The Department of Education has been designated by the governor of the state of Iowa as the location for the Iowa State Approving Agency. The State Approving Agency is responsible for approving all GI Bill programs in Iowa for veterans and other eligible persons. Program approval is a function of the State not the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The Iowa State Approving Agency (SAA) has been contracted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to approve GI Bill programs in the State of Iowa for veterans and other eligible persons. Each state has a SAA whose function is to inspect, approve, and supervise qualified educational programs as well as on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs for GI Bill purposes. Recently, approval has extended to include required licensure and certification tests. The State's approval is necessary before veterans and other eligible persons can receive their GI Bill benefits.