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Getting Started as a VASCO

Your complete guide to becoming an effective Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official

Welcome to Your New Role!

As a VASCO, you play a critical role in helping veterans and their families access education benefits they've earned through military service. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started successfully.

The VASCO position requires attention to detail, understanding of VA regulations, and commitment to serving those who served our country. Let's get you up to speed!

What You'll Learn

1. Understanding Your Role as a VASCO

What is a VASCO?

A Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official (VASCO) is the designated individual at an educational institution responsible for certifying student enrollment and training time to the VA for education benefit purposes.

You are the critical link between your institution, students using VA benefits, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Core Responsibilities

  • •
    Certify Enrollment: Report student enrollment, credit hours, and training time to the VA for each enrollment period
  • •
    Monitor Changes: Report any changes to enrollment (drops, adds, withdrawals) within 30 days
  • •
    Verify Eligibility: Ensure students have valid Certificates of Eligibility before certifying
  • •
    Maintain Compliance: Follow VA regulations and respond to compliance surveys
  • •
    Advise Students: Provide information about benefit usage, certification timelines, and school policies
  • •
    Maintain Records: Keep accurate records of certifications, communications, and student files

Who You'll Work With

Internal Stakeholders

  • • Registrar's Office
  • • Financial Aid Office
  • • Bursar/Student Accounts
  • • Admissions Office
  • • IT Department
  • • Academic Advisors

External Partners

  • • VA Regional Offices
  • • Education Liaison Representatives (ELRs)
  • • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs)
  • • State Approving Agencies (SAAs)
  • • Students using VA benefits
  • • Veterans service organizations

2. Initial Setup & Training

Step-by-Step Setup Checklist

1

Contact Your Regional ELR

Your Education Liaison Representative (ELR) is your primary VA contact. They will guide you through the setup process.

Find your ELR: Search "VA Education Liaison Representative" + your state

2

Complete Required VA Training

The VA requires all new VASCOs to complete School Certifying Official (SCO) training. This covers regulations, responsibilities, and procedures.

Training is available online through the VA and typically takes 4-6 hours

3

Request Enrollment Manager Access

Enrollment Manager is the system you'll use to certify student enrollment. Your ELR will provide the access request form and instructions.

Access typically granted within 1-2 weeks after training completion

4

Review Your School's Approved Programs

Check WEAMS (Web Enabled Approval Management System) to see which programs at your school are approved for VA benefits.

WEAMS search available at: inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub

5

Establish Internal Procedures

Work with your registrar, financial aid, and IT departments to establish workflows for identifying VA students and accessing enrollment data.

Document your processes for consistency and training future staff

6

Set Up Student Communication Process

Determine how students will request certifications, submit documents, and receive updates. Email, student portal, or office hours.

Clear communication channels prevent delays and student frustration

⚠️Important Timeline Note

Start this process at least 30-45 days before your first certification deadline. Enrollment Manager access can take time, and you don't want to delay student payments.

3. Essential Systems & Tools

Enrollment Manager (VA Online Certification of Enrollment)

Purpose: Primary system for submitting enrollment certifications to the VA

What you'll do: Submit VA Form 22-1999 (initial certifications) and 22-1999b (amendments)

Access: Granted by your ELR after completing training

WEAMS (Web Enabled Approval Management System)

Purpose: Database of VA-approved programs and institutions

What you'll do: Verify programs are approved before certifying students

Access: Public website, no login required (inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub)

Your Student Information System (SIS)

Purpose: Source of enrollment data for certifications

What you'll need: Access to student enrollment, credit hours, program information, and grades

Tip: Work with IT to create reports that identify VA students and pull certification data

Optional: VASCO Management Software

Purpose: Streamline certification workflows and reduce manual work

Benefits: Automated data entry, compliance tracking, deadline reminders, audit trails

Consider if: You manage 50+ VA students or want to reduce certification time by 70%

5. The Certification Process

Basic Certification Workflow

  1. 1
    Student Requests Certification

    Student provides COE and requests certification for the term

  2. 2
    Verify Eligibility

    Check COE, confirm program is VA-approved in WEAMS

  3. 3
    Gather Enrollment Data

    Pull credit hours, program info, expected graduation date from SIS

  4. 4
    Calculate Training Time

    Determine if student is full-time, 3/4, 1/2, or less than 1/2 time

  5. 5
    Submit in Enrollment Manager

    Complete VA Form 22-1999 with all required information

  6. 6
    Monitor & Report Changes

    Track student throughout term, report any drops/adds within 30 days

Critical Deadlines

  • ⏰30 days from term start: Submit initial certification
  • ⏰30 days from change: Report drops, adds, withdrawals
  • ⏰30 days from receipt: Respond to compliance surveys

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