The Art Institute Campuses - Financial Information

Policies applying to The Art Institute Campuses may differ from those pertaining to South University campuses and South University Online.

Tuition

Changes in tuition and fees become effective fall term and apply to all students unless otherwise specified. In-state and out-of-state tuition are the same. Tuition and fees are subject to change at the end of any term. Unless otherwise stated, the cost of books, art supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses are not included in tuition or fees.

Tuition for the Art Institute of Charlotte and Raleigh Durham is $473 per credit hour for undergraduate programs, 1-18 credit hours, both online and at the campus.

Tuition for the Art Institute of Dallas and Ft. Worth is $488 per credit hour for undergraduate programs, 1-18 credit hours, both online and at the campus.

Tuition for the Master of Arts in Design & Media Management at The Art Institute of Dallas, a campus of South University or its additional teaching locations at The Art Institute of Houston or The Art Institute of Austin is as follows: $592 per credit hour (for 1-18 credits).

Note:  Tuition for credit hours above 18 credits are the same for all programs/campuses but require the permission of the Program Director, Program Coordinator or Dean of Academic Affairs at the student’s home campus. 

Fees for The Art Institute Campuses

Fees for The Art Institute Campuses

The Art Institute of Charlotte, a campus of South University

The Art Institute of Dallas, a campus of South University

The Art Institute of Fort Worth, a campus of South University (Effective May 6, 2015 no longer enrolling new students)

The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham, a campus of South University

The table above is calculated at full load, which is an average of 15 credit hours per quarter.  the calculatoin would be based on 12 credit hours per quarter if a student were to take a minimum allowable credits required to still be considered a full time student.

Please visit our Student Consumer Information page to find the average time to completion for continuously enrolled students for each credential level offered. This data is available at the average credit load, fulltime or at full load. Changing programs, beginning programs at the midterm start date, taking remedial courses, taking time off from coursework, registering for fewer hours or unsuccessful attempts at course completion will increase the total length of the program and overall cost of education from what is disclosed. Transfer credits awarded toward your program will likely decrease the overall length and cost of education.

¹ Lab fees above represent the total for the program and are charged per course or quarter. Lab fees are treated as tuition for refund purposes.

² Not all courses include a Digital Textbook. Courses that include a Digital Textbook will be noted in the registration material and the Digital Textbook will be charged in addition to tuition unless the student chooses to opt out. Students who do not opt out will not need to purchase textbooks for courses using a Digital Textbook. The purchase of the Digital Textbook is not refundable. Students who do opt out will be responsible for purchasing the required textbook. If a course does not use a Digital Textbook, the student is responsible for purchasing the required textbook. The Digital Textbook charge is $50 per course for most courses; however, some courses may have more than one Digital Textbook and carry a Digital Textbook charge of $75 per course.

³ The starting kit is optional and consists of basic equipment and materials needed for beginning each program. A list of the components of the starting kit is provided to each enrolled student. These materials may be purchased at the school or at most supply stores. Kit prices include tax and are subject to change.

⁴ Approximate tuition and fees is based on the current credit hour rate. Total cost will increase with each per credit hour tuition increase.

Student I.D. Replacement Fee

Photographs for student IDs are taken during orientation and student IDs are issued to new students during their first week of classes. There is no charge for the initial student ID. Students who lose their IDs may obtain a replacement through the office of the dean of student affairs for a charge of $2 per occurrence.

Student Accounting and Financial Services

The students, or parents when applicable, receive periodic tuition and fee payment notices. Payments are due on the dates agreed upon in the financial plan developed with the Student Financial Services Office (SFS).

At the time of initial enrollment, the student works with a Financial Planner and develops a financial plan to assure that he/she will be able to meet the expenses involved in the educational process (tuition, fees, supplies, cost of living, etc.). As the student progresses, the plan is updated as actual eligibility becomes known. The school is sensitive to the unforeseen circumstances that can affect a student’s ability to meet financial commitments. Consequently, the staff offers planning services to all students. Any student who has incurred or anticipates a financial problem is encouraged to meet with the Student Financial Services staff and receive consulting assistance as needed to assure his/her ability to complete the program.

The campus offers its students the opportunity to apply for a variety of financial assistance programs. These programs include loan, grant, and work-study assistance for qualified applicants. Details regarding these programs are available in the Student Financial Services Office.

Students who receive financial assistance are cautioned to remember the various responsibilities they have under these programs:

• To maintain satisfactory academic progress as outlined in this handbook and in the catalog.
• To inform the Student Financial Services Office of address changes, schedule changes, program changes, or any other status change(s) that might affect the student’s eligibility for financial assistance.
• To initiate loan and grant renewal applications in advance of the second or third academic years, as applicable.

Some students do not initially apply for financial assistance or apply and are determined to be ineligible for assistance. The continuing student should be aware that the federal and state eligibility criteria are periodically reviewed and modified. Therefore, any students whose financial circumstances change or for whom a financial need arises should contact the Student Financial Services Office for assistance.

As noted above, the student who receives financial assistance must maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for such assistance on a continuing basis. Satisfactory academic progress policies and related financial assistance eligibility are outlined in the following paragraphs.

A detailed list of the cost of each program, tuition, fees, and required materials can be found in the enrollment agreement provided by the Admissions Department.

Students in need of purchasing books for their classes will need to sign an authorization form either approving or not approving the use of excess Title IV funds, if applicable, to cover the cost of books and supplies. If the purchase of books and supplies should exceed the amount of the student’s credit balance after all aid pays in, the remaining amount due will be posted to the student’s account and the student will be responsible for making alternative payment arrangements.

Students who do not authorize and who have excess Title IV funding due to receiving funds from a Pell Grant will receive the lesser amount of either the amount of their Pell Grant excess or their full credit balance amount, for the term in question, within seven days of the start of the term. Students who do not authorize and who are receiving excess Title IV funds but do not have a Pell Grant will receive a stipend within the later of the term begin date or 14 days of the date of their credit balance on their ledger card.

For detailed information on all financial aid awards, processes, requirements, and deadlines, please refer to the school’s current Financial Aid Guide or contact the Student Financial Services Office directly.

Digital Bookshelf and Digital Textbook

The school is enhancing the learning experience by converting traditional textbooks to electronic media. A majority of courses will have a Digital Textbook associated with the course. Courses that include a Digital Textbook will be noted in the registration material. Students enrolling in a course that includes a Digital Textbook will incur an additional Digital Textbook charge, in addition to the course tuition. Students that opt out of using digital textbooks for that course will not incur the additional Digital Textbook charge. Students that do not opt out will not need to purchase textbooks for courses using a Digital Textbook. Students that do opt out will be responsible for purchasing the required textbook.  The Digital Textbook Charge allows student access to the Electronic Library and HTML versions of the textbook(s), and in some cases, other electronic media, which is integrated into the course.

