National Association of State Approving Agencies

The National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA) helps make the GI Bill work. NASAA facilitates the efforts of its member State Approving Agencies (SAAs) in promoting and safeguarding quality education and training programs for veterans, ensuring greater education and training opportunities for veterans, and protecting the integrity of the GI Bill. NASAA is made up of more than 50 state agencies nationwide that oversee education and training programs for veterans in their respective states. Most states have a single agency to evaluate, approve, and monitor education and training programs for use by GI Bill-eligible students. One state, Washington, has two separate SAAs for different types of training (schools vs. on-job, for example). SAAs provide assistance to schools and training facilities that are approved or are seeking approval. SAAs’ approval decisions are transmitted to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs so that VA can pay benefits when students enroll. SAAs play a major role in monitoring schools with approved programs to assure they continue to comply with state and federal law. NASAA works hand-in-hand with other organizations to make the GI Bill the best possible educational assistance program for our nation’s veterans. NASAA members work with government agencies, Congress, schools, and employers to assure that veterans have access to well-managed, ethical programs they can trust to help them achieve their goals.