NC State Approving Agency

The North Carolina State Approving Agency (NC SAA) for Veterans and Military Education is an independent state agency funded by federal contract. NC SAA is affiliated with the UNC System, and the System Office acts as its trustee. Established by statute in 1947, NC SAA approves educational programs and determines which are appropriate for veteran students to utilize their VA educational benefits. The agency now approves courses and programs at over 300 institutions, supervises institutions for compliance with federal and state guidelines, and ensures that the interests of the state are preserved.

NC SAA Mission

NC SAA is guided by the mission to provide quality instruction, appropriate administration, and fair and equitable practices for every veteran (and every eligible person) who enters an NC SAA approved educational program.

Responsibilities

In pursuit of its mission, NC SAA undertakes three key responsibilities:

  • Approval of educational courses and programs available to veterans and eligible persons
  • Supervision of educational institutions for compliance with federal and state guidelines
  • Assurance that these processes preserve both the interests and prerogatives of the state

Approvals

To ensure that veterans pursue high quality courses and programs, NC SAA submits educational courses and programs to a rigorous approval process. The agency:

  • Evaluates educational programs for approval
  • Provides written evaluations and approvals to Division of Veterans Affairs and the institutions

Inspections and Supervisions

To ensure that approved courses and programs maintain a high standard of quality, NC SAA:

  • Visits and inspects each active educational institution annually
  • Confirms compliance for approved courses and programs

Reports and Records

As part of its work to ensure thorough and systematic oversight of North Carolina’s educational programs and courses, NC SAA:

  • Provides written reports to DVA (Approval-Visit-Compliance reports, others as requested)
  • Maintains records and files for the state of North Carolina

Administration, Outreach and Liaison

NC SAA facilitates productive, collaborative relationships between the UNC System and state agencies by:

  • Providing administrative support for the UNC System Office, the state, and DVA
  • Providing outreach and liaison within the state and nationally

Programs

Contact Us

Contact for official requests for action and general correspondence.
Jay Fitzgerald Executive Director | 919-237-7937
Cassandra Mangrich-Smith Office Manager | 919-237-7932
Maegan Hoss Program Specialist | 919-237-7933
John G. Rice Program Specialist | 919-237-7936

Address

PO Box 13628, TW Alexander Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Phone 919-237-7932