If a student was charged for a Digital Textbook in a previous course and the student is required to use the same Digital Textbook for another course, the student will not incur the Digital Textbook charge again since students have access to the Digital Textbook for up to ten years. On average the price of the Digital Textbook charge is less than the retail price of the textbook(s) for each course, with the added benefits of no shipping charges, immediate access to the materials, and interactive features that accompany the Digital Bookshelf.  eCollege and Vitalsource System and Hardware Specifications

The Art Institute Campuses use eCollege and Vital Source to deliver its digital resources. As with any software, the faster the processor, the more RAM, and the larger hard drive space you provide, the better the performance. Users wanting to move their material to their hard drive may need additional space. It is also important that users understand the process and benefits of maintaining their machines in top operating condition by keeping them current with the latest operating system updates, correctly configuring virus control, and other beneficial habits.

Preferred Requirements:

• Mac OSX 10.5 or 10.6 - OR -
• Windows 7 or Vista with Microsoft .Net 3.5 SP1
• Latest version of Safari Browser, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer

Preferred Hardware Specifications:

• 2.0 GHz INTEL processor
• 1 GB of RAM
• Graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution or larger
• Soundcard & speakers
• High speed internet access

Minimum Requirements:

• Apple Mac OSX 10.4 - OR -
• Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or higher with Microsoft .Net 3.5 SP1
• Safari browser 3.0.4 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or higher, Internet Explorer 6 or higher

Minimum Hardware Specifications:

• 1.0 GHz processor
• 512 MB of RAM
• Graphics card capable of 1024x768 screen resolution
• Dial-up internet access is the minimum standard, however, a higher speed is recommended

Recommended Plug-ins or Downloads:

The course instructor may employ technology in the eCollege classroom that requires one of these recommended plug-ins or downloads in order to function properly. If your instructor uses the ClassLive technology, Java will be required. If your instructor provides PDF files, Adobe Reader may be required to open and view those files. You can download these items at the time that they are deemed necessary.

• Java
• If Mac - MacOS Classic Java (MRJ 2.2.5) (http://developer.apple.com/java/index.html)
• If Windows - Sun’s Java 2 SDK (Java 1.5 or Java 1.6) (http://www.java.com)
• Adobe Reader (http://get.adobe.com/reader/)

Recommendation regarding “Netbooks”

Students often see “Netbooks” (small laptop computers primarily designed for web browsing and emailing) as an affordable option when looking to purchase a computer for classwork. However, it is strongly recommend that students do not purchase a Netbook.

Purchasing a low-price laptop or desktop computer that meets the system requirements outlined above is a much better solution for classwork. While newer Netbooks may meet resolution and screen-size requirements for reading your eBooks, much like some older laptops, some older Netbooks may not be able to graphically handle these sites. This means that reading e-texts and participating in the classroom could become difficult. It may be challenging to scroll through your readings and effectively and efficiently work through the material.

Provision for Books and Supplies

A student who is Title IV eligible, has a Federal (Title IV) credit balance, and is regularly enrolled will receive a stipend for the amount of her or his excess Title IV funding to provide the student the ability to purchase supplies by the seventh (7th) day the student (having a Federal credit balance) becomes a regular student with The Art Institute. 

As described below, by the seventh (7th) day of each course start date within the payment period, The Art Institute will provide a method for a student to obtain her or his textbooks required for her or his courses.

• For courses using a Digital Textbook, a Digital Textbook provided by The Art Institute to be automatically redeemed with The Art Institute’s contracted third-party vendor and charged to the student account.
• For courses using a Traditional Textbook, a Traditional Textbook provided by The Art Institute and charged to the student account.

Title IV funding, if the student is eligible, will be used to pay for these charges. Any textbooks or supplies charged in excess of Title IV and other financial aid funding on the student account are the responsibility of the student. A detailed listing of charges is disclosed in The Art Institute’s Catalog or a supplemental disclosure.

If the student opts out of The Art Institute’s method for receiving her or his textbooks, the student account will not be charged and the student is responsible for purchasing the required textbooks for her/his courses.  For courses using textbooks (Digital or Traditional), the charge will be reversed on the student account after the Add/Drop Period.

If the student opts out of The Art Institute’s method, s/he will receive any Title IV credit balance, if one is created for the payment period in question, no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the first day of class or fourteen (14) calendar days of the date the Title IV credit balance appears on the student account. If a Title IV credit balance is not created and, therefore, the student is not due to receive one, s/he is responsible for purchasing the required textbooks and supplies for her or his courses.

The student may request a modification at any time for a subsequent payment period, regarding her or his choice to use The Art Institute’s method to obtain textbooks, but not retroactively, by contacting the Student Financial Services or Student Accounting Department.

Student Financial Assistance Eligibility Policy Full-Time Programs

If you receive federal or state sponsored financial assistance, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress. If you wish to appeal actions taken in compliance with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, you may do so as described in the appeals process outlined in the Students’ Rights Policies.

Transcript Fees

Copies of transcripts will be provided to students for a fee of $5.00 per copy. However, transcripts will be withheld if a student has any outstanding financial obligation to the campus.

Refund Policy

Examples of the calculations for these polices are available in the Student Accounting Office

As allowed under Federal, state, and accreditation agency rules, the refund policy may be changed.  Students will be notified approximately sixty (60) calendar days in advance of any changes.

Initial Period of Enrollment and Cancellation Refund Policy for First-Time Undergraduate Students Enrolled On-Ground

For purposes of this Initial Period of Enrollment Policy, a first-time undergraduate student is defined as a student who is not currently enrolled, is not a prior graduate from an undergraduate program, and does not have a prior enrollment in a withdrawn or dismissal status. 

For students in graduate programs and undergraduate students who have previously attended, please see the Refund Policy Prior to Class Start section of the enrollment agreement and catalog.

The school provides all new applicants seeking a first-time enrollment in any on-ground undergraduate program of study, including hybrid programs, an Initial Period of Enrollment.  The Initial Period of Enrollment allows first-time undergraduate students the ability to begin classes as a non-regular student, without any financial penalty, to determine if our school and educational program are right for the student.  Students who enroll may cancel their enrollment prior to the start of the term or within seven (7) calendar days following the first day of the student’s first scheduled class, whichever is later (referred to as the “Initial Period”). 

The chart below illustrates the days in the Initial Period for a non-regular student:

A first-time undergraduate student who notifies the school of the intent to withdraw in person or in writing, or simply stops attending and does not attend classes past the seventh (7th) calendar day following the student’s first day of the term or first scheduled class, whichever is later,  will be considered a cancellation.  The school will refund any monies paid on the student’s behalf and will remove any charges from the student’s account.  All refunds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the cancellation.

During a first-time student’s Initial Period of Enrollment in an undergraduate program, the student is considered a non-regular student for federal student aid purposes and is not eligible to receive federal, state or any other types of aid during this period. 

