Welcome to the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education Web site

Information and Links for Certifying Officials

As the Certifying Official you are responsible for the accurate and prompt certification of enrollments and changes in enrollment of eligible students to the VA. To certify a student for VA benefits complete and mail VA Form 22-1999 or electronically certify through VA-Once. VA Form 22-1999 can also be obtained by faxing a completed VA Form 23-8800 to VA Publications at (510) 637-6118. CSAAVE and the VA will provide assistance upon request that may include liaison visits upon request.

When certifying students, you are discouraged from attempting to determine their basic eligibility. The benefit programs change frequently therefore it is recommended that the student receive this information directly from the VA. The toll free telephone number for students to call is (888) 442-4551. Other considerations are as follows:

  • If the student has received VA education benefits in the past they must complete and provide VA Form 22-1995 (Chapter 35 recipients would complete and provide VA Form 22-5495). To determine how many months remain for their entitlement they will need to contact the VA at (888) 442-4551.
  • If the student has not received VA education benefits in the past they must complete and provide VA Form 22-1990 (Chapter 35 recipients would complete and provide VA Form 22-5490).
  • Explain to the student that benefits are paid in arrears. For example, a student will receive payment for the month of September at the beginning of October. Also, payments are paid to the student and not the school. Chapter 30 and 1606 eligible students can have their payments received by direct deposit. The payments can be used by the student anyway they wish to use it.
  • Explain to the student that their responsibilities are with regard to withdrawals affecting a change of status, maintaining satisfactory progress, and taking only those courses applicable to the degree goal.
  • Enrollment changes – Students records should be verified monthly to determine that nothing has changed. VA must be notified if a student adds or drops a course that affects training time by completing VA Form 22-1999b.
  • VA Form 22-1999 must reflect the credit allowed for previous education or training. Only credit that applies toward the completion of the student's program should be reported as credit allowed. If credit may be allowed but hasn't been evaluated, enter "pending" and certify the student for up to two semesters or the equivalent. Once credit has been reported enter "continuing" on VA Form 22-1999.