For university administrators & SCOs

VA program approval, step by step

Need to add a degree program, apply as a new school, or restore lapsed approval? Pick your path below. Always confirm details on VA’s official pages—GI Global does not process applications.

Start here

Which situation matches your school?

Already VA-listed Add a new program Submit a full package for another degree at your approved school. See the steps First time Get the school approved Brand-new foreign university seeking GI Bill program approval. See the steps Lapsed or due Reinstate or reapprove Approval withdrawn, SCO access stale, or the 48-month reapproval window. See the steps
Degree programs only Not language certificates or most non-degree offerings.
School officials only Students cannot apply on the university’s behalf.
~45-day review VA aims for this after a complete package arrives.
Email VA here federal.approvals@va.gov

Before you start

What “approved” means

VA approves specific degree programs, not your whole university by default. Distance / independent-study courses usually cannot be approved unless they meet VA accreditation rules. Philippines schools work with the Manila Regional Office; other foreign schools go through Buffalo / Federal & State Approvals.

Path 1 · Already VA-listed

Register a new program

Adding another degree? Use the same full foreign-school package VA requires for new programs at currently approved schools—including EFT information.

  1. Confirm the program is eligible

    Degree-granting programs only (associate-equivalent or higher). Check what VA can approve.

  2. Fill out Form 22-0976

    List each program. The institution name in box 3A must match your catalog. Form page PDF

  3. Attach the rest of the package

    Catalog with signed “true and correct” statement, 38 USC 3679(e) compliance form, EFT letter, financial soundness (if required), and Form 22-1919 if you are a proprietary school. Jump to forms

  4. Email English PDFs (no zip files)

    Attach files individually to federal.approvals@va.gov. Webpage links are not accepted. Incomplete packages are returned.

  5. After approval, keep SCOs current

    Use Form 22-8794 and Enrollment Manager. Confirm the program in the Comparison Tool.

Path 2 · First-time applicants

New universities seeking approval

Never participated before? Same package process—plus plan ahead for catalog translation, EFT, SCO designation, and Enrollment Manager before advertising GI Bill eligibility.

Email federal.approvals@va.gov All forms & links

Path 3 · Lapsed, withdrawn, or due

Reinstatement & reapproval

There is no abbreviated “reactivation” shortcut. Schools with previously approved programs use the same modern package rules.

You may need this if…

  • Programs vanished or show warnings in the Comparison Tool
  • VA withdrew approval for inactivity or non-compliance
  • SCO / Enrollment Manager access no longer works
  • Full reapproval is due—Form 22-0976 covers reapproval every 48 months and school-info updates

What to do

  1. Email federal.approvals@va.gov with school name, facility code (if known), and programs to restore.
  2. Resubmit a complete package (22-0976, compliance forms, catalog, EFT, etc.).
  3. Refresh SCOs with Form 22-8794 listing all current officials.
  4. Confirm EFT under the June 2023 requirements.

Payments

EFT / direct deposit letter

Required for newly approved foreign schools and for new-program requests. Send a dated, administrator-signed letter with:

EFT requirements PDF memo

After you are VA-listed

Help veterans find your programs

Once programs appear in the Comparison Tool, GI Global can present a clearer partner listing—contacts, English-language programs, tuition context, and campus media.

View partner plans Email partners@giglobal.org