Please note, a first-time undergraduate student who is receiving military educational benefits may incur a debt with the benefit provider for educational benefits paid if the student cancels within the seventh (7th) calendar day following the student’s first scheduled class or does not meet the requirements for admission to the school. 

Students who complete the Initial Period of Enrollment will be reviewed for full admission into the school as a regular student on the ninth (9th) respective calendar day (the day after the first calendar day plus seven (7) calendar days).  Students are required to meet all school admission requirements and any additional programmatic admission requirements that apply to the student’s program of study.  Students completing the Initial Period of Enrollment who continue in the educational program will be subject to all student policies back to the first day of the student’s first term or first scheduled class day, whichever is later, including the withdrawal, refund and Return to Title IV policy should the student cease attending at a later date. 

In order to qualify for aid, students must be a regular student and meet all federal, state, or other types of aid eligibility requirements.  

Cancellation Refund Policy Student Examples for On-Ground Students:

Example 1:

1. Student’s first scheduled class is January 5th. 
2. Student ceases to attend and his or her last date of attendance is January 9th (the 4th day).
3. Student would no longer be enrolled and would not be eligible for any Title IV, state aid and other aid program funding nor would the student be charged tuition or fees for any portion of his or her Initial Period or for the term.
4. Students receiving military educational benefits may incur a debt with the benefit provider for educational benefits paid.

Example 2: 

1. Student’s first scheduled class is January 5th. 
2. Student remains enrolled and attends class through January 14 (the 9th day), then ceases enrollment and attendance.  
3. Student would be charged for the full class amount and his or her refund, if any, would be calculated based on withdrawal on day ten (10) of the class. 
4. Student would be eligible for Title IV, veteran’s benefits, state aid, and other aid programs, if all other conditions are met for admission and aid eligibility, since he or she became a regular student after January 11th (the 7th day). 
5. Students receiving military educational benefits may incur a debt with the benefit provider for educational benefits paid.

Refund Policy Prior to Class Start

Applicants may cancel their enrollment in person or in writing before the beginning of classes. An applicant not requesting cancellation before the scheduled starting date indicated on his or her Enrollment Agreement will be considered a student.

1. All monies paid by applicants will be refunded if they are not accepted for admission.
2. The applicant may cancel the contract and receive a full refund of all monies paid if cancellation is requested by the applicant prior to the beginning of classes or within five (5) business days after signing the enrollment agreement, whichever is later, and making an initial payment.
3. For The Art Institutes of Charlotte, if the student has not visited the school prior to enrollment, all tuition and fee monies paid by applicants will be refunded if requested within three (3) business days after their first tour of the school and inspection of equipment or if requested within three (3) business days of the student’s attendance at the regularly scheduled orientation program for their starting date, whichever is sooner.
4. Refunds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days after the applicant’s/student’s request to cancel application or within thirty (30) calendar days after his/her first scheduled class.

Refund Policy After Class Start

All students will be subject to the institutional refund policy.  Students who receive Federal student aid and are subject to the Return of Title IV Funds Policy. In the event of withdrawal by the student or termination by the school during any quarter of study:

1. Prepaid tuition and fees for any period beyond the student’s current quarter will be refunded in full.
2. The student may officially withdraw from school by notifying the Office of the Registrar in person or in writing. The termination date will be the student’s last date of attendance.  If the student stops attending without notifying the Office of the Registrar, the school shall determine the date of withdrawal. This determination date will be considered the notification date for refunding purposes. Refunds due shall be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the notification date, unless the student is withdrawing at the end of the quarter.
3. Refunds for a student notifying the school prior to the end of a quarter that he/she will be withdrawing at the end of that quarter will be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the last day of that quarter.
4. For a student who attended a previous quarter of study and did not indicate that he/she was not returning, refunds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the first scheduled day of class in the quarter in which the student was expected to return. 
5. The refund shall be paid to the student, unless payment to a lender or other entity is required by the terms of a student financial aid program in which the school participates.
6. In the event of a fully documented extreme illness or personal emergency that makes it impractical for the student to complete the program, the school may modify the tuition refund policy as deemed appropriate to the circumstances.
7. In the event the school cancels or changes a course or program of study in such a way that a student who had started the program or course is unable to complete it, The Art Institute will refund all monies paid by the student for the course or program within thirty (30) calendar days.
8. A separate lease agreement and refund policy exists for students who lease housing accommodations arranged by the school. The school reserves the right to apply any student payment, or any refund due a student, to any student financial liability.
9. Each academic quarter is eleven (11) weeks in duration. The calculation of refunds is based upon the last day of attendance within the quarter. Any portion of a day’s attendance is considered a full day of attendance for refund purposes.
10. Session II academic terms are approximately five and one-half (5¹/₂)weeks in duration. The calculation of refunds is based upon the last day of attendance within the term. Any portion of a day’s attendance is considered a full day of attendance for refund purposes. Information in the catalog or student handbook will apply except for the following changes specific to Session II courses:  The add/drop period is two days from the start of Session II courses and financial aid eligibility may change if the student drops or adds one or more courses. Please see your Financial Aid Officer before dropping or adding a course.

11. If a student has not attended sixty (60) percent of the academic term, the school shall not retain or be entitled to payment for a percentage of any tuition and fees or other educational costs for a session that was scheduled to be taken during the relevant academic term but was not attended because the student withdrew from school prior to the commencement of the session.  For example, if a student is enrolled for multiple sessions within the term but withdraws completely from school prior to the start of a subsequent session within the academic term, the adjustment of charges based on the student’s last date of attendance will be applied to the applicable period of attended session(s) using the session(s) charges and the start date of the first attended session through the end date of the last attended session within the academic term. Charges for the unattended session(s) after the student’s last date of attendance within the academic term will be reversed for the Institutional Refund Policy, or State Refund Policy, where applicable.   The reversal of applicable charges will be completed after the Return of Title IV Policy.   For the Return of Title IV, the evaluation period and term charges include the entire period in which the student registered.

12. If a student has attended sixty (60) percent of the academic term, the evaluation period and academic term charges include the entire period in which the student registered. The Institutional Refund Policy, or State Refund Policy, where applicable, shall be applied based on the student’s last date of attendance in the academic term using the academic term charges, aid disbursd during the academic term, and the start date of the first session through the end date of the last session within the academic term. For the Return of Title IV, the evaluation period and academic term charges include the entire period in which the student registered.

