State Approving Agency (GI Bill)

The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA) validates and approves education and training courses and programs to be pursued by veterans and eligible persons. The SAA oversees Virginia’s educational and training institutions and ensures compliance with federal and state guidelines. The SAA protects veterans and schools from fraud, waste, and abuse.

The Virginia SAA is a member of the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA). NASAA advocates for quality education and training programs for our nation’s veterans. Please click here to learn more about NASAA.

GI Bill® Approved Facilities

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has several “WEAMS” search engines available which will allow you to search for approved programs in Virginia and around the country. However, if you do not find the program(s) for which you are searching, please contact us at (804) 225-2298 or saa@dvs.virginia.gov to determine whether the approval is in process or whether a new approval can be completed.

WEAMS Institution Search

Searchable Program Types:

Institution of Higher Learning
Non College Degree
On-the-Job Training/Apprenticeship
Correspondence
Flight
All Types

WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search

Searchable program Types:

Licence
Certfication
Both

WEAMS National Exams Search

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Apply to Become a GI BILL® Approved Facility

Step 1: Download, complete, and submit one of two Application Request Forms to saa@dvs.virginia.gov.

Step 2: A State Approving Agency (SAA) Representative will respond to your Application Request.

Step 3: Make plans to attend one of our monthly Initial Approval Training Webinars. They are scheduled from 9:30 am to 11:30 am on the first Thursday of every month. Contact saa@dvs.virginia.gov to attend a webinar. The 2023 Initial Approval Training webinars are on:

April 6, 2023
May 4, 2023
June 1, 2023
July 6, 2023
August 3, 2023

Step 4: Submit the Application Packet to the SAA for review of your approval. An Initial Approval Packet will not be reviewed by the SAA if a facility has not completed an Initial Approval Training webinar.

Step 5: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) processes the SAA Approval. The VA provides final directions for the facility to be recognized as an Approved Facility and be able to certify veterans and other eligible students for their benefits.

The VA final directions typically include:

Complete New School Certifying Official (SCO) Training in the VA’s Online Training Portal. (One approximately 90-minute module for On-the-Job Training, Apprenticeship, Vocational Flight, High School, and Residency programs. Ten approximately 30-minute modules, about 5 hours of training, for Institutions of Higher Learning and Non-College Degree).
Update the 22-8794: Designation of Certifying Official form to include officials who will certify veterans’ benefits and have completed the New SCO Training.
Complete a Memorandum of Understanding between the VA and your institution to use the VA-ONCE (VA Online Certification of Enrollment) system.

Virginia Military & Student Veteran Education Summit on September 22, 2022 at William and Mary

Thank you for attending the 2022 Virginia Military & Student Veteran Education Summit. Below we are providing links to the presentations for your review:

Keynote Address #1- Kameron Smith
Non-Profit Entrepreneurial Success in the Veteran World- Mark Casper and Jason Haag
Virginia Association of Schoo Certifying Officials- Dr. Takesha McMiller
Learning to Serve After Service- Jonathan “JD” Due
Utilizing Credits 2 Careers in your Career Search- Emily Jones-Green
The Virginia Assembly of Student Veterans: For Student Veterans by Student Veterans- Kate Milenski
Using Design Thinking to Plan Your Next Steps in College & Beyond-Mary- Chris Escobar
State Approving Agency Updates– Aaron Martin
9/11 Remembrance at VCU: How To Get Your School and Students More Involved– James Grubb, Jacob Davenport, and Stephen Ross
Suicide Prevention Resources: Keynote Address #2- Brandi Jancaitis
Additional Suicide Prevention Video
The Opportunity of Entrepreneurship- Graham Henshaw
Risk-Based Surveys– Michelle Hill
Student Veterans Engagement: Theory to Practice- Charlie Foster

Virtual Meeting with a State Approving Agency Manager

Schedule a virtual meeting to talk about GI Bill® Benefits at https://calendly.com/virginia-saa/virginia

Click Here to learn more about Transfer Virginia. You can research, plan and organize your transfer journey using the information and resources available within this portal from Virginia’s institutions.

GI Bill® School Feedback Tool for Veterans

If you have an issue or complaint about a school or training facility, please feel free to submit feedback to the VA at www.va.gov/education/submit-school-feedback/introduction. The Virginia State Approving Agency would appreciate your feedback as well. You may copy and paste the issue or complaint you are sending to the VA, and send it to saa@dvs.virginia.gov. Just as the VA will do, the SAA will review your feedback and pass it along to your school for their review. Then we will let you know how we are handling your feedback.

School Certifying Official Resources

Department of Veterans Affairs – SCO Handbook Online Only at KnowVA

Training Opportunities for School Certifying Officials

Sign Up for Updates from the Virginia SAA

ADVISORIES

SCHOOL CLOSURES

Contact the State Approving Agency
Virginia State Approving Agency 101 N. 14th Street, 17th Floor Richmond, Virginia 23219 Telephone: 804-225-2298 Fax: 804-786-0809 saa@dvs.virginia.gov

Name	Title	Contact Information
Patrice Jones	Director of Education Programs	804-212-8091 patrice.jones@dvs.virginia.gov
Tramaine Carroll-Payne	Deputy Director of Education Programs	804-248-1239 tramaine.carroll-payne@dvs.virginia.gov
Antoinette Blake	Education Support Specialist	804-225-2298 antoinette.blake@dvs.virginia.gov
Michelle Hill	Senior Education Manager	804-516-2975 michelle.hill@dvs.virginia.gov
Debbie Carter	Veterans Education Manager	804-489-1039 debbie.carter@dvs.virginia.gov
Stephanie Davenport	Veterans Education Manager	804-512-1516 stephanie.davenport@dvs.virginia.gov
Aaron Martin	Veterans Education Manager	804-895-8047 aaron.martin@dvs.virginia.gov
Vacant	Veterans Education Manager	804-225-2298 saa@dvs.virginia.gov
Elita Robinson	Veterans Education Manager	804-389-3562 elita.robinson@dvs.virginia.gov

Education, Transition & Employment