New Mexico State Approving Agency for Veterans’ Education and Training
Katherine (Kathy) Snyder
State Approving Agency Director
4801 Indian School Road, NE
Building 2, Suite 2
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 280-1047
The New Mexico State Approving Agency (NMSAA) strives to ensure every eligible Veteran, service member, and family member has the opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential through access to the GI Bill® in approved programs.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
The NMSAA is responsible for the review, evaluation, approval determinations, and oversight of programs at educational institutions and training establishments, allowing eligible individuals to utilize their GI Bill benefits while enrolled in and pursuing an approved program. We ensure specific and strict state and federal approval criteria are met so eligible Veterans, service members, and family members may have access to quality education and training.
To accomplish this, the NMSAA:
- Conducts onsite and other inspection visits to educational institutions and training establishments throughout New Mexico;
- Provides technical assistance to authorized representatives at colleges, universities, other postsecondary educational institutions, and training establishments as necessary and upon request;
- Performs compliance actions such as supervisory visits, risk-based surveys, and targeted risk-based reviews to ensure facilities and approved programs are following all applicable statutory and regulatory provisions;
- Promotes and safeguards quality education and training programs;
- Assists VA in preventing fraud, waste, and abuse by utilizing data and risk factors that are outside of the normal approval and compliance liaison processes in the administration of the GI Bill; and
- Reviews and makes determinations on approvability of programs by analyzing initial and renewal application packages, ensuring compliance with criteria under title 38.
In addition to this regulatory responsibility, the NMSAA is also active in outreach activities throughout the state to promote awareness of the GI Bill education benefit—advocating for quality and diverse education and training opportunities for all individuals eligible for VA education benefits.
Approvals – Institutions Seeking Program Approval for the GI Bill®
Institutions Seeking Program Approval for the GI Bill®
Submitting an Application Package for Approval
All facilities, such as an educational institution or training establishment, are required to submit an ‘application package’ for the program(s) for which they are requesting initial approval or reapproval. If and once it is determined the legal criteria and all approval requirements are met, programs may be approved or reapproved by us. After VA accepts the NMSAA’s approval, eligible individuals may use their GI Bill® benefits while enrolled in and pursuing an approved program. Until education or training programs are approved by the SAA and accepted by VA, GI Bill® benefits cannot be used.
Before submitting a request for approval, contact the NMSAA to ensure you obtain the most current application, forms, documents, and guidance.
Please contact us at the address, email, or phone number below if you are:
- An educational institution or training establishment with questions regarding approval criteria, applications for approval or reapproval, technical assistance, and outreach.
- An individual who wishes to attend an educational institution or training establishment that has not yet been approved for GI Bill benefits.
NMDVS State Approving Agency
ATTN: Katherine Snyder
4801 Indian School Road, NE, Building 2, Suite 2
Albuquerque, NM 87110
History of the SAAs
Did you know…?
State Approving Agencies (SAAs) were established under the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, the original GI Bill of Rights, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 22, 1944. The law establishing this education benefits program requests the Chief Executive of each state to designate a State department or agency as the SAA. Currently, there are a total of 53 SAAs, including those in all 50 states, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico.
Programs – Types of Programs Approved by the NMSAA
All programs approved for GI Bill® benefits must lead to a verifiable educational, professional, or vocational objective. Courses/programs considered avocational or recreational in character are specifically prohibited from approval by law.
The NMSAA Approves Eligible Programs in the Following Categories
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- Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) – Undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs at accredited public and private degree-granting institutions
- Non-College Degree (NCD) – Certificate programs related to career and technical training at public and private trade and technical schools, such as barbering, cosmetology, etc.
- Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training (OJT) – Hands-on training programs where you learn a specific trade while earning a wage alongside your nontaxable education benefit.
- Flight Training – Certain vocational flight schools’ courses (under 14 CFR part 141 and 142) for those pursuing a commercial pilot certificate and ratings.
- Licensing and Certification Tests – Tests to obtain credentials such as those in the IT industry, attorney bar exams, etc.
- Prep Courses and National Exams – Preparatory courses for professional licenses and national admission tests (e.g., SAT, LSAT, GRE).
Resources for Schools & Employers
- VA Information for School Certifying Officials (SCOs) This page has resources for schools and employers regarding training opportunities, webinars, guides, handbooks, how to upload files to VA, etc.
- School Certifying Official (SCO) Handbook
Resources for Veterans & Family Members
The GI Bill® Comparison Tool allows you to search and compare schools, employers, and their approved programs; exams, licenses, certifications, and prep courses. In addition, it provides GI Bill benefits estimates based on your answers to VA’s questions within. Use this tool to obtain information regarding which program is right for you.
- VA Education Call Center: 888.442.4551
Call this number if you have questions about your VA education benefits to include eligibility, payment, and remaining entitlement. Representatives from VA are available from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Central Time, Monday – Friday.
State Scholarships
For information related to the Wartime Veteran and Vietnam Veteran scholarships, please visit https://www.dvs.nm.gov/benefits/ for additional detail and application.
For information regarding the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, please contact the financial aid office of the public college or university you plan to attend in New Mexico or visit. https://hed.nm.gov/free-college-for-new-mexico
VA Education/GI Bill Eligibility & Benefits Questions
Benefits. If you are seeking information regarding your eligibility of benefits, types of benefits, entitlement, payment, or the status of your application for GI Bill® benefits, you may do one of the following:
- Call VA’s Education Call Center, toll free, at: 888‐442‐4551 (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time)
- Use the ‘Ask VA’ feature at: https://ask.va.gov/
- Go to VA’s Education and Training webpage at: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/
Applying. It is recommended, prior to applying for VA education benefits, you contact VA for assistance by calling the toll‐free number above, to ensure you are making the appropriate decision. Information regarding applying for benefits online is located at:
https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
Once the application for benefits is approved, VA will send the eligible person a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). Provide this document to the educational institution or training establishment you plan to attend.
"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