North Carolina State Approving Agency North Carolina State Approving Agency Dr. Joseph Wescott II,...
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North Carolina State Approving Agency North Carolina State Approving Agency Dr. Joseph Wescott II, Executive Director, NC SAA Presented by Elizabeth Kelly,
North Carolina State Approving Agency North Carolina State
Approving Agency Dr. Joseph Wescott II, Executive Director, NC SAA
Presented by Elizabeth Kelly, Program Specialist, NC SAA
Slide 2
North Carolina State Approving Agency History 1944FDR signs GI
Bill of Rights 1945Congress recognizes responsibility of States to
determine education of their citizens Late State Approving Agencies
created; 1940soverseen by Governor, but funded by the VA TodayA
cooperative and successful combined federal-state program!
Slide 3
North Carolina State Approving Agency NC SAA Staff Joseph
Wescott II, Executive Director Program Specialists Elizabeth Kelly
Jay Fitzgerald Meghan-Joy Woodall John Pritchett Kathy Nicholson,
Program Assistant NCSU Intern: Sara Brown
Slide 4
North Carolina State Approving Agency The Players The Triad VA
SAA Institution/SCO Other players DoE DoL FAA Accrediting agencies
State L&C agencies And of course--THE VA-ELIGIBLE STUDENTS
Mutual trust, Mutual dependence! Mutual trust, Mutual
dependence!
Slide 5
North Carolina State Approving Agency It Takes A Team! SAA
& VA 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) Regional Processing
Office (RPO) VA Central Office (VACO) VA School Certifying Official
(SCO)
Slide 6
North Carolina State Approving Agency NC SAA To ensure quality
instruction, appropriate administration, and fair and equitable
practices for every veteran (and eligible person) who enters a NC
SAA-approved educational program. We do this by: o Validating and
approving educational courses and programs to be pursued by
veterans and eligible persons o Overseeing North Carolinas
educational institutions, and ensuring compliance with federal and
state guidelines o Ensuring the interests and prerogatives of the
State are preserved in both processes Mission &
Responsibility
Slide 7
North Carolina State Approving Agency NC SAA Program
Specialists Assignments* All: Public and Private Universities,
Community Colleges Elizabeth Kelly: On-Military-Base, Truck,
Beauty, Barber Jay Fitzgerald: Religious Exempt Institutions &
Nursing Meghan-Joy Woodall: Trade, Business, Hospitals, Massage
Joseph Wescott: Flight, High Schools, L&C, new applications *
Note: Some assignment overlap occurs based on workload
Slide 8
North Carolina State Approving Agency Approvals Evaluate
educational programs for approval Provide written evaluations and
approvals to VA and the schools Inspections and Compliance Survey
Visits Visit and inspect each new/active educational institution
Confirm compliance for approved courses and programs Technical
Assistance Respond to institutional and veteran requests for
information and assistance Provide written reports to DVA, as
requested Maintain records and files for the State of North
Carolina Our Partnership with You NC SAA
Slide 9
North Carolina State Approving Agency NC SAA This is THE
document that actually conveys State / DVA approval for educational
programs to be considered for payment under the GI Bill. Your
Approval contains General information about your school Programs
and hours that are approved (or EXCLUDED) Calendars, tuition and
fees Unique programs or policies (Remedial / Branches, others)
Requirements specific to your institution The Approval
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Remember: o Every approval is different! It is specific to your
school or institution, and is based upon your catalog and
applicable state and federal law. o You should read/review your
approval annually, and comply daily. o Many of your questions are
answered here. Keep it handy! The Approval, cont. NC SAA
Slide 13
The Addendum o A unique NC SAA Form that contains The General
Information section from the Approval, AND A specific change to the
Approval o Corrects or changes some portion of an Approval o
Examples: Changes to the academic calendar date (after published)
Change of policy in Requirements section Delete a program or change
the hours approved for a program The Approval, cont. NC SAA
Slide 14
The Addendum o Addenda are mailed or emailed to you, with
instructions o Supersedes the original information in the Approval
o Print a copy of the Addendum and add it to the Approval o Comply
with the Addendum changes The Approval, cont. NC SAA
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North Carolina State Approving Agency Computer based remedial