Adjustment of Charges for the Quarter or Courses Delivered in Session I or in Session II

The Art Institutes of Dallas and Fort Worth:

In accordance with The Art Institutes of Dallas and Fort Worth refund policy, in the event of withdrawal by the student, or suspension or termination by the school:

1. Refer to the Kits, Components of the Kits, Books, or Supplies Return Policy below.
2. In the event of withdrawal or suspension or termination from school, the school will retain earned tuition and fees for the quarter and mid-quarter starts as follows, based on the week in which the student withdraws:

Week 1                                    25% of the term’s tuition and fees

Week 2                                    50% of the term’s tuition and fees

Week 3                                    75% of the term’s tuition and fees

After Week 3                          100% of the term’s tuition and fees

Refund Policy for Oklahoma Residents at The Art Institutes of Dallas and Fort Worth:

1. For first quarter students who terminate within the first week of training, the school will retain no more than ten percent (10%) of the contract price of the program.
2. For a student terminating training after completing the first week but within the first twenty-five percent (25%) of the program, the tuition and fees retained by the school shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the contract price of the program.
3. For a student terminating training after completing over twenty-five percent (25%) up through fifty percent (50%) of the program, the tuition and fees retained by the school shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the contract price of the program.
4. A student completing more than fifty percent (50%) of the program is not entitled to a refund of any tuition.
5. In case of a student’s prolonged illness or accident, death in the family, or any other circumstances that make it impractical to complete the course, that school shall make settlement, which is reasonable and fair to both.
6. In all other respects and circumstances, the refund policy set forth above applies to Oklahoma students.

Adjustment of Charges for the Quarter or Courses Delivered in Session I or in Session II

The Art Institutes of Charlotte and Raleigh Durham:

In accordance with the North Carolina Administrative Code for The Art Institutes of Charlotte and Raleigh Durham, if a student withdraws from school, the school will earn tuition and fees as follows, based on the student’s last day of attendance:

Quarter Starts:

First twenty-five percent (25%) of the quarter in calendar days - 25%

After the first twenty-five percent (25%) of the quarter in calendar days - 100%

Mid-Quarter Starts:

Week One                                                 25%

Week Two                                                 50%

Week Three                                              75%

After Week Three                                    100%

Return of Federal Title IV Aid

In compliance with Federal regulations, the school will determine how much Federal student financial assistance the student has earned or not earned when a student who is a Title IV recipient withdraws from school.

The school will calculate the percentage and amount of awarded Federal student financial assistance that the student has earned if the student withdraws up through the sixty (60) percent point of the term or session if the student is only attending a session. If the student has completed more than sixty (60) percent of the term, the student earns one hundred (100) percent of the Federal student financial assistance.

The amount earned will be based on the percentage of the term that was completed in days up to and including the last date of attendance. To calculate the amount earned, the school will determine the percentage by dividing the number of calendar days completed in the term up to and including the last date of attendance by the total number of calendar days in the term. If there is a scheduled break of five (5) or more days, it will reduce the term length and if the scheduled break is before the student’s last date of attendance, it will also reduce the calendar days completed.

If the student received more than the amount of Federal student financial assistance earned, the difference will be returned to the Federal student financial assistance programs from which funds were received in the following order: Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Federal Subsidized Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Funds will be returned to the aid source within forty-five (45) calendar days of the date that the school determines that the student has withdrawn.

If more Federal student financial assistance has been earned than has been received, the student may be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement. The school will notify the student of any post-withdrawal disbursement loan funds for which the student may be eligible and what steps need to be taken for the Federal financial assistance funds to be received. The student or parent, in the case of the Federal PLUS Loans, needs to provide permission before any loan funds may be disbursed on the student’s account or disbursed to the student or parent. However, the school may automatically use all or a portion of the post-withdrawal disbursement of grant funds for tuition, fees, and room and board charges (as contracted with the school), and, with the student’s authorization, the school may automatically use the grant funds for other educationally-related charges.  Any balance of grant funds that may be available will be offered to the student.

If Federal student financial assistance funds need to be returned, the institution must return a portion or all of the unearned funds equal to the lesser of:

− The institutional charges multiplied by the percentage of the unearned Federal student financial assistance funds; or 

− The entire amount of unearned funds.

If there are remaining unearned Federal financial aid funds to be returned, the student must return any loan funds that remain to be returned in accordance with the terms and conditions of the promissory note. If the remaining amount of funds to be returned includes grant funds, the student must return any amount of the overpayment that is more than half of the grant funds received. The school will notify the student as to the amount owed and how and where it should be returned.

If students are only scheduled to attend Session I or Session II, the Return of Title IV calculation as described in the Enrollment Agreement will be applied to the applicable session attended using the session start and end dates.

Refund Policy for Online Course Withdrawal

Students who withdrawal from a Session I or Session II online course after the add/drop period are treated the same as if they withdrew from an on-ground course. Session II courses begin approximately the day after the Session I courses end, and run approximately five and one-half (5 ½) weeks. The ending date of the second session may not coincide with ending date of the on-ground courses.

Refund Calculations After Class Start

If there is additional money to be refunded from federal funds after calculating the Return of Title IV formula and the refund policy, the refund will be made to the student or, with the student’s authorization, to the Federal loan program(s) in the following order, up to the amount received for the term of withdrawal:  Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Federal Subsidized Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal PLUS Loans and Alternative Loans. If there is an additional credit balance made up of non-Title IV funds, it will be refunded in the following order, up to the amount received for the term of withdrawal:  Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Federal Subsidized Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, Alternative Loans, other loans, other aid (if required), and student.

Kits, Components of the Kits, Books, or Supplies Return Policy

For The Art Institutes of Dallas and Fort Worth:  If kits, components of the kit, books, supplies, or uniforms, are returned to the Supply Store in resalable, completely unused condition within twenty-one (21) calendar days of withdrawal, a credit will be given. Students who leave school during the first three (3) weeks of the mid-quarter session may return the starting kit and/or individual components of the starting kit within ten (10) calendar days of the last date of attendance in the mid-quarter session.

For The Art Institutes of Charlotte and Raleigh Durham:  Students who leave school during the first three (3) weeks of the session may return the starting kit and/or individual components of the starting kit within ten (10) calendar days of your last date of attendance. If kits, components of the kit, books, or supplies are returned to the bookstore in re-salable condition, a credit will be given.

All refunds and return of funds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the student notifies The school of the withdrawal.

Official and Unofficial Withdrawal

To officially withdraw, the student will need to notify the Office of the Registrar in person or in writing.  The registrar will assist the student to complete the withdrawal process and will determine the last date of attendance and the date of determination.  The date of determination would be the earlier of the date the student begins the school’s withdrawal process or the date the student provides notice.  For students who unofficially withdraw, the Registrar will determine the last date of attendance using attendance records.  The refund policies shall apply in the event that a student withdraws, is suspended, or is terminated from school.

A student who withdraws from a program before the end of week nine (9) for an eleven (11) week term (before the end of week four (4) for a five and one-half week (5 ½) week term) will be assigned a “W” code for each course within that quarter. To withdraw from a program, a student must notify the Registrar’s Office. Every course for which a student receives an “F”, a “UF”, or a “W” grade/code must be repeated and completed with a passing grade in order to graduate. The original grade/code and the subsequent passing grade(s) will remain on the record for reference purposes. However, when a course is successfully repeated, only the passing grade will be computed in the grade point average. Tuition is charged for repeated courses.

