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CSAAVE Approval Overview

CSAAVE approves Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL), Non-College Degree programs (NCD), and Licensing or Certification Examinations. It is does not approve education or training programs for flight training, apprenticeships and other on-the-job training. There are no fees required for CSAAVE approval processes. The categories of program or course type are as follows:

  • IHL institutions are universities, colleges, community colleges, and trade schools offering instruction at the post-secondary level that lead to an associate (or higher) educational degree. To be eligible for approval, the institution must be empowered by the appropriate state education authority (under state law), or accredited by a recognized accrediting agency to grant such degrees. This designation also includes hospitals that offer educational programs at the post-secondary level.
  • NCD programs include certificate programs, which do not lead to a standard college degree (i.e. accredited degree), and program or course requirement achievements are acknowledged by certificate. NCD programs are normally offered at community colleges, cosmetology institutions, business institutions, hospitals, trade/vocational schools, etc. Note: A non-accredited law school is classified as a NCD.
  • Licensing or Certification training or examinations demonstrate an individual's possession of the knowledge or skill required to enter into, maintain, or advance in employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or profession.

The approval of programs is publication-based. It is dependent upon information in the school's publications, which the school must certify as true and correct. Since many Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) and Non-College Degree (NCD) schools issue periodic revisions of their publications which may contain new or revised policies and programs, CSAAVE must acquire certified copies of these new publications – review, analyze and approve them – and forward them to the Department of Veteran's Affairs (DVA). A revised approval of the institution's programs is issued after CSAAVE determines that the policies and programs meet CFR requirements.

There are three types of approval: Initial, Revised, and Supplemental. There are no fees associated with the submission of these applications.