content may be certified if it meets the following conditions: o It
is delivered in a classroom on campus (set time and place). o
Attendance is taken. o An instructor is present at all times to
facilitate and answer questions. o Coursework is organized in such
a fashion that students are working on the same material during the
class period. Remember: Remedial courses may not be certified if
they are offered as independent study, distance learning, or hybrid
course delivery. Remedial Training Also Note:
Slide 17
Prior Credit High School Transcripts The DVA Form 22-8794
Continuing Education Important Special Interest Items NC SAA
Slide 18
Prior Credit Must be evaluated and recorded (by law) prior to
enrollment OR within 2-terms. This means you must have official
transcripts of all previous training on file. Must have proof of
prior credit evaluation in the student file. Important Special
Interest Items, cont. NC SAA
Slide 19
Prior Credit Military Transcripts: Obtain them in accordance
with your applicable school policy If your institution has signed
the DoD MOU, then you must obtain military transcripts, and they
must be evaluated for possible transfer credit If a student has
attended degree programs through the military (e.g., Community
College of the Air Force), then you must obtain official copies of
those transcripts, regardless of your school policy, and evaluate
for possible transfer credit Important Special Interest Items,
cont. NC SAA
Slide 20
High School Transcripts: Are they required? Depends on your
school and on your Approval If HS transcripts document part of
admission process, YES! Schools that teach degree / IHL programs
generally require HS transcripts for new (freshmen) admissions
Private and Proprietary schools are generally required to meet
State standards NCD / Diploma / Certificate programs generally
require proof of high school completion OR ability to benefit
Important Special Interest Items, cont. NC SAA
Slide 21
North Carolina State Approving Agency VA Form 22-8794
Designation of Certifying Officials When there are changes, submit
a new form to DVA and a copy of same to NC SAA. Be sure to include
full contact information for each certifying official o Name, phone
and fax number and e-mail address for each certifying official in
the appropriate box. o The Approving Official must sign box 7.
Important Special Interest Items, cont. NC SAA
Slide 22
North Carolina State Approving Agency Continuing Education
Courses Generally these courses are not approved. All courses must
lead to a vocational objective, i.e. a job. Few exceptions: state
licensed, state mandates, etc. Contract courses: o Both the
contractor and host institution must be approved. o Questions of
academic quality control, awarding of credit, certification and
records management. Important Special Interest Items, cont.
Slide 23
North Carolina State Approving Agency NC SAA NC SAA assists DVA
with this responsibility Former Supervisory Visits were more
focused on SCO training and process improvement Compliance Survey
primarily an audit of federal entitlement program; focus shifted
from academic programs to more emphasis on finances Compliance
Surveys
Slide 24
North Carolina State Approving Agency NC SAA NC SAA schedules
visits with the institution NC SAA Program Specialist conducts
on-site visit reviewing: Process Management (prior credit
evaluation, timeliness/accuracy of certifications, attendance,
etc.) Records Management (required documentation is present) Visit
reports maintained at NC SAA with copy sent to DVA Inspection
discrepancies (if any) require resolution with documentation of
corrective action to NC SAA (approval issues) or referral to DVA
(payment issues). Expanded audits: 30% Financial discrepancies 50%
Discrepancies of any type Compliance Survey Process
Slide 25
ADMISSIONS/REGISTRATION DOCUMENTATION A.Copy of students
Application for Admission B. Copy of high school transcript for
Entering Freshman and Transfer Students C. Copies of transcripts
for all post secondary education with chosen Curriculum Transfer
Credit clearly documented. D. Copy of students current Curriculum
with: (1) All to- date credits and transfer credits clearly
identified and, (2) If applicable, a prior credit re- assessment if
student changes programs with new Curriculum record annotated
accordingly. E.Copy of Remedial/Deficiency test scores (if
applicable) F. Copies of Student Schedules with non-Curriculum
course selections, i.e. not VA benefit eligible, clearly
identified. G.Copies of completed Drop/Withdrawal forms H. Copies
