State Approving Agency
- promotes and safeguard quality education and training programs for veterans
- ensures greater educational and training opportunities to meet the challenging needs of veterans; and
- assists the VA in preventing fraud, waste and abuse in the administration of the GI Bill
The State Approving Agency (SAA) was established by act of Congress in 1947 to insure that Veteran's/eligible dependents can use the GI Bill educational entitlement in an approved educational program. The primary function of the Kansas State Approving Agency is to review, evaluate and approve quality educational and training programs for Veteran's benefits.
Programs that can be approved include institutions of higher learning (colleges and universities), non-degree institutions (vocational and technical schools), apprenticeship programs, other on-the-job training programs and flight schools.
The Kansas SAA reviews the appropriateness of each program relative to the states standards and laws in addition to the Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA) rules and regulations and other applicable laws and regulations. The program is then either approved or disapproved. Continuous supervision is required of approved programs. There are over 145 programs currently approved in Kansas for Veteran's educational benefits.
All of the above courses or training must lead to an educational, professional, or vocational objective. Courses such as bar tending and personality development are a vocational and recreational in character and are specifically prohibited from approval by law.
State Approving Agency Director and Staff
Dave Murach
Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs
1625 E. 30th
Hutchinson, Kansas 67502
Phone (620)665-8647
Fax (785) 296-1462
Email: SAA Program Director
Brigette Hayes
Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs
700 S.W. Jackson, Suite 701
Topeka, Kansas 66603
Phone (785) 291-3422
Fax (785) 296-1462
Email: bhayes@kcva.ks.gov
VA Education Benefits
Montgomery GI Bil - Active Duty - (Chapter 30) Honorably discharged veterans who entered active duty after 07/01/85 and participated in the pay reduction program. Check with VA Office.
Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve / Guard - (Chapter 1606)
Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) - (Chapter 1607) Reservists or National Guard Members, who enlisted, re-enlisted or extended an enlistment in the Selected Reserve or National Guard for a period of 6 years after 10/01/90. 1607 is payable if reservist meets consecutive active duty wartime service. Check with VA Office.
Post Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program - Chapter 32) Those entering active duty between 01/01/77 and 06/30/85 and contributed toward the VEAP benefit. Check with VA Office.
Post-9/11 Program - (Chapter 33) Honorably discharged veteran who served at least 90 aggregate days or 30 days and discharged with a service-connected disability after 09/10/01.
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program - (Chapter 35) A child or spouse of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability or has a total disability permanent in nature as a result from a service-connected disability.
You can find information on the GI Bills at http://www.gibill.va.gov. The GI Bill website has new resources for eligible students, like "Road Map for Success" http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/road-map/. The "Find a School" http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/education-resources/find-a-school.html option will show all current education training programs in each state and indicate if a school is a Yellow Ribbon participant.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Information (Chapter 33)
This link will take you to the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill Website. http://www.gibill.va.gov/Training/Pamphlets.htm
Current SAA Approved Programs in Kansas
- APPROVED INSTITUTIONS FOR HIGHER LEARNING/NON-COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAMS
- APPROVED NON-COLLEGE DEGREE TRAINING PROGRAMS
- APPROVED CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
- APPROVED FLIGHT SCHOOLS
- APPROVED LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING ACADEMY
- APPROVED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
- APPROVED CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES
- APPROVED FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING ACADEMY
- APPROVED FIRE DEPARTMENTS
- APPROVED ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS
- APPROVED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
- APPROVED BEAUTY SCHOOLS/MASSAGE SCHOOLS
- APPROVED HIGH SCHOOLS
- APPROVED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
The Approval Process
Institutes of Higher Learning/ Non-College Degree (30, 32, 33, 35, 1606, 1607)
Note: To meet the initial requirement for approval to train veterans and other eligible persons, the school must have been in continuous operation for at least two years.
The approval process is initiated when an institution’s owner or official contact person sends a letter requesting approval to train veterans and other eligible persons. The letter should include a brief description of the type of training being offered. After our office receives the written request, an application packet will be sent requesting additional required information including school publications and other information.
