Maryland Higher Education Commission

 MARYLAND INSTITUTIONAL APPROVAL INFORMATION 
FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS

Starting the Approval Process:

The Maryland Higher Education Commission State Approving Agency (SAA) is responsible for granting the necessary approvals needed for the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay veterans and other eligible persons their G. I. Bill education benefits.  The SAA is the approving authority for schools located in the State of Maryland. 

To start the approval process a school or training institution official may send a letter on the school's letterhead requesting approval to certify veterans and other eligible persons to receive G. I. Bill education benefits while enrolled in their programs.  Please send the official letter and complete application packet to:

Trish Gordon McCown, SAA Coordinator
Maryland Higher Education Commission
6 N. Liberty Street, 10th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201

New Institution Approval Application Checklist & Packet (IHL's & Private Career Schools/NCD) (PDF)  or (MSDOC)

Institutional Requests for Approval Updates

For an eligible student to receive their G. I. Bill education benefits they must be matriculated in an SAA approved program, and attend during a term (of time) under which it has been approved.  It is the responsibility of the institution to maintain current approvals.  The SAA assists institutions with maintaining updated program information and approval.  Institutions are required to send the SAA two copies of the catalog every time a new edition is published, or at least once every 3 years.  Institutions are also expected to keep the SAA informed on a change of ownership, change in policy, new programs, program changes, and current or projected term dates.

Requests for New Programs, Modifications and/or Institution Updates (PDF) or (MSDOCX)

Catalog Updates & Revisions (PDF)

Approval Process for Licensing or Testing Entities:

The Maryland Higher Education Commission's SAA is the approving authority for licensing and certification entities based in the State of Maryland.  To start the approval process an official of a testing entity may send a letter, on letterhead, along with a brief description of the training. The letter of application must be an official request of the entity.  Please send your official letter to: 

Trish Gordon McCown, SAA Coordinator,
Maryland Higher Education Commission, 
6 N. Liberty Street, 10th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201

SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIALS RESOURCES

MD SAA – Post 9/11 & SAA Updates Sept 2012 – PowerPoint Presentation or PDF

List of VA Approved Institutions

Flight Schools, Apprenticeship and On-The-Job Training (PDF)

New or Update Request for School Certifying Officials (PDF)

Request for access to VA-ONCE (PDF)

VA-ONCE Memorandum of Understanding (only needed for initial application)

Maryland State Approving Agency -- VA Certifying Officials Training (Revised Sept 2012) Update on Changes to Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill – PowerPoint Presentation or PDF

Catalog Updates & Revisions (PDF)

Policies for VA Payment-Refund-Debt Collection - 2012 (PDF)

Prior Credit (PDF)

Each state has a State Approving Agency (SAA) responsible for granting the necessary approvals needed for the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay veterans and other eligible persons their G. I. Bill education benefits.

A list of other State Approving Agencies is available at:
  http://nasaa-vetseducation.com/contacts/default.aspx