of Plan of Study course substitution approvals (if applicable)
I.Copy of current academic transcript J.Copy of student Attendance
Records for clock-hour programs (if applicable) VA DOCUMENTATION a)
(Optional) Copy of Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form
1990) if available b) Copies of all Enrollment Certifications (VA
Form 22- 1999) to include Remedial/Deficiency CH (if applicable)
identified separate from Curriculum CH c) Copies of all Changes in
Student Status (VA Form 1999b); Amend, Adjust, Terminate d) Copies
of Request for Change of Place of Training (VA Form 1995/5495) e)
(Optional) Copies of DD-214s, Certificate of Eligibility and NOBEs
as available f)Reporting fees usage Record Keeping
Requirements
Slide 26
North Carolina State Approving Agency NC SAA The Post 9/11 GI
Bill Public Law 111-377 Public Law 112-249 Principles of Excellence
(Executive Order 13607) Public Law 113-146 Changing Laws, Changing
Roles
Slide 27
North Carolina State Approving Agency 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
Slide 28
North Carolina State Approving Agency 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
Slide 29
North Carolina State Approving Agency 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
Slide 30
North Carolina State Approving AgencyBUT Effective October 1,
2013, VA no longer accepts modification form--all requirements for
approval go to NC SAA. All NC institutions must submit an approval
package to the NC SAA. All approval related concerns and questions
must come to the NC SAA. Big Change Last Year
Slide 31
North Carolina State Approving Agency Public Law 112-249 Public
Law 112-249, signed on January 10, 2013, mandates, among other
things... A centralized mechanism for tracking/publishing feedback
from students and SAA regarding quality of instruction, recruiting
practices, and post-graduation employment placement of institutions
of higher education. SAAs will share with accrediting agencies or
associations information regarding the SAAs evaluation of an IHL.
Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans
Slide 32
North Carolina State Approving Agency New This Year National VA
Online Feedback (Complaint) System o A centralized online reporting
system; launched in Jan 2014 o Report violations of the Principles
of Excellence (E.O. 13607) Report negative experiences with
educational institutions Identify and address unfair, deceptive,
misleading practices o Ensure high quality academic and student
support services VA Online Comparison Tool o Launched in February
2014 o Easier to calculate Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and learn
more about VAs approved colleges, universities and other education
and training programs across the country. VA & NASAA
Initiatives
Slide 33
North Carolina State Approving Agency Signed into law August 8,
2014, as Public Law 113-146 Primarily addresses veterans health
matters Expands Fry Scholarship eligibility to spouses Effective
January 1, 2015 Entitlement expires 15 years after servicemembers
death or the date the spouse remarries, whichever is earlier If
also eligible for Chapter 35 (DEA), must make irrevocable election
of one chapter H.R. 3230 Veterans Access, Choice, &
Accountability Act of 2014 Also This Year
Slide 34
North Carolina State Approving Agency Public IHLs and In-State
Tuition Beginning July 1, 2015: Cannot approve programs for which
covered students, regardless of residency, are charged T&F that
are higher than the in-state rate Covered individuals are Ch 30 and
Ch 33 vets discharged or released from active duty ( 90 days) less
than 3 years before enrollment in the program, and Ch 33 Fry
Scholarship beneficiaries and TOE recipients But: IHL may require
covered individual to demonstrate intent to become resident Can
require any type of proof of intent except physical presence STAY
TUNED FOR GUIDANCE FROM VA AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA Veterans
Access, Choice, & Accountability Act of 2014 P.L. 113-146,
cont.
Slide 35
North Carolina State Approving Agency NC SAA Responsibilities
include: 33 03 separate institutions of learning, plus 47 branch
locations Our Service to You: CC onducted 76 Compliance Survey
visits PP rocessed requests for new approval, resulting in 41 new
institutions RR eviewed and completed 175 applications for program
re-approval (new catalogs) EE valuated and approved over 1,000
individual programs Hundreds of technical assistance phone calls
and e-mails *As of September 1, 2014
Slide 36
North Carolina State Approving Agency Thank you! Any (more)
questions?