Military and Veterans Education Benefits
The Art Institutes system of schools proudly offers education benefits and opportunities for military members and veterans who have honorably served and their families.
As a military-inclusive school, we are committed to providing support for your education and career goals, whether during your military service or in civilian life. Our degree programs are designed to prepare you for a variety of fields.
Did you know?
The MAE&T, a higher education journal for veterans and military personnel, is used to provide a way to measure the best practices in military and veteran education using a questionnaire of military-supportive policies enacted at over 600 institutions across the USA, including private, public, for-profit, non-profit, and two- to four-year colleges. The journal of higher education is for service members and veterans making the transition from military to the civilian sector. covering issues and topics in higher education, career trends, transition assistance, innovative programs, and schools of special interest to the military.
Why choose The Art Institutes?
Find out why military and veteran students choose The Art Institutes for their education.
As a military-inclusive college, we are committed to providing support for your education and career goals. Our degree programs are designed to prepare you for a variety of careers with programs in the visual, creative, applied, and culinary arts operating at several locations and offers distance education. You can earn a certificate, undergraduate, or even a graduate degree at some of our locations.
At The Art Institutes, we value skills you have learned in the military, such as leadership, discipline and self-motivation.
Flexible learning options
We understand that frequent relocations and deployments can make going to college in the military difficult. That’s why The Art Institutes offer classes at our schools throughout the United States.
Experience credits
Military and veteran students bring invaluable real-life experience to The Art Institutes classrooms. Additionally, most military training courses have been evaluated for academic credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). At The Art Institutes, we will evaluate your Joint Service Transcript or corresponding official service transcript to determine if we can award college level credit for your prior learning.
Locations close to you
The Art Institutes has campuses in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, San Antonio, Tampa and Virginia Beach. All active military personnel, reservists, veterans, and their spouses will also have a team of dedicated admissions, financial aid and academic advisors, each focused on meeting your unique needs as a military or veteran student.
For in-depth information, please speak with an admissions representative at The Art Institutes at 1-855-991-9325.
Military and Veterans Educational Benefits
Learn more about the educational benefits offered for military personnel, veterans and their families.
Military students who are serving on active duty, in one of the reserve components or the National Guard, veterans, and eligible family members may use their educational benefits at The Art Institutes.
The links below provide further information regarding the individual benefits and opportunities available through the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While benefit and eligibility information is provided, the ultimate approval of a student’s ability to use a particular benefit is determined by the respective government agency offering the benefit.
In addition to the information we’ve provided, the knowledgeable staff at The Art Institutes are available to help guide you through the process. Speak with one of our experienced admissions representatives to get started. For further information on participation and eligibility, contact us at 1-855-991-9325.
Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard
Military Tuition Assistance
The Art Institutes have signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense, which allows you to use Military Tuition Assistance (TA). The program is available to active duty, National Guard, and Reserve Component service members. TA currently pays tuition and course-specific fees up to $166 per quarter hour for eligible students. Your service branch pays your tuition directly to the school. Prior to enrolling into an institution, service members need to first check with an education counselor or Educational Services Officer (ESO), for the specifics involving TA by visiting their local installation education office, contacting your education counselor or ESO, or by going online to a virtual education center.
Each military branch has its own TA application form and procedures, and each determines the eligibility requirements and the amount of assistance available. The service member must apply for the program and receive approval before starting classes. Prior to your course enrollment, you may be required to develop an education plan or complete TA orientation.
To find out how to get started, contact your ESO, visit your local installation education center, go online to a virtual education center or click on the following links for each service branch
- Marine Corps:
https://www.military.com/education/money-for-school/marine-corps-tuition-assistance.html
The Art Institutes acknowledge that military students who are deployed away from their homes or permanent duty stations and students affected by a qualified natural disaster may experience difficulties with completing their degree requirements. The Art Institutes encourage service members and those students affected by natural disasters to continue with their education and will be flexible and responsive to their needs. In support of deployed forces and those impacted by qualified natural disasters, The Art Institutes have adopted the following refund and readmissions policies.
Top Up
Top Up allows a service member to use Military Tuition Assistance in conjunction with either the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) ® or the Post 9/11 GI Bill®* if the cost of tuition exceeds the amount covered. You must be eligible to use either Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 of the GI Bill® and meet the eligibility guidelines for tuition assistance. For more information, please visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/tuition-assistance.asp.
Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®
This is an education benefit for service members who have served on active duty for at least 90 days after 9/10/2001, or were discharged with a service connected disability after 30 consecutive days. An honorable discharge (character of service) is required for veterans. Individuals who are entitled to 100% of this benefit can have their entire cost of tuition and fees covered when eligible. For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911-gibill.asp.
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®
Service members who have paid into this benefit while on active duty may have a significant portion of their tuition and fees covered. This benefit pays to the student, so you will need to arrange a payment plan with your The Art Institutes financial aid officer. For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/montgomery-bill.asp.
Chapter 1606: Selective Reserve Montgomery GI Bill®
This program is for members of the Selective Reserve and National Guard who have enlisted or re-enlisted in the select reserve with an obligation to serve 6 or more years on or after July 1st 1985. In order to be eligible for this benefit, the member will have had to complete their IDAT (initial date active training). Chapter 1606 expires once a service member has separated. This benefit pays directly to the student; arrangements for tuition and fees payment will need to be made with your The Art Institutes financial aid officer. For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib-sr.asp.
Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
REAP is an education benefit to assist Reserve and National Guard members called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) for at least 90 cumulative days after 9/11/2001. This benefit pays directly to the student and can be used toward the cost of tuition and fees, so you will need to arrange a payment plan with your financial aid officer.
Note: If you have questions about your eligibility for REAP or Post-9/11 benefits, please call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (7 a.m. – 6 p.m. CST Monday – Friday) to speak with an Education Call Center Agent. For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/reap.asp.
Kickers & Additional Contributions
A kicker is part of an enlistment contract and is a fixed dollar amount that will be disbursed in even installments over the course of the entitlement period for Chapter 30 and 1606 recipients. The VA should automatically pay this benefit as an addition to the normal entitlement amount paid each month to the veteran. If not, the veteran should contact the VA Regional Office processing his or her claim. No additional paperwork is needed.
Veterans
Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®
This is an education benefit for service members who have served on active duty for at least 90 days after 9/10/2001, or were discharged with a service connected disability after 30 consecutive days. An honorable discharge (character of service) is required for veterans. Individuals who are entitled to 100% of this benefit can have their entire cost of tuition and fees covered while eligible. For more information, and to find a GI Bill® benefits calculator tool, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911-gibill.asp and https://www.vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool, respectively.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Art Institutes is proud to be a Yellow Ribbon School for all degree programs from the associate’s to the master’s level programs. The Yellow Ribbon Program provides assistance to veterans with 100% eligibility of Chapter 33 Post 9/11GI Bill® whose cost of tuition and fees exceeded the annual cap. Once the annual cap is reached, half of the remaining cost for tuition and fees for the fiscal year will be covered by the school and the VA will match the other half. As a Yellow Ribbon School, The Art Institutes will fully fund all eligible students for the cost of tuition and mandatory fees that exceed the established limits of the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Active duty service members and their spouses are not eligible for this program. Child transferees of active duty service members may be eligible if the service member is qualified at the 100% rate. For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow-ribbon.asp.
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®
Service members who have paid into this benefit while on active duty may have a significant portion of their tuition and fees covered. This benefit pays to the student, so you will need to arrange a payment plan with your The Art Institutes financial aid officer. For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/montgomery-bill.asp.
Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation
This employment program provides educational support to eligible veterans entering the work force. Veterans will meet with their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to develop an education plan. This benefit may cover the entire cost of tuition and fees. To contact a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/eligibility-and-entitlement.asp.
Spouses and Dependent Children
Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MYCAA) Program
This program provides educational assistance to spouses of Active Duty members towards an Associates or Certificate program. Students who are eligible can qualify up to a $4,000 lifetime limit, with a maximum of $2,000 per Department of Defense fiscal year (Oct 1st – Sep 30th). For more information, please visit http://www.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/SECO/MyCAA_Factsheet_Overview.pdf.
Transfer of Education Benefit (TEB) Post 9/11 GI Bill® to Dependents
Eligible active duty service members may be able to transfer their unused Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) benefit to their spouses or dependent children, while on active duty. This benefit may cover 100% of tuition and fees up to a maximum amount per fiscal year (Aug 1st – July 31st). For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911-transfer.asp.
Fry Scholarship
This scholarship provides the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) to children of service members who have died in the line of duty after 9/10/2001. Students who are entitled to this benefit may have a significant portion of their tuition covered.
Effective January 1, 2015, the law expanded eligibility for the Fry Scholarship to include surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who died or die in the line of duty after 9/10/2001. For more information, please visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/survivor-dependent-assistance.asp.
Chapter 35: Survivor and Dependents Assistance
This program provides educational assistance to spouses and dependents of veterans who have died or are totally and permanently disabled, as a result of their service, and may be able to assist with the cost of tuition and fees. This benefit pays directly to the student, so you will need to arrange a payment plan with your financial aid officer. For more information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/survivor-dependent-assistance.asp.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Trademark-Terms-of-Use.asp.
Military Brochure
We are committed to helping you—our military service members, veterans and your families—understand the financial investment you are making by pursuing a postsecondary education, along with helping you to understand and uncover the financial aid options for which you may be eligible. Our Military Brochure provides a summary of the most common military education benefits, including links to the federal sites for more detailed information.
In addition, the brochure describes the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet (Shopping Sheet) that will be provided to you to assist you as you make the important decision to continue your education. A personalized Shopping Sheet will be created for you in accordance with the Principles of Excellence as outlined in Executive Order 13607. For illustrative purposes, please review the Shopping Sheet template prescribed by the Department of Education to participating schools; your Shopping Sheet will follow this format.
The Art Institutes offer qualifying military students numerous military education benefits that can help you acquire the knowledge and skills you need. The Military Student Loan Benefits document provides you with an overview of the special benefits and repayment options for your student loans available from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Defense. For additional information about military education and housing benefits, explore our Education and Housing Benefits Guidelines.
Military and Veteran Institutional Scholarship Opportunities
The Art Institutes are proud to offer institutional scholarship opportunities to qualifying military and veteran students. Eligibility is based upon current or former military affiliation or relationship to a current military service member. Documentation will be required to prove eligibility. School personnel will be able to advise you regarding available scholarships, eligibility requirements and required documentation.
Military Personnel
The Art Institutes are pleased to offer a military tuition scholarship of 10% to eligible Active Duty, Active, and Drilling members of the Reserve and National Guard and the spouse of an Active Duty service member.
Veterans
Eligible veterans may receive a military tuition scholarship of 10%.
Additional information
For in-depth information, please speak with an admissions representative at The Art Institutes at 1-855-991-9325.
Transfer Credits Information
Transfer credits
Learn more about military experience credits and how to transfer college credits.
Military and veteran students bring invaluable real-life experience to The Art Institutes classrooms. Additionally, most military training courses have been evaluated for academic credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). At the Art Institutes, we will evaluate your Joint Service Transcript or corresponding official service transcript to determine if we can award college level credit for your prior learning.
The Art Institutes recognize credit from non-traditional educational sources such as College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) exams. Evaluation for award of credit based on these exams is done through the registrar’s office. The resources below can help you get started with planning for a CLEP exam or requesting your military transcript for a Transfer of Credit evaluation.
CLEP
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) can help you earn credit for what you’ve learned from the military and your life experience. Learn more about CLEP or schedule an exam at http://clep.collegeboard.org/.
DSST (also known as DANTES)
The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests exams are college level examinations through which one can receive college credit for prior knowledge in particular subject areas. For a complete listing, visit the testing services office or http://www.getcollegecredit.com.
Military Transcript Requests
Joint Services Transcript (JST) and Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript
The JST will produce a uniform transcript of all military training and experiences to service members of all branches except the Air Force.
For detailed instructions on how to request a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript, visit https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/community-college-of-the-air-force-transcripts/. You may mail a transcript request to:
Community College of the Air Force/DESS 100 South Turner Blvd Maxwell Gunter AFB AL 36114-3011
For a minimum charge, you can also order a transcript through Credentials Inc. online or via telephone from virtually anywhere in the world and your transcript will be mailed out the next business day: https://www.credentials-inc.com.
Credentials can be reached by phone at 1-800-646-1858 / 1-847-446-1027 from 0700hrs to 1900hrs CST
The school’s transfer of credit policy may be reviewed in our catalog and may be found on the Student Consumer Information web page in the Academics section, www.artinstitutes.edu. To view this information, you will need to select the actual location that you plan on attending, www.artinstitutes.edu. The policy provides guidelines regarding what will be reviewed to determine whether the credits may be eligible for transfer into The Art Institutes.
To find out more about transferring credits, contact the school’s registrar.
Helping Warriors and Their Families Thrive
To learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
FAQ
Military and Veteran student FAQs
How do I apply for my GI Bill®?
You can apply for the GI Bill® by filling out the VA forms at the Veterans On-Line Application website. You will complete VA form 22-1990 if you are applying for the first time and form 22-1995 if you are transferring your benefits from another institution.
