[PITTSBURGH, PA JULY 28, 2009] — The Art Institutes announced today that all Art Institutes schools in the United States have been approved to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

As a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, in states where The Art Institutes schools have tuition rates greater than the amount covered by the GI Bill, the institutions voluntarily will be able to provide tuition assistance to veterans to help offset all or some of their education costs.  The Yellow Ribbon Program allows institutions of higher learning to assist with tuition costs exceeding the GI Bill’s current maximum benefit rate, based on the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate in the applicable state.  The Art Institutes schools will contribute an additional amount to eligible veterans to offset those expenses and The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs will match the amount contributed by the school.  The amounts available and conditions depend on The Art Institutes school and the state in which it’s located.

“The Art Institutes system of schools is happy to be able to give back to those who do so much for our country,” says John Mazzoni, President of The Art Institutes.  “It is both an honor and a privilege to be able to provide these men and women with the educational opportunities they deserve.”

The program provides funding to veterans who have served at least 36 months of active duty following September 10, 2001, veterans who were honorably discharged from active duty for a service related disability and who served 30 continuous days following September 10, 2001, and dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran’s service under one of the first two criteria.

Eligible veterans may contact the Student Financial Services department at The Art Institutes school they are interested in attending to learn more about The Art Institutes school’s Yellow Ribbon Program participation.

To learn more about the Yellow Ribbon Program, visit www.gibill.va.gov.  To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit: www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=yrp001.

About The Art Institutes
The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
Media Contacts:
Jacquelyn P. Muller
Vice President – Public Relations
The Art Institutes
Office:  412.995.7262
[email protected]

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Devra Pransky
Sr. Director of Communications
The Art Institutes
Office: 412.995.7685
[email protected]