After receiving the application package, complete and provide all of the information requested. Any questions regarding requested materials can be directed to our office. Once the application packet is completed and verified by our office as meeting the requirements of the law, we will contact the institution and set up an on-site visit. The visit will serve as an inspection of the facilities as well as a review of all the necessary licenses and forms. In addition, we will discuss record keeping requirements and provide training for the persons responsible for working with and certifying veterans.
After the inspection visit, and providing that all items are complete and acceptable, the application is forwarded to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their acceptance.
If you feel you are interested and will be able to spend the time and effort to obtain approval to train veterans, please contact our office for an application packet.
On-The-Job Training and Apprenticeships (30, 32, 35, 1606, 1607)
Qualified veterans and certain dependents may receive GI bill education benefits while in an approved training program offered by a company or union. The training program must be at least six months long to be approved.
Examples of current training programs include common occupations like: aircraft mechanic, bricklayer, carpenter, electrician etc.
Some less common on-the-job training programs currently approved are: highway patrol officer, police officer, deputy sheriff, corrections officer, lineman, HVAC technician, dispatcher, security officer, buyer/purchaser, firefighter, financial analyst, emergency medical technician, and customer service representative.
Download and read the OJT, on-the-job training brochure by clicking on this link.
Contact us at 785-291-3422 or email SAA Program Director to have your specific training program considered for approval.
Licensing and Certification Approval System (LACAS) (30, 32, 33*, 35, 1606, 1607)
This program enables qualified veterans and certain dependents to use Montgomery GI bill benefits and be reimbursed fees for licensing and certification test. The tests must be on the approved test list for this program.
Several hundred organizations now have their certification tests approved. Popular tests include BAR, CPA, and MCSE exams. Contact 785-291-3422 or email SAA Program Director to ask if your test is on the approved list. *One-time payment of up to $2,000.
Entrepreneurship (30, 32, 35, 1606, 1607)
Allows eligible service members and veterans to use VA education benefits to take courses offered by the Small Business Development Center. This program will assist veterans who are interested in opening their own business, expanding a business, understand federal buying rules, and find business opportunities.
High School Diplomas (35)
Education benefits may available for dependents of veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. Chapter 35 education benefits are available when the dependent turns eighteen. Benefits may be earned while in an approved high school diploma program. Most Kansas high schools are on the approved list. Please contact the SAA office at 785-291-3422 or email SAA Program Director for further information.
Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)
VUB is an educational and skills program designed specifically to serve the needs of today’s veterans. Their mission is to provide qualifying veterans with the skills and motivation necessary to complete a GED program or to enter and succeed in a postsecondary education program. They offer a unique range of services designed to prepare eligible veterans for success when they enter their chosen educational program, whether it is at a 2-year community college, a 4-year college or university, or a public or private vocational or technical school. All services offered by VUB, including instruction, textbooks, advising, and supplies, are provided FREE of charge for qualifying veterans.
University of Kansas: Contact 913-321-5512, email vub@ku.edu, or see website at http://ku.edu/~vub.
