Information for Active Duty, Veterans and GI Bill Beneficiaries

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education is involved in the administration of higher education opportunities for South Carolina's service members, veterans and authorized beneficiaries in a number of ways, including:

Administration of the South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program
State Approving Authority for GI Bill Programs, to include on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs
Leading the South Carolina Military Credit Mobility Task Force to help maximize credits for military education and service towards certifications, associates, or bachelor’s degrees, rather than electives

Please see below for additional information:

Using the GI Bill for higher education, on-the-job training or apprenticeships

GI Bill® benefits help service members, veterans and eligible dependents pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill® has helped qualifying veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training.

If you applied for and were awarded Post-9/11 GI Bill® education benefits, your GI Bill® Statement of Benefits will show you how much of your benefits you’ve used and how much you have left to use. Follow this link to review your Statement of Benefits.

The GI Bill® also provides benefits for on-the-job training (OJT) and Apprenticeship (APP) training. If you are eligible, it is possible to receive a monthly educational benefit check from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for training in an approved OJT or APP program.

OJT is training received while actually performing a job and earning wages. OJT programs must be at least six months up to two years in length to qualify. Apprenticeship training is OJT coupled with technical instruction (minimum 144 hours per year).

APP programs are normally from two to five years in length. A program may be backdated for up to one year for benefit purposes. The South Carolina State Approving Agency (SAA) approves and monitors the OJT/APP training programs and serves as a liaison between participants and the VA. For a list of currently approved OJT/APP establishments click the link below. If your employer is not listed, have your employer contact the SAA at 803-737-2260 to determine the necessary steps to get your training program approved, if eligible. The SAA does not place veterans in jobs or apprenticeships or offer training. The veteran or eligible person must already be employed in order to use GI Bill benefits for an OJT or apprenticeship program. Once/if your employer is approved you must complete an OJT/APP enrollment packet. NOTE: Not all occupations can be approved.

Approved OJT and Apprenticeship Establishments

South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program

The South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (SCNG CAP) offers financial assistance to members of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard by providing incentives for service in either the South Carolina Army National Guard or South Carolina Air National Guard. Visit our SCNG CAP page for additional program details.

Transfer Credit Agreements for Military Experience / Education at Public Institutions

SC Public Institutions offering Transfer Credit for Military Experience / Education

Continuing Education Degree Partnerships with the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon, Ga., maintain a continuing education degree program articulation agreement and academic partnership allowing soldiers to receive course credit from CHE-recognized cyber and computer science-related programs at participating South Carolina institutions.

Learn more on our Cyber Centers of Excellence Partnerships Page

South Carolina Veterans Education Resources

Federal Veterans Education / GI Bill Resources

GI Bill Web Site: The Home for All Educational Benefits Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
GI Bill® Comparison Tool | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Education and Training GI Bill Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
Veterans Educational Assistant Program (VEAP)
Yellow Ribbon Schools
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
VA Apprenticeship and On-the-Job Training: On-The-Job Training And Apprenticeships | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
VA Licensing and Certification: Get Paid Back For Test Fees | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS)
Public Law 116-315: Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (PDF)

If you are an administrator of VA educational benefits at a college or university, or an employer seeking information about apprenticeships or on-the-job training for veterans, visit our Veteran's Education and Training / GI Bill® Program Administration page.

The CHE's role as the State Approving Authority

Veteran’s Education and Training at the CHE is designated as the State Approving Agency (SAA) responsible for approving and supervising Veteran’s Education programs in South Carolina. The SAA acts on behalf of the Federal Government to evaluate educational/vocational institutions and training establishments.

The SAA approves programs where veterans and those eligible for VA education benefits can achieve quality training in either an educational, professional, or vocational objective. The focus of the SAA is the review, evaluation, and approval of quality programs under both the state and Federal criteria.

Coordinators are assigned to various areas throughout the state and are responsible for a variety of duties. The area coordinators visit institutions and training establishments seeking initial approval to evaluate the appropriateness of the programs being offered and to ensure that these programs meet the standards of state and federal guidelines. Area coordinators also evaluate curricula, training outlines, student training records, physical facilities, and equipment used in training programs. The coordinators, in evaluating institutions and programs, meet with faculty/trainers, administrators, and agency directors seeking a willingness to establish training approval for GI Bill® recipients. Approval may be granted for the following:

Public/private degree-granting colleges and universities
Professional/vocational certificate or diploma granting institutions (Non-College Degree)
On-the-job-training (OJT) establishments (Six to 24 month training programs)
Apprenticeship (APP) establishments (more than 24 months and annual related training)
Flight training schools (for pilot's licenses and aviation employment)

Upon approval, the SAA provides continuous oversight by conducting annual on-site supervisory visits. Technical assistance visits are conducted when deemed necessary by the SAA or at the request of the certifying official. The SAA also conducts outreach activities to foster usage of the GI Bill®.