What do I do if I used my GI Bill® at another institution?
You will need to fill out a VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of VA Educational Program or Place of Training form. The form may be found at https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/vonapp.asp.
Does The Art Institutes participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program?
The Art Institutes is proud to be a college that participates in the Post 9/11 GI Bill® "Yellow Ribbon" program. Depending on your benefit eligibility, you may find that you will be able to attend The Art Institutes without incurring any out-of-pocket expense for tuition. Contact your student financial aid officer for more details.
If I am deployed or transferred, will I be able to continue my education later?
The Art Institutes understand that military personnel are frequently deployed or transferred. If sudden deployments, relocations, or training missions interrupt your education, our military deployment policy provides for qualified military time off without financial or academic penalty. When your mission is complete, we are here for you. Upon readmission, we will help you to get back on track toward completing your degree.
Please also refer to our Military Deployment Refund and Readmissions Policy for additional information.
Which tuition policies are specifically related to veterans and military service members?
Veterans and military service members are charged the same tuition rate as all students and there is no instate or out of state tuition differential.
For a list of The Art Institutes military and veteran institutional scholarships and Federal military education benefits, Military and Veterans Educational Benefits reviewed above.
What are The Art Institutes?
The Art Institutes is a system of private schools throughout the United States. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. For information and contact details regarding The Art Institutes institutional accreditation, state licensing, programmatic accreditation and Veteran Affairs statements, please refer to our catalogs or visit our web pages at http://www.artinstitutes.edu/accreditation-and-licensing.aspx.
When can I get assistance from The Art Institutes military advising point of contact?
Immediately, the student services department at each school is available to assist with information on benefits and the admissions process. Military students are also encouraged to ask about academic support, financial aid advising, disability services and career services that are made available to our students.
What resources or tools are available to use in comparing schools when deciding where to attend school?
The following are resources and tools provided by the Department of Education (ED), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and to assist you in comparing institutions and making informed decisions about where to attend school. Please speak with your financial aid officer directly for additional guidance regarding the usage of these tools.
- The College Scorecard which is a planning tool and resource to assist prospective students and their families as they evaluate options in selecting a school and is located at: http://collegecost.ed.gov/scorecard/.
- The College Navigator which is a consumer tool that provides school information to include tuition and fees, retention and graduation rates, use of financial aid, student loan default rates and features a cost calculator and school comparison tool. The College Navigator is located at: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/.
- The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet which is a model aid award letter designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid so they can easily compare institutions and make informed decisions about where to attend school. The Shopping Sheet can be accessed at: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/aid-offer/index.html.
- The “Paying for College” webpage which can be used by prospective students to enter the names of up to three schools and receive detailed financial information on each one and to enter actual financial aid award information. The tool can be accessed at: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/.
- The GI Bill ® Comparison Tool provides key information about college affordability and value so beneficiaries can choose the best education program for their needs. The GI Bill® Comparison tool can be accessed at: https://www.vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool.
As a military personnel or veteran, what resources are available to assist me in searching for a job?
Graduates of The Art Institutes will meet individually with a career advisor who specializes in their field of study to review career goals, job-search strategies, interview techniques and resume development to ensure that they are on the path to success. Please contact the Student Affairs office at your school for additional information.
As military members or veterans, there are many additional resources that are available to assist you in your job search:
Veterans Employment Center: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs. The Veteran Employment Center (VEC) is a single source site designed by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs and their federal partners to help veterans and service members looking for employment opportunities. This site integrates multiple tools and resources for both job seekers and employers. The site includes a military skills translator, a resume builder, a Veterans Job Bank, and other resources. By visiting the Veteran Resource Center, military members and veterans will be connected to employers looking to hire veterans. The site also contains a list of veteran specific career fairs.
U.S. Department of Labor – Veteran Employment and Training:
Veterans may find specialized employment support through the Department of Labor’s American Job Centers, which have veteran employment specialists who work only with veterans in their job search and employers who want to hire veteran talent. These specialized staff positions are known as Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER). To find the American Job Center and the DVOP or LVER in your area visit the Department of Labor, CareerOneStop http://www.servicelocator.org/stateservices.asp
American Corporate Partners: http://www.acp-usa.org/
A mentor to help veterans in their job search is an important resource. American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting veterans in their transition from the armed services to the civilian workforce. With the help of business professionals nationwide, ACP offers veterans tools for long-term career development through mentoring, career counseling, and networking opportunities.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.