When a final course grade has been established and recorded in the student record, the grade may not be changed without approval by the Academic Director or Chair and the Dean of Academic Affairs. Withdrawals and failed courses can affect the student’s Incremental Completion Rate and ability to succeed.

For the purpose of determining a refund, a student is deemed to have withdrawn from a course of instruction when any of the following occur:

• The student notifies the school of withdrawal or of the date of withdrawal.
• The school terminates the student’s enrollment in accordance with institutional policies.
• The student exceeds the number of absences allowed and must be withdrawn from the last class remaining on his/her program of study. The date of withdrawal shall be deemed the last date of recorded attendance.
• All refunds and return of funds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of determination.

Student Aid Programs

The purpose of federal student financial aid programs is to ensure that all students have an opportunity to obtain a college education, and that no student will be denied that opportunity because of lack of funds. Central to the purpose of financial aid is the belief that students and their families, to the extent possible, have the primary responsibility to pay for the student’s college education. Financial aid is made available to assist students when family resources are not sufficient to meet college costs. All students are to be treated fairly and equitably by applying policies and procedures for determining eligibility consistently. Though applicants are encouraged to seek financial aid, students should not rely solely on these monies to support themselves throughout the academic year. Students receiving any form of financial aid are required to meet standards for academic progress and attendance. Proof of such progress on a periodic basis is verified prior to any disbursements of financial aid. Failure to make satisfactory academic progress or satisfactory attendance requirements may result in the termination or reduction of financial aid. Though The Art Institute Campuses’ financial aid staff is responsible for accurate distribution, explanation, documentation, and validation of financial aid requirements, it is the student’s responsibility to comply with all requests in a timely fashion if the student wishes to continue receiving benefits. Federal aid grants are awarded on a fiscal year basis, beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Some applicants may need to complete the application process twice during an academic or calendar year.

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant Program

Federal Pell Grants are based on financial need, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, students must: make application; prove U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status; be able to show graduation from high school or its equivalency; not owe a refund on a federal grant nor be in default on a federal loan; and maintain satisfactory academic progress in school.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need (with priority given to Pell Grant recipients). This typically does not have to be repaid.

Federal Loans

Federal Direct Loan Program

Subsidized

The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a variable interest loan available to students through eligible lenders. The loan is obtained directly from private banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions. To be eligible, a student must be a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United States and meet other eligibility requirements. Repayment of the loan begins six (6) months after the student’s last day of attendance.

Unsubsidized

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a variable interest loan available to students through eligible lenders. Independent students may borrow the Unsubsidized Loan without credit requirements. The Unsubsidized Loans repayment begins six (6) months after the student’s last day of attendance. Dependent students who do not meet the need requirements for a Subsidized Loan, or whose parents are denied a PLUS Loan, may also apply for this loan.

Federal Direct Parent Loan fur Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loan Program

The Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students is a variable interest loan available to parents through eligible lenders. The PLUS loan is a credit-worthy loan available to parents of dependent students. The PLUS loan repayment begins 60 days after the loan is disbursed.

Veterans Education Act

The Veterans Education Act provides varying levels of assistance to eligible veterans, disabled veterans, and their dependents. If you are a veteran or the dependent of a veteran, contact the local Veterans Affairs office in your region, visit www.gibill.va.gov. 

U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense Education Benefits

South University has been approved by the veteran state approving agency in the states listed below for the training of veterans and eligible veterans’ dependents. Where applicable, utilizing the Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits may receive assistance from the School Certifying Official in the filing of appropriate forms. These students must maintain satisfactory attendance and academic progress (refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy of the catalog for more information). Students receiving veterans’ benefits must report all prior education and training. South University will evaluate prior credit and accept that which is appropriate. Students with questions should contact the veteran state approving agency for the state in which their campus operates. 

Alabama:  South University, Montgomery, is approved by the Alabama State Approving Agency for the training of veterans and other eligible individuals under the Code of Alabama §§ 31-6-1, et seq.

Florida:  South University, Tampa, is approved for training veterans and other eligible individuals by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Bureau of State Approving Agency for Veterans Education, Training (9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214; Bay Pines, FL 33744; 727-319-7402; www.floridavets.org).

South University, West Palm Beach, is approved for training veterans and other eligible individuals by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Bureau of State Approving Agency for Veterans Education, Training (9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214; Bay Pines, FL 33744; 727-319-7402; www.floridavets.org).

Georgia: South University, Savannah, is approved for training veterans and other individuals by the State of Georgia Department of Veterans Services’ Veterans Education and Training Division (Floyd Veterans Memorial Building., Suite E-970; Atlanta, GA 30334-4800; 404-656-2306 or 404-656-2322).

Michigan:  South University, Novi, is approved for training veterans and other eligible individuals by the Michigan State Approving Agency (Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan; Victor Office Center; 201 North Washington Square, 5th Floor; Lansing, MI 48913; 517-335-5858; www.michigan.gov/bwt).

North Carolina: South University, High Point, is approved for the training of veterans and eligible veterans’ dependents by the North Carolina State Approving Agency (120 Penmarc Drive, Suite 103; Raleigh, NC 27603-2434; 919-733-7535).

The Art Institute of Charlotte, a campus of South University, is approved for the training of veterans and eligible veterans’ dependents by the North Carolina State Approving Agency (120 Penmarc Drive, Suite 103; Raleigh, NC 27603-2434; 919-733-7535).

The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham, a campus of South University, is approved for the training of veterans and eligible veterans’ dependents by the North Carolina State Approving Agency (120 Penmarc Drive, Suite 103; Raleigh, NC 27603-2434; 919-733-7535).

Ohio: South University, Cleveland is approved for the training of veterans and eligible individuals by the State Approving Agency of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services (.77 South High Street, 7th Floor; Columbus, OH 43215; Phone: 614-466-9287; Fax: 614-387-7317; http://dvs.ohio.gov/VETERANS_EDUCATION/State_Approving_Agency).

South Carolina: South University, Columbia, is approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (Veterans Education and Training section) for the training of veterans and other eligible persons.

Texas: South University, Austin, is approved for training veterans and other individuals by the Texas Veterans Commission (PO Box 12277, Austin, TX 78711-2277; 800-252-8387; www.tvc.state.tx.us).

The Art Institute of Dallas, a campus of South University, is approved for training veterans and other individuals by the Texas Veterans Commission (PO Box 12277, Austin, TX 78711-2277; 800-252-8387; www.tvc.state.tx.us).

The Art Institute of Dallas, a campus of South University is approved for training veterans and other individuals by the Texas Veterans Commission (PO Box 12277, Austin, TX 78711-2277; 800-252-8387; www.tvc.state.tx.us).

