State Approving Agency

As the State Approving Agency (SAA) for Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) acts in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide oversight over all institutions offering education or training in the State of Oklahoma who participate in, or wish to participate in, GI Bill® educational benefits.

Eligible military veterans and family members have earned the opportunity to pursue the educational endeavor of their choice, with confidence in the quality of the program and the administration of GI Bill benefits.

ODVA SAA serves to protect Oklahomans’ GI Bill benefits and to ensure high quality educational opportunities. ODVA SAA utilizes a thorough and systematic approval and review process to confirm that institutions and employers participating in GI Bill educational benefits are compliant with Title 38 of U.S. Code and Federal Regulations; that they are qualified to provide the training offered; and that the training offered is of high quality.

ODVA SAA monitors approved education and training institutions and their programs by regularly reviewing policies and program details; providing frequent training to school officials; and conducting on-site and remote visits to provide assistance and if necessary, intervention. Regular review and training ensures that schools and employers abide by approved policies, certify enrollments correctly, and provide veterans and their families with high quality educational opportunities.

State Approving Agency staff responsibilities include:

• Reviewing programs of education and training to ensure compliance with Title 38 of U.S. Code and Federal Regulations.

• Conducting Supervisory Visits with participating schools and employers to confirm quality training is provided and administration is sufficient to ensure accurate and timely certification for payment of benefits by VA.

• Conducting Risk Based Surveys in cases where risk factors are present that may indicate issues that would potentially impact the quality of training by a school or its ability to appropriately carry out the administration of GI Bill benefits at the school.

• Providing technical assistance and training to participating schools and employers in order to ensure continued compliance with Title 38 Law and to maintain the highest quality of benefit processing possible.

• Serving as a liaison between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and schools, employers, veterans, and the State.

• Conducting outreach to prospective schools and employers to expand GI Bill training opportunities in Oklahoma.

• Providing information and resources regarding GI Bill educational benefits to veterans, military personnel, family members, schools, employers, labor groups, and other interested parties.

• Investigating complaints from beneficiaries utilizing GI Bill education benefits or on behalf of the VA.

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 http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill