VA Form 22-10275: Principles of Excellence Guide 2026

VA Form 22-10275: Principles of Excellence Guide 2026 – VA Form 22-10275 is the official agreement used by educational institutions to participate in the Principles of Excellence (PoE) program established by Executive Order 13607.

This voluntary commitment helps ensure that schools serving veterans, service members, spouses, and family members provide high levels of transparency, consumer protection, and support when students use VA education benefits like the GI Bill.Over 6,000 institutions have already joined the program, making it easier for veterans to choose trustworthy schools.

The Principles of Excellence: What Schools Must Agree To

By submitting VA Form 22-10275, institutions agree to the following eight key principles:

  1. Personalized College Financing Plan: Provide students using veterans’ education benefits with a clear, personalized summary of total education costs and financial aid options (formerly the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet).
  2. Inform About Federal Aid First: Tell eligible students about federal financial aid options before recommending private loans.
  3. Ethical Recruiting: Avoid fraudulent, aggressive recruiting, misrepresentation, and incentive compensation violations.
  4. Accreditation: Ensure all new courses and programs are properly accredited before enrolling students.
  5. Readmission for Service Members: Accommodate service members and reservists who need to pause studies due to military obligations.
  6. Refund Policies: Align institutional refund policies with federal Title IV standards.
  7. Educational Plans: Provide individualized educational plans for all military and veteran beneficiaries.
  8. Dedicated Point of Contact: Designate a specific staff member for academic and financial advising.

How Educational Institutions Submit VA Form 22-10275?

Eligibility: Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) or Non-College Degree (NCD) schools approved for VA benefits by a State Approving Agency.

Submission Steps:

  1. Download the latest form (January 2025 revision).
  2. Complete school details, facility codes, and initial each principle.
  3. Provide contact information for the Principles of Excellence Point of Contact and School Certifying Official.
  4. Obtain signature from an authorizing official.
  5. Email the signed form to: [email protected] (preferred method).

Official VA Form 22-10275 Page

Benefits of the Principles of Excellence Program

For Veterans and Service Members:

  • Clear cost information to make informed decisions.
  • Protection from predatory recruiting practices.
  • Better academic and financial advising.
  • Visible in the GI Bill Comparison Tool, helping you identify supportive schools.

For Schools:

  • Public recognition as a veteran-friendly institution.
  • Enhanced trust and enrollment from military-connected students.
  • Commitment to best practices in veteran education support.

You can check participating schools using the official Principles of Excellence page.

Download VA Form 22-10275

Download VA Form 22-10275 (PDF) – January 2025

Direct VA Link: VA.gov Official Form Page

Frequently Asked Questions

Is participation mandatory?

No, the Principles of Excellence program is voluntary, but strongly encouraged for VA-approved schools.

How can veterans find participating schools?

Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool on VA.gov, which highlights Principles of Excellence participants.

This article is for informational purposes only and is based on official VA sources. Always verify the latest information directly on VA.gov.
Last Updated: June 2026 | Official VA Information for Schools and Veterans