Virginia: South University, Richmond, is approved for training veterans and other eligible individuals by the State Approving Agency for Veterans Education of the Virginia Department of Veterans’ Services (SAA for Veterans Education and Training; 900 E Main St; Richmond, VA 23219; 804-224-2721; www.dvs.virginia.gov/education_veteranseducation.shtml).

South University, Virginia Beach, is approved for training veterans and other eligible individuals by the State Approving Agency for Veterans Education of the Virginia Department of Veterans’ Services (SAA for Veterans Education and Training; 900 E Main St; Richmond, VA 23219; 804-224-2721; www.dvs.virginia.gov/education_veteranseducation.shtml).

For students using Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, any complaint against the school should be routed through the VA GI Bill Feedback System by going to the following website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp.  The VA will then follow up through the appropriate channels to investigate the complaint and resolve it satisfactorily.

As a Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding education institution participant and signatory, South University is approved for Tuition Assistance. Eligibility for Tuition Assistance varies by military branch. Military spouses may also be eligible to use Department of Defense educational benefits under the Military Spouse Career Advancement Scholarship (MyCAA) program. Service members or military spouses wishing to use Department of Defense education benefits must obtain approval from their respective military branch or the Department of Defense prior to starting the course. 

While benefit and eligibility information is provided by South University, the ultimate approval of a student’s ability to use a particular benefit is determined by the respective government agency offering the benefit.   Eligible service members, veterans and dependents may contact the Student Financial Services department at South University to learn more about these programs and participation. For additional information, visit www.southuniversity.edu.

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.

Federal Work Study

Through the Federal Work-Study program, students have the opportunity to meet part of their expenses by working part-time on or off campus. A limited number of assignments are available, with priority given to students with the greatest need. The Student Financial Services Department has more details. The maximum students can earn through this program is the amount of their unmet need (the difference between expenses and all their resources). For a more complete description of federal aid programs, please ask for The Art Institute Campuses’ Current Guide to Financial Aid.

For detailed and complete information on all financial aid awards, processes, requirements, and deadlines, please refer to the University’s current Financial Aid Guide, the Student Consumer Information on each campus’s website, or contact the Student Financial Services Office directly.

Scholarships and Grants

The Art Institute Campuses offer the following scholarships and grants to continuing eligible undergraduate students each quarter. For information regarding scholarships for high school seniors, contact the Admissions Department.

For application and eligibility information on Pell or SEOG grants, students should speak with a representative from Student Financial Services.

Education Foundation Scholarship (Charlotte, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Raleigh-Durham locations)

The Education Foundation is a non-profit corporation that was created in 2002 to raise scholarship funding to support the academic and career goals of enrolled and prospective students at Education Management Corporation-owned schools. Scholarship applicants are evaluated annually by each campus’s Scholarship Committee based on financial need or merit. Information about applying for scholarships granted through The Education Foundation is available in the Student Affairs and the Academic Affairs offices. Annual awards vary in amounts up to $5,000.

The Art Grant  (Charlotte, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Raleigh-Durham locations)

The Art Grant is an institutional aid award toward your tuition charges up to 20% for Bachelor’s degree programs and up to 15% for Associate’s degree programs. For every 12 credits earned, , while maintaining continuous enrollment, an Art Grant will be earned to be applied to tuition in the form of a tuition credit applied during the next successive academic quarter.

New and current students are eligible.  Total tuition charges may be impacted by course drops, course withdrawals, or failing grades. Students must read and acknowledge a Memorandum of Understanding regarding The Art Grant, which sets forth eligibility requirements and other conditions, before any grant is awarded. See your Student Financial Aid Office for details.

The Art Institutes Scholarship Competition  (Charlotte, Dallas and Raleigh-Durham locations)

High School seniors and international students graduating in 2016 may compete in The Art Institutes Scholarship Competition. Partial tuition scholarships will be awarded to those who demonstrate the ability and commitment to succeed in a creative career. The number of scholarships offered varies and every school may not participate. Please contact your school of interest for detailed scholarship information.

DECA Scholarship (Charlotte, Dallas and Raleigh-Durham locations)

DECA high school seniors graduating in 2017 are eligible to receive up to a $1,000 scholarship for participation in the organization. DECA students who are first place winners at the State Level competitions can receive up to $1,500 in addition to the member amount. DECA students who are first place winners at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) competitions can receive $5,000 in addition to the DECA State Scholarship and the member amount. For additional scholarship details, entry requirements and criteria, contact the local school of interest and visit https://www.artinstitutes.edu/dallas/tuition-aid/scholarships, https://www.artinstitutes.edu/charlotte/tuition-aid/scholarships, or https://www.artinstitutes.edu/raleigh-durham/tuition-aid/scholarships.    

National Art Honor Society Scholarship (Charlotte, Dallas and Raleigh-Durham locations)

High school seniors graduating in 2016 who also belong to the National Art Honor Society may apply for The Art Institutes National Honor Society Scholarship. Applicants must be a legal resident of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or Canada (excluding Quebec), and a member of the National Art Honor Society. Tuition scholarships for first, second, and third place awards may be applied at The Art Institutes school of recipient’s choice.  Three nationwide scholarships are available: First Place -$20,000, Second Place - $10,000 and Third Place - $5,000.  For scholarship details, deadlines, entry requirements and criteria, please contact your local school of interest.

Future Business Leaders of America National Scholarship Program  (Charlotte, Dallas and Raleigh-Durham locations)

High school seniors graduating in 2016 who are members of FBLA may apply for The Art Institutes Future Business Leaders of America Scholarship. Three nationwide $10,000 tuition scholarships are available to study at one of The Art Institutes. Each scholarship award recipient who has a 3.0 GPA during his/her first year may earn an additional $5,000 tuition scholarship. For scholarship details, deadlines, entry requirements and criteria, please contact your local school of interest.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (Charlotte, Dallas and Raleigh-Durham locations)

Four nationwide $10,000 scholarships will be awarded by The Art Institutes to the Scholastic National Award recipients on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must be high school seniors graduating in 2016. For additional information, please contact your local school of interest and www.artandwriting.org.

FCCLA Competitions (Charlotte, Dallas and Raleigh-Durham locations)

All FCCLA tuition scholarships are renewable for up to 4 years for a maximum first place scholarship of $12,000; maximum second place scholarship of $8,000; and a maximum third place scholarship of $4,000.

First place team of the National FCCLA Culinary Competition will be awarded a $3,000 tuition scholarship to any one of 40 U.S. schools comprising The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. A $2,000 tuition scholarship for second place team and a $1,000 tuition scholarship for a third place team will also be awarded.

