Alaska State Approving Agency for Veterans Education & Training

The State Approving Agency (SAA) is an agency appointed by the Chief Executive of a state to approve institutional programs of education and training for payment of benefits under the various laws administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

The Alaska SAA is the state agency charged with the responsibility for administering state programs for veterans.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is charged with the responsibility of administering federal programs for veterans nationwide.

The Alaska SAA is the approving authority for complete programs of education pursuant to requirements defined in the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 38. The SAA is responsible for the review, evaluation, approval, and oversight of schools and training facilities to ensure state and federal criteria are met for veterans using their Veterans Administration educational benefits.  The SAA is a strong advocate for quality and diverse education and training opportunities within the state. The SAA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA,)  protects veterans from fraud, waste, and abuse through the administration of the GI Bill®.

The SAA evaluates and approves specific educational programs for use of veteran’s education and training benefits at: 

  • Public and private accredited degree-granting institutions (IHL)
  • Public and private non-college degree (certificate) institutions, accredited or non-accredited (NCD)
  • Vocational Flight schools
  • Apprenticeship/On-the-job training programs
  • License and/or Certifications
  • High Schools (GED and/or Diploma)

Ensuring approved programs continue to meet the minimum quality standards, are in compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations, the SAA conducts on-site compliance and technical visits to educational institutions and training organizations.

Program of Education

A program of education refers to a combination of subjects, unit courses or training activities pursued at a school or training establishment that is generally accepted as necessary to meet requirements for a predetermined educational, professional, or vocational objective (e.g., diploma, degree, certificate, occupation). An “approved program” is a course of study or program of training the SAA of jurisdiction has determined meets the legal requirements for payment of VA educational assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible persons.

Institutions seeking initial approval criteria:

Accreditation- Accredited courses are those recognized by a nationally recognized accrediting body. The SAA may use the accreditation for approval of the course specifically accredited and approved by the agency or association. Accreditation does not guarantee approval. The SAA will not issue a grant of approval when the evidence of record demonstrates that an institution and/or its courses fail to fully comply with accrediting agency standards.

Accreditation body: A nationally recognized agency or association that the U.S. Secretary of Education determines to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered by an educational institution. The Secretary publishes a list of these agencies and associations which the State Approving Agencies utilize for establishing that a program of instruction may be approved under the provisions of 38 USC 3675 as an accredited program.

Non-accreditation- Nonaccredited programs are those programs not specifically accredited by nationally recognized accrediting bodies.

Non-college degree (NCD) school:

The designation “NCD” is used to refer to a course or program of education or any other institutional vocational/educational training which does not lead to a standard college degree.  

For a course to be approved, provisions of the “2‑year rule” must be satisfied. Generally, courses must be in operation continuously for 2 years before the SAA may approve them. The 2-year rule applies only to courses offered by a proprietary educational institution.

Definitions:

  • Proprietary Educational Institution. An institution that is not a public institution but is in a State and is legally authorized to offer programs of education in the State where the institution is physically located.
  • Continuity of Operation for 2 Years. A course is considered to have been in operation for at least 2 years if it has been offered for 24 consecutive months, including normal vacation periods or holidays or periods the educational institution was closed due to a natural disaster.

Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL):

The designation “IHL” is used to refer to a college, university, technical or business school offering instruction at the postsecondary level that leads to an associates or higher degree. The institution must be empowered by the appropriate state education authority (under state law) or accredited by a recognized accrediting body to grant such degrees. This designation also includes hospitals offering medical-dental internships or residencies without regard to whether the hospital grants a postsecondary degree.

More information on School Program Approval can be found here:

School Program Approval - Education and Training

Request an Application for approval of programs of education:​

Institutions currently approved must maintain approval. Institutions submitting for new approval must utilize the application approved by the SAA. Currently approved institutions must submit an approval within 30 days before the current application expires or within 30 days of date of modifications made to the current approval. Institutions must contact the SAA to obtain the most current application packet.

How to contact the SAA:

 Email: mva.saa@alaska.gov

 Phone: (907)334-0871

 Please allow 48 hours for a response.

School Certifying Official (SCO):

Each school will designate at least one VA Certifying Official to carry out reporting requirements. VA recommends one (1) SCO full-time employee (FTE) for every 200 GI Bill® students and/or dependents enrolled in the educational institution. This number should be adjusted as appropriate by the educational institution when the SCO’s duties are expanded beyond certifying GI Bill beneficiaries’ enrollments. The designation will be made on VA Form 22-8794 (Designation of School Certifying Official(s). It is important that a new VA Form 22-8794 be submitted anytime there is a change in certifying officials. Each VA Form 22-8794 submitted must include all names, since the new form supersedes the old one. The form may be obtained from your SAA.

SCO responsibilities:

The SCO must keep VA informed of the enrollment status of Veterans and other eligible persons. Use basic forms to keep VA informed, such as:

  • Enrollment Certification (VA Form 22-1999) to report required enrollment information
  • Notice of Change in Student Status (VA Form 22-1999b) to report changes to enrollment information
  • Monitor the subjects pursued by a student to certify to VA only those subjects that apply to the student’s program
  • Monitor student’s grades to ensure satisfactory progress is being made.
  • Report when a student was terminated due to unsatisfactory progress
  • Monitor student’s conduct and report when student is suspended or dismissed

 

 

 

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

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