Web Enabled Approval Management System
WEAMS Search: How to Find GI Bill-Approved Schools and Programs
WEAMS is the VA database of every school, training provider, and program approved for GI Bill benefits. The public WEAMS institution search has moved into the GI Bill Comparison Tool. Here is where to search now, how to read what you find, and what it means for certification.
Looking for WEAMS Public? VA retired it. Everything the WEAMS institution search used to show is now in the GI Bill Comparison Tool on VA.gov (opens in a new tab), and old WEAMS Public links redirect there.
What WEAMS Is
WEAMS (Web Enabled Approval Management System) is where VA records program approval. Every approved facility has a WEAMS record with its facility code, its facility type, and the list of programs approved for VA education benefits. If a program is not approved in WEAMS, VA cannot pay GI Bill benefits for it, no matter how reputable the school is.
WEAMS covers more than colleges:
- Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL): colleges and universities granting associate, bachelor's, and graduate degrees
- Non-college degree (NCD) programs: vocational, technical, and certificate programs
- On-the-job training and apprenticeships with approved employers
- Flight training and correspondence programs
- Licensing and certification tests and national exams
- Foreign schools approved for GI Bill use abroad (see the foreign school program guide)
How to Search WEAMS Now: The GI Bill Comparison Tool
- Open the GI Bill Comparison Tool (opens in a new tab) on VA.gov.
- Search for the school or training provider by name or by location. If the name does not come up, try the city: schools are sometimes listed under a legal or former name.
- Open the school's profile and review its approved programs. Check the exact program, not just the school. A school can be approved while a specific program, campus, or delivery format is not.
- Confirm with the school's School Certifying Official before you enroll. Public data can lag behind recent approval changes, and the SCO sees the current approval when certifying in Enrollment Manager.
Reading a WEAMS Record: Key Terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Program approval | A specific program of education approved for VA benefits. For most US schools the State Approving Agency (SAA) approves it and VA records it in WEAMS. VA approves foreign schools directly. |
| Facility code | The identifier VA assigns to an approved facility. It reflects facility type, profit status, and state, and appears on every enrollment certification. Branch campuses and extensions can carry their own codes. |
| Facility type | The category the facility is approved under, such as IHL, non-college degree, on-the-job training, or flight. It also determines which New SCO training the certifying official takes. |
| VA Form 22-1998 (WEAMS report) | The report a facility receives with its initial approval and later updates, listing its facility code and approved programs. |
| Withdrawal or suspension | When approval ends, new enrollment certifications stop. Check approval before every term, not just at admission. |
What If a School or Program Is Not in WEAMS?
A missing listing usually means one of four things. Work through them before assuming the GI Bill cannot be used:
- Different name or campus: search by city, or ask the school for its facility code.
- The school is approved but the program is not: the school's SCO can ask the SAA to add the program. Benefits cannot be paid until it is approved.
- Approval was withdrawn or suspended: new certifications stop until approval is restored.
- The school never sought approval: it can apply through its State Approving Agency, using the process on the VA school program approval page (opens in a new tab).
WEAMS for School Certifying Officials
For SCOs, WEAMS is the line between a certification VA will pay and one it will reject. Keep a current copy of your WEAMS report on file, check that each student's program matches an approved program before certifying, and send program changes to your SAA before the term they take effect. New to the role? The Getting Started as a VASCO guide covers how WEAMS fits with SCO training and Enrollment Manager access.
WEAMS FAQ
What is WEAMS?
WEAMS (Web Enabled Approval Management System) is the VA database that records every school, training provider, and program approved for GI Bill benefits. If a program is not approved in WEAMS, VA cannot pay education benefits for it.
Is WEAMS Public still available?
No. VA retired the WEAMS Public institution search and moved its information into the GI Bill Comparison Tool on VA.gov. Old WEAMS Public links redirect to the Comparison Tool, which is now the place to check whether a school or program is approved.
How do I check if a school is approved for the GI Bill?
Open the GI Bill Comparison Tool on VA.gov, search for the school by name or location, and open its profile. The profile shows whether the school is approved and which programs are approved. Then confirm with the school’s School Certifying Official that your specific program, campus, and format are on the approval.
What is a VA facility code?
A facility code is the identifier VA assigns to each approved facility in WEAMS. It reflects characteristics such as the facility type, profit status, and state, and School Certifying Officials use it on every enrollment certification. Branch campuses and extensions can carry their own codes.
What is a WEAMS report (VA Form 22-1998)?
VA Form 22-1998 is the WEAMS report an approved facility receives with its initial approval and later updates. It lists the facility code and the programs approved for VA benefits, so it is the document a certifying official checks when a program question comes up.
Who approves programs in WEAMS?
For most US schools and training providers, the State Approving Agency (SAA) in the school’s state reviews and approves programs, and VA records the approval in WEAMS. VA approves foreign schools directly.