First place award of the National FCCLA Fashion Design and Fashion Construction Competitions will be a $3,000 tuition scholarship to any one of The Art Institutes schools in the U.S. offering a Fashion program. A $2,000 tuition scholarship for a second place and a $1,000 tuition scholarship for third place will also be awarded in each competition.

First place team of the National FCCLA Hospitality Competition will be awarded a $3,000 tuition scholarship to any one of over 40 U.S. schools comprising The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. A $2,000 tuition scholarship for a second place team winners and a $1,000 tuition scholarship for third place team winners will also be awarded.

First place winners (either team or individual) of the national FCCLA Interior Design Competition will be awarded a $3,000 tuition scholarship to any one of The Art Institutes schools in the U.S. offering an Interior Design program. A $2,000 tuition scholarship for second place and a $1,000 tuition scholarship for third place will also be awarded (either team or individual). For additional information contact your local school of interest and visit www.fcclainc.org. Applicants for the scholarships noted above must be a senior graduating in the competing year and a legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.

Skills USA Championship (Charlotte, Dallas and Raleigh-Durham locations)

Secondary and postsecondary students who are members of SkillsUSA may compete in national championships in the following areas: Advertising Design, Culinary, and Photography. Six nationwide championship awards tuition scholarships are available in each category: First Place - $20,000, Second Place - $5,000, and Third Place - $2,500. In addition, twelve nationwide scholarships are available for 3-D Visualization & Animation, Web Design, and Television Production championship team awards. These tuition scholarships are as follows: First Place- $10,000, Second Place - $5,000, and Third Place - $2,500.  For details, contact your local school of interest and www.skillsusa.org.

Closed School Transfer Grant

(Not Available at The Art Institute of Fort Worth)

Recognizing that some students have been displaced due to school closures, the transfer grant is being offered to ease the burden of transferring to another institution and offset the cost of credits ineligible for transfer due to different curriculum requirements or campus transfer criteria.   

Any student meets all admission requirements, and who earned at least 12 credits between the dates of 8/1/2015 and 8/31/2016 at another accredited institution that has ceased enrolling students, is eligible to receive an institutional grant. The grant amount is up to $7,500 for bachelor degree programs, up to $3,500 for associate degree programs, and up to $2,000 for certificate/diploma programs with no grant exceeding the amount of unmet financial need*. Students must be enrolled, confirmed and actively attending by February 24, 2017 to be eligible for this grant.  The institutional grant will be disbursed per term, to enrolled students who meet the eligibility requirements.   

Eligible students earn the grant by being enrolled at least half-time and meeting the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. The grant will be disbursed within 10 calendar days of each term start date. Students can receive only one institutional transfer grant. Any credit balance resulting from the grant will not be refundable and is not redeemable for cash.  

Students transferring pursuant to an articulation agreement or from another South University or Art Institute campus  are not eligible for this grant. 

In the event that the student’s enrollment is terminated either by the student or the institution, including but not limited to withdrawal, cancel, academic termination, financial termination, or expulsion; or in the event that the student fails to fulfill the terms of the grant, only the portion of the grant awarded for terms completed and partial terms attempted up to the date of determination will be honored. Any portion of the grant scheduled to be award after the date of determination becomes null and void.

* Unmet Financial need is determined by the Program Balance of Cost with school sponsored housing after all applicable and eligible financial aid and other educational benefits have been applied, minus a student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution). Program Balance of Cost is determined by taking a full program’s tuition charges and fees minus all applicable and eligible financial aid and educational benefits, including the Art Grant.  

The Art Institutes Teach Out Transfer Grant

(Not Available at The Art Institute of Fort Worth)

Effective September 26, 2016, in an effort to help students attending The Art Institutes International Kansas City, The Art Institutes International Minnesota, The Art Institute of Salt Lake City, The Art Institute of St. Louis, The Art Institute of Tucson, The Art Institute of Wisconsin, and The Art Institute of York - Pennsylvania, which are currently in teach out, complete their educational program, the institution wishes to support students with options that will further their educational goals.

As class sizes become smaller, The Art Institutes realize that classroom and group learning interaction may be affected. Therefore, we are providing our students with the opportunity to transfer to a different Art Institute location which is currently enrolling students or transfer to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division.   This grant is designed to offset the burden of cost of credits that may not transfer for students who elect to transfer to another campus or online, as well as to offset the potential burden of attending a different location or learning via a different modality.

Any student who transfers from an eligible Art Institutes location currently  in teach out to an Art Institutes location currently enrolling students that is located within the United States or to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division, will be eligible to receive either one (1) or two (2) one-time grants of $5,000 per the terms established below.

To be eligible for this transfer grant, students must transfer from The Art Institutes International Kansas City, The Art Institutes International Minnesota, The Art Institute of Salt Lake City, The Art Institute of St. Louis, The Art Institute of Tucson, The Art Institute of Wisconsin, or The Art Institute of York - Pennsylvania to an Art Institutes location currently enrolling students within the United States, or to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh-Online Division. Students must be enrolled, confirmed, and actively attending campus or online by January 16, 2017.

Eligible students who transfer by January 16, 2017, with a scheduled and actual graduation date prior to December 31, 2017, will receive a one-time grant of $5,000. Eligible students will receive the disbursement of this grant after successfully earning 12 academic credits at the new Art Institute location or The Art Institute of Pittsburgh-Online Division.  Recipients must be in good academic standing as defined by the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, and be actively attending. 

Eligible students who transfer by January 16, 2017, with a scheduled and actual graduation date after December 31, 2017, will receive two (2) one-time grants of $5,000 each ($10,000 total). Eligible students will receive the disbursement of the first grant after successfully earning 12 academic credits at the new Art Institutes location or at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh-Online Division.  Recipients must be in good academic standing as defined by the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, and be enrolled and confirmed in the subsequent quarter. Eligible students will receive the disbursement of the second grant after completing a total of four (4) quarters of continuous enrollment at the new Art Institutes location or at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh-Online Division, earning at least 36 academic credits at the new Art Institutes location or The Art Institute of Pittsburgh-Online Division, and maintaining a minimum half-time load each quarter.   Recipients must be in good academic standing as defined by the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, and be actively enrolled and attending at least half-time. 

Credit balances resulting from the grant will not be refundable and are not redeemable for cash.  

Students transferring pursuant to an articulation agreement or from another EDMC school are not eligible for this grant.

In the event that the student’s enrollment is terminated either by the student or the institution, including but not limited to withdrawal, cancellation, academic  termination, financial termination, or expulsion; or in the event that the student fails to fulfill the terms of the grant, no portion of the grant will be honored.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Transfer Housing Grant

(Not available at The Art Institute of Fort Worth)

Effective September 26, 2016, in an effort to help students attending The Art Institutes International Kansas City, The Art Institutes International Minnesota,  The Art Institute of Salt Lake City, The Art Institute of St. Louis, The Art Institute of Tucson, The Art Institute of Wisconsin, and The Art Institute of York - Pennsylvania, which are currently in teach out, complete their educational program, the institution wishes to support students with options that will support their educational goals.