Wichita State University: Contact at 316-978-6742 or e-mail lawrence.britton@wichita.edu or view Website:http://www.wichita.edu/vub
SAA Approved Programs in Kansas
APPROVED CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
American Institute of Baking
APPROVED LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING ACADEMY
Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy
Kansas Law Enforcement Training Academy
Lawrence Police Academy
Topeka Police Training Academy
Wichita/Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Academy
APPROVED FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING ACADEMY
None at this time
APPROVED FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Horton Fire Department [Bureau of Indian Affairs] (Firefighter)
Junction City Fire Department (Firefighter)
Lenexa Fire Department (Firefighter)
MTAA Police-Fire Department (Police Officer, Firefighter)
Wichita Fire Department (Firefighter)
APPROVED ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS
A+ Collision Repair (Auto Collision Repair Technician)
A-1 Appliance, Topeka (Service Technician Mechanical Journeyman)
All American Kan Build, Osage City (Drafter)
Army Maintenance Support Activity, AMSA 57-G (Heavy Mobile Equip Repair)
ATM Concrete (Concrete Finisher)
Central Mechanical Construction, Manhattan (Plumber)
Cottage Care, Inc. (Management Trainee)
Exline, Inc. (Machinist, Warehouseman)
Federal Aviation Administration-Kansas City (Air Traffic Controller (En route))
Federal Aviation Administration-Wichita (Air Traffic Controller (Terminal))
Henderson Engineers, Inc. (CADD Technician I)
Heubel Material Handling (Forklift Field Service Technician)
J.F. Denney Plumbing & Heating Inc., Leavenworth (HVAC)
Johnson Co. Emergency Comm. Center (Systems Controller)
Kansas Department of Commerce Veteran Program-Pittsburg & Wichita (Career Development Technician)
Olsen Gamble (Small Engine, Household App. Repair)
Overland Tower Apartments (Project Manager)
Suburban Rod And Custom Classics (Mechanical Technician)
TransAm Trucking (Professional Tractor-Trailer Driver)
United States Department of Veterans Affairs-Wichita (Veteran Service Representative)
United States Marshals Service-District of Kansas (Deputy US Marshal)
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp. (Chemistry Technician, Non-Licensed Operator, Reactor Operator, Senior Reactor Operator)
Youngers & Sons MRG Co., Inc. (Machinist)
APPROVED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
Associated Builders And Contractors, Inc., Mission (Electrician)
BRB Contractors (Carpenter, Cement Mason, Operating Engineer, Pipefitter)
Brooks Yamaha (Motorcycle Repairer)
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co.-Kansas City (Electrician, Machinist)
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co.-Overland Park (Carman)
Caney Valley Electric (Lineman)
Carpenters Union Local 918 (Journeyman Carpenter)
City of Garden City (Journeyman Lineman)
City of Horton (Line Maintainer)
City of Winfield (Line Maintainer)
Dave’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air (Plumber)
Flint Hills RV (RVDA Master Certified Service Technician)
General Motors Corporation- Fairfax Plant, Kansas City(Electrical Journeyman, Stationary Engineer)
Hutchinson Electricians JATC (Electrician)
IBEW Local #226 JATC, Topeka (Electrician)
Independent Electrical Contractors-Wichita (Electrician)
IUBAC Local #15 MO/KS (Bricklayer)
J & J Powerline Contractors (Power Line Worker)
Kaw Valley Electric Coop. (Journeyman Lineman)
Kaw Valley Training Center-Topeka (Carpenter)
Pioneer Electric Cooperative Inc., Ulysses (Line Maintainer)
Plumber and Pipefitter Apprenticeship Training of Kansas (HVAC, Plumbing & Pipefitting)
Plumber and Pipefitter Local 763 (Journeyman Plumbers & Pipefitters)
Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker)
Southwestern Line Constructors-Lawrence (Journeyman Lineman, Electrical)
Topeka Plumbers JATC Local #165 (Plumber/Pipefitter)
Topeka Sheet Metal JAC (Sheet Metal Journeyman)
United Association of Journeyman Local 664 JAC (Journeyman Plumber)
Westar Energy-Wichita (Cable Splicer, Electrical Maintenance, Instrument And Control Technician, Lineman, Mechanical Maintenance, Meterperson, Power Plant Operator, Relay Technician, Substation Operator)
Western Mo. & Ks. Laborers District Counsel JATC -Kansas City (Construction Craft Laborer)
Wheatland Electric Coop., Inc. Scott City (Lineman)
Wichita Electrical JATC (Electrician)
Wichita Iron Workers JATC, Local 606, Wichita (Iron Worker)
APPROVED HIGH SCHOOLS
Please contact the SAA office at 785-291-3422 or email SAA Program Director regarding High School program approvals.
Please contact the SAA office at 785-291-3422 or email SAA Program Director regarding License and Certification approvals.