STATE APPROVING AGENCY

The State Approving Agency (SAA) approves college and non-college degree programs, vocational flight training, apprenticeships and other on-the-job training so that federal educational assistance benefits may be paid to veterans and other eligible persons under the several programs administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

The SAA must specifically approve each program of education into which an institution wishes to enroll veterans and other eligible persons.

If an institution operates a branch or extension facility, training and courses offered at those sites must be approved separately.

In addition, the SAA must be certain that catologs, school calendars and other publications containing descriptions of programs and courses of study or both are submitted to the SAA as soon as published.

The types of approved training establishments include the following:

• Colleges and Universities
• Vocational Schools
• Business Schools
• Professional Schools
• Vocational Flight Schools
• High Schools
• Apprenticeships
• On-the-Job Training Programs

All of the above courses or training must lead to an educational, professional or vocational objective. Courses in bartending and personality development are avocational and recreational in character and are specifically prohibited from approval by law.

The SAA also approves Licenses and Certification Tests.

• Licensing and Certification Tests

Tests must be required for certification or licensure in an occupation. The cost of the license or test may be reimbursable using GI Bill benefits.

The following is a list of entitlement programs for which the Illinois SAA has approval and supervisory responsibilities:

• Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (Chapter 30)
• Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
• Post Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32)
• Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)

Over 370 educational institutions and 100 apprenticeships and on-the-job training sites in Illinois have been approved to offer educational programing and training to Illinois service personnel, veterans and dependents.