State Approving Agencies See Expanded Role Under Post-9/11 G.I. Bill

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, July 16, 2009, Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) conducted a hearing to discuss the purpose and the evolution of State Approving Agencies (SAA).  The authority of SAAs was established by Congress in 1947 to ensure that veterans and eligible dependents can use the G.I. Bill educational entitlement in an approved educational program.  Under contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the key function of SAAs is to ensure that education and training programs meet VA standards through a range of approval activities. 

“The role of the SAAs has grown since its inception in 1947,” said Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin. “Through the program approval and supervision process, they provide assistance in reducing the opportunities for fraud, waste, and abuse throughout the system.  We must determine how best to ensure our veterans are enrolled in an educational program where they can meet their educational goals.”

Language to provide permanent funding for the SAAs was approved in the National Defense Authorization Act and passed along with the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (P.L. 110-252, Sec. 5005).  The SAAs have requested additional funding over their $19 annual amount in order to meet the growing demands of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.  A March 2007 report issued by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the responsibilities of SAAs had expanded to include promoting the development of apprenticeship and on-the-job-training programs.  Also reported was that overlap among federal agencies existed during the approval process for education training programs and SAAs should limit their focus specifically to student veterans and the integrity of VA education benefits.     

“State Approving Agencies carry out the important function of ensuring that veterans have access to accredited schools and programs as they use their G.I. Bill benefits,” said Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.  “They must, however, work in conjunction with the other federal agencies that have similar oversight responsibilities.  As emerging new skills and trades gain attention from returning veterans, there is an urgent need for SAAs to thoroughly review these training programs and trade schools.” 

Witness List

Panel 1

·       The Honorable Timothy H. Bishop, New York, U.S. House of Representatives

Panel 2

·       Mark Walker,  Deputy Director, National Economic Commission, The American Legion
·       Raymond C. Kelley, National Legislative Director, AMVETS
·       Patrick Campbell, Chief Legislative Counsel, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
·       Justin Brown, Legislative Associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Panel 3

·       Charles Rowe, President, National Association of State Approving Agencies

Accompanied by

o       Dan Wellman, Deputy Legislative Director, National Association of State Approving Agencies
o       Skip Gebhart, Deputy Legislative Director, National Association of State Approving Agencies
·       Keith M. Wilson, Director, Office of Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Prepared testimony and a link to a recording of the hearing are available on the internet at this link:  http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=444.