Veterans Affairs and State Approving Agency

​The Maryland Higher Education Commission serves as the official State Approving Agency (or SAA), an approving authority for the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.


 

The SAA has approved and supervises over 400 postsecondary institutions that are legally operating in Maryland, including public and private colleges, universities, community colleges, training academies, high schools and private career schools.

In order for a veteran, reservist or dependent to use their GI Bill® benefits, the program must be approved by a State Approving Agency.

The Maryland State Approving Agency for Veterans Education Programs has been designated by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to approve programs in accordance with the standards and provisions of Chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Title 38, U.S.C., and Chapters 1606 and 1607 of Title 10, U.S.C..

​MISSION

  • To promote and safeguard quality education and training programs for all Veterans and other eligible persons.
  • To increase the awareness of every Veteran, Service Member and/or eligible dependent concerning the full range of both educational and training opportunities available in the State of Maryland.
  • To protect the GI Bill® resources available for those programs.

RESOURCES FOR GI BILL® APPROVED INSTITUTIONS

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING & NON COLLEGE DEGREE SCHOOLS

MD SAA Catalog Review/Program Submission Portal (IHLs & NCD) ​

Uniform Application 22-10287 (IHL's Only) 

MD SAA Program Review Form for Uniform Application​ ​​

​*TRAINING RESOURCES*

SAA CATALOG REVIEW & UNIFORM APPLICATION WEBINAR FOR IHL's (RECORDING)

​SAA CATALOG REVIEW & UNIFORM APPLICATION WEBINAR FOR IHL's (PPT SLIDES)

 Note: Applications must be sent online through the MD One Stop portal for all GI Bill® approved IHL and NCD institutions and training facilities. Applicants seeking initial GI Bill® approval must contact the SAA prior to the completion and submission of an application. Failure to do so will result in the return of your application and delay in the review process. 


INDEPENDENT FLIGHT FACILITIES

MD SAA Flight School Application and Best Practices Webinar

MD SAA Flight Program Update Application

MD SAA Flight Program Inventory Form​​

MD SAA Flight Facility Calendar Template

 Note: Applications must be sent via email to our general e-mail inbox at vaeducataionbenefits.mhec@maryland.gov. Applicants seeking initial GI Bill® approval must contact the SAA prior to the completion and submission of an application. Failure to do so will result in the return of your application and delay in the review process. 


DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS FORMS

VA Form 22-8794: Designation of School Certifying Officials ​​​​​

VA Form 22-1919 Conflicting Interests Certification for Proprietary Schools

VA Form 10-0144A Compliance With Equal Opportunity Laws​​


SCO RESOURCES

School Certifying Official Training

School Certifying Official Handbook

WEAMS Public Program Inventory (List of Approved Programs)

Department of Veterans Affairs: Resources for Schools 


PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS

MD SAA/VA High School Approval Application

MD SAA/VA High School Approval Application: Program Sheet

Note: This application is only for the approval of Public and Private High Schools. Please contact the SAA for instructions about the application process before completing and submitting any documentation. Failure to do so will result in the return of your application and delay in the review process. 


 INSTITUTIONS & ORGANIATIONS INTERESTED IN GI BILL® APPROVAL 

Education and training providers (located within the State of Maryland) interested in GI Bill® approval must submit an inquiry to our general e-mail inbox. Please do not complete or submit any application prior to contacting us. Failure to do so will result in the return of your application and delay in the review process. If you are not located within the State of Maryland, please find your SAA of jurisdiction here


RESOURCES FOR VETERANS & ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS

Department of Veterans Affairs: About GI Bill® Education Benefits 

Department of Veterans Affairs: How to Apply for the GI Bill® 

Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill® Comparison Tool 

Restoration of Benefits After School Closure or if a​ School is Disapproved for GI Bill® Benefits

 Note: See requirements for Maryland Postsecondary School Closures and Closed School Transcripts  ​

Do You Have Questions for Another State Agency? Find a Veterans Liaison here.


MHEC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR VETERANS & ELIGILBLE DEPENDENTS

Note: Scholarships and grants are facilitated by the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Please send all scholarship and grant related inquiries to osfamail.mhec@maryland.gov or call (800) 974-0203.

​​

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) 

Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship

​        Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC)

        Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)

MDVA - State Resource Guide

Maryland National Guard Education Partners​ 


~RECENT UPDATES~​

Responsible Education Mitigating Options and Technical Extensions (REMOTE) Act of 2021 ​

Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020


Note: For applications, forms and other requests, please contact us via our general e-mail inbox. 


Hours of Operation:  Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES:  VAEDUCATIONBENEFITS.MHEC@MARYLAND.GOV

MHEC Switchboard Operator   410-767-3300 or 800-974-0203 -- Fax 410-332-0270


Maryland State Approving Agency for Veterans Education & Training 

Agency Staff​ Position Title​ ​Email​​
Everette Jackson, Jr.​
​Associate Director of Veterans Affairs ​everetted.jackson@maryland.gov
Olayta Rigsby​
​Veterans Affairs Analyst ​​olayta.rigsby@maryland.gov
Wayne Holmes​ ​Veterans Affairs Analyst ​wayne.holmes@maryland.gov
Vacant​ ​ Veterans Affairs Administrative Officer

  
​ NASAA Logo.jpg 


       

“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 website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill​



















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