By law, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service is designated as the State Approving Agency, responsible for approving and supervising all institutions and establishments in Georgia, which offer education and training under the provisions of the Veterans Educational Assistance Program.

Within GDVS, the State Approving Agency (SAA) function is performed by the Veterans Education & Training Division. This division is responsible for ensuring that approved institutions and establishments meet and maintain acceptable standards so that eligible persons who attend may receive educational assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

These programs must have SAA approval before veterans and other eligible persons may receive educational benefits (GI Bill) from VA under the authority of Title 38, U.S. Code and Chapter 1606 Title 10.

Federal and State Laws require stringent regulatory compliance of all institutions and establishments approved for veterans attendance. The responsibilities of approval, annual inspections, and ensuring corrective action when necessary, constitute a vital function of the Georgia SAA.

The State Approving Agency has the function of ensuring that institutions and establishments meet and maintain acceptable approval standards so that eligible persons who attend may receive educational assistance from VA. This includes all public and private schools and all establishments offering apprenticeship and other on-the-job training. The satisfactory performance of these duties requires that State Approving Agency personnel have extensive knowledge in education administration and a full understanding of the laws and regulations that govern and control the Veterans Educational Assistance Program.