responsibility of States to determine education of its citizens Late State Approving Agencies (SAAs) created; 1940 s overseen by the Governor, but funded by the VA
SAA Mission State Approving Agencies help to make the GI Bill work by ensuring that students know about and have access to wellmanaged, efficiently-run, educationally-sound programs that they can trust to help them succeed in meeting their vocational goals. National Association of State Approving Agencies
SAA Our Partnership with You Approvals o Evaluate educational programs for approval. o Provide written evaluations and approvals to VA and the schools Inspections and Compliance Survey Visits o Visit and inspect each active educational institution. o Assist VA with compliance surveys to insure institutional compliance for approved courses and programs Technical Assistance o Respond to institutional and veteran requests for information and assistance o Provide written reports to DVA & maintain records for State National Association of State Approving Agencies
The Players o The Triad o VA o SAA o Institution/SCO o Other players o DOD o ED o FAA o Accrediting agencies o State L&C agencies Mutual trust, Mutual dependence! National Association of State Approving Agencies
SAA & VACO Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald Undersecretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey o U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) o Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) o Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) o VA Regional Processing Office (RPO) Atlanta o Education Liaison Representative (ELR) National Association of State Approving Agencies
SAA & VACO o Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) RPOs Atlanta Buffalo St. Louis Muskogee o Services provided Guidance Instruction Coordinates claims processing National Association of State Approving Agencies
It Takes A Team! VA VA Central Office (VACO) Regional Processing Office (RPO) 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! Education Liaison Rep (ELR) State Approving Agency (SAA) School Certifying Official (SCO) North Carolina State Approving Agency
NASAA Mission Statement o The National Association of State Approving Agencies works in cooperation with its partners: 1. To facilitate the efforts of the state approving agencies to promote and safeguard quality education and training programs for all Veterans and other eligible persons 2. To ensure greater education and training opportunities that meet the changing needs of Veterans 3. To protect the GI Bill resources available for those programs National Association of State Approving Agencies
NASAA Changing Laws, Changing Roles The Post 9/11 GI Bill Public Law 111-377 Public Law 112-249 Principles of Excellence (Executive Order 13607) Public Law 113-146
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
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 o Changed State/Federal approval authorities o SAAs acquired new role of assisting VA with Compliance Surveys
Public Law 111-377, cont. Changed States authority to approve programs Accredited, public & 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 Schools with deemed approved programs provided approval/change notifications to ELR with courtesy copy of catalog/forms to NC SAA SAAs retained jurisdiction over for-profit schools, and Non- College Degree (NCD) programs at all schools
BUT o Big Change 2013 Effective October 1, 2013, VA no longer accepted modification form--all requirements for approval go to SAA. All institutions must submit an approval package to the SAA. All approval related concerns and questions must come to the SAA.
Public Law 112-249 Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Public Law 112-249, signed on January 10, 2013, mandated, among other things... o A centralized mechanism for tracking/publishing feedback from students and SAA o SAA s will share with accrediting agencies or associations information regarding the SAA s evaluation of an IHL. o SAA s will not approve schools that offer inducements tied to recruiting and enrollments.
Principles of Excellence Compliance Review o Did the school provide a Financial Aid Shopping Sheet and alert students to the availability of the Federal financial aid prior to arranging other financing? o Does the school use fraudulent and unduly aggressive recruiting? o Has the school obtained the approval of its accrediting agency for new course offerings prior to enrolling students in such courses or programs where appropriate? o Are the service members and reservists readmitted to programs if they have to suspend their studies due to service requirements/obligations? o Is the school refund policy aligned with the refund of unearned student aid rules applicable to Federal student aid provided under Title IV? o Does the school provide detailed educational plans outlining graduation requirements? o Does the school have a point of contact for academic and financial advising to assist service member and veteran students and their families?
In-State Residency In State Residency for Veterans o S.2450 (H.R.4841) Veterans Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 o All states are now compliant with the exception of Louisiana. (NASAA took the lead in this effort in February of 2015.) National Association of State Approving Agencies
Where We re Headed Our continued close partnership with NAVPA, VA and VSO s working together to truly make things better! Compliance Survey Redesign Working Group (CSRWG) ended last year and JAC (Joint Advisory Committee) established. The Future Congressional Hearing on the role of the SAAs. NASAA and NAVPA have testified together on pending legislation. New legislation to clarify roles, modernize the way we do compliance and enhance the GI bill.
The Future HR. 476 GI Bill Education Quality Enhancement Act of 2015 HR 475 GI Bill Processing Improvement Act Both rolled into Pending Legislation HR. 3016 Veterans Employment, Education and Healthcare Improvement Act
The Future Pending Legislation S. 1938 Career-Ready Student Veterans Act of 2015 S. 1460 Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act of 2015
Progress through Partnerships NASAA, VA, and our other partners continue to work with Congress to inform the process. o Assist Members and Committees staffs with technical advice and information o Suggest combined proposals, bills and regulatory changes And we look forward to a continued partnership with you and further accomplishments next year!