As class sizes become smaller, The Art Institutes realize that classroom and group learning interaction may be affected. Therefore, we are providing our students with the opportunity to transfer to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. This grant is designed to partially offset the burden to students who elect to transfer to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh from a different city and will live in school-sponsored housing. 

Any student transferring from The Art Institutes International Kansas City, The Art Institutes International Minnesota, The Art Institute of Salt Lake City, The Art Institute of St. Louis, The Art Institute of Tucson, The Art Institute of Wisconsin, or The Art Institute of York - Pennsylvania to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh by January 16, 2017, is eligible to receive the grant. The housing grant offers $2,652 per quarter at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh based on the current housing rates.  Students must live in school-sponsored housing to be eligible for this grant. Students may receive the housing grant for up to two (2) quarters. Housing is limited to the number of available rooms, and rooms may not be available to all students.  Ensure that space is available before you make a transfer decision.  All conditions of the student housing policy and student code of conduct will apply. 

To be eligible for this grant, students must be enrolled at least half-time and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress during the student’s enrollment. The grant will be disbursed on a quarterly basis for up to two (2) quarters or until graduation, whichever occurs first, provided that the student maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress and meets all other requirements of eligibility.

Credit balances resulting from the grant will not be refundable and are not redeemable for cash.  

Students transferring pursuant to an articulation agreement or from another EDMC school are not eligible for this grant. 

In the event that the student’s enrollment is terminated either by the student or the institution, including but not limited to withdrawal, cancellation, academic  termination, financial termination, expulsion, or removal from school sponsored housing; or in the event that the student fails to fulfill the terms of the grant, only the portion of the grant awarded for terms completed and partial terms attempted up to the date of determination will be honored. Any portion of the grant scheduled to be awarded after the date of determination becomes null and void

Culinary Scholarships – (Charlotte, Dallas, and Raleigh-Durham locations only)

National ProStart Invitational

High school seniors graduating in 2016 who are enrolled in a ProStart program are eligible for the National ProStart Invitational Culinary Competition Scholarship (15 available nationwide) and Management Competition Scholarship (15 available nationwide). Competition winners may receive partial tuition scholarships.

First-place award for the National ProStart Invitational Culinary Competition and Management Competition will be a non-renewable $10,000 tuition scholarship to any one of over 40 U.S. schools comprising The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. A non-renewable $7,500 tuition scholarship for second place and a non-renewable $5,000 tuition scholarship for third place will also be awarded. Applicants must be high school seniors graduating in 2016 and enrolled in a ProStart program to be eligible for the competition. For more information, visit the ProStart website at https://www.chooserestaurants.org/ProStart/Invitational.

ProStart (Advanced Placement Credits)

High school students graduating in 2016 who complete the ProStart program with a C average or above and obtain a Certificate of Achievement may receive Advanced Placement credit at any of over 40 U.S. schools of The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. Students may receive academic credit up to 12 credits for any of the following courses: Concepts and Theories, Fundamentals of Classical Techniques, Management, Supervision and Career Prep and Culinary Nutrition. To receive Advanced Placement credit, students must submit a ProStart Certificate of Achievement which will be reviewed by the local school’s Chef Director and Dean of Academic Affairs. The Fundamentals of Classical Techniques class requires the student to successfully pass the course’s Final Knife Skills and Final Practical Cooking Exam in order to obtain advanced placement credit.

ProStart State Scholarships

The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes is pleased to award first-place scholarships in the ProStart state-level Culinary Arts and Culinary Management Competitions in: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The first-place awards are a $3,000 scholarship, renewable for up to four years for a maximum of $12,000, to attend any of over 40 schools offering culinary programs across the U.S. Applicants must be high school seniors graduating in 2016. For details, contact your local school of interest.

C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program)

High school seniors graduating in 2016 that are enrolled in a C-CAP program may compete for a nationwide, full-tuition scholarship to be used for either a two- or four-year degree program at any one of over 40 U.S. schools comprising The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. Current tuition rates at chosen school will apply. Tuition scholarships are not redeemable for cash. The tuition scholarship covers academic tuition and may not be applied against fees, housing, living expenses, or program supplies and may not be transferred between affiliate schools. For details contact your local school of interest, speak to your C-CAP Director at your high school or visit www.ccapinc.org.

Jury Waiver and Agreement to Binding, Individual Arbitration

Student and South University irrevocably waive our rights to a trial by jury and agree instead that any and all disputes, no matter how described, pleaded or styled, between me and South University (including its parent and past and present affiliates, employees, agents, and lenders) or related to any aspect of my relationship with or any act or omission by South University (“Claim”) shall be resolved by individual  binding arbitration, conducted by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules and applicable Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes (“AAA Rules”) and in accordance with the terms of this Jury Waiver and Agreement to Binding, Individual Arbitration (“Arbitration Agreement”).  Student can obtain a copy of the AAA Rules at www.adr.org or by calling 1-800-778-7879.  This Arbitration Agreement, however, does not modify Student’s right, if any, to file a grievance with any state educational licensing agency or accrediting body.

1. Student is strongly encouraged to first attempt to resolve the Claim by using the General Student Complaint Procedure outlined in the Catalog.  
2. Neither party shall file or maintain any lawsuit in court against the other, and any suit filed in violation of this Arbitration Agreement shall be dismissed by the court in favor of arbitration conducted pursuant to this Arbitration Agreement.  The parties agree that the moving party shall be entitled to an award of costs and fees of compelling arbitration.
3. The arbitration shall take place before a single, neutral arbitrator in the federal judicial district in which Student resides, unless the parties agree otherwise. 
4. Student will be responsible for paying a portion of the AAA filing fee at the time his/her Claim is filed in an amount equal to $200 or the applicable filing fee of the court of general jurisdiction in the district/circuit near me, whichever fee is less.  The parties shall bear the expense of their own attorneys, experts and witnesses, unless the applicable law provides, and the arbitrator determines, otherwise.
5. Student agrees not to combine or consolidate any Claims with those of other students, such as in a class or mass action, or to have any Claims be arbitrated or litigated jointly or consolidated with any other person’s claims.  Further, the parties agree that the arbitrator shall have no authority to join or consolidate claims by more than one person.  I understand that I may opt out of this single-case provision by delivering via certified mail return receipt a written statement to that effect to the Vice President and Senior Counsel of South University /EDMC at 210 Sixth Avenue, Suite 3300 Pittsburgh, PA  15222 within 30 days of my first execution of an Enrollment Agreement.  
6. The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), including all its substantive and procedural provisions, and related federal decisional law shall govern this Arbitration Agreement to the fullest extent possible.  All determinations as to the scope, enforceability, validity and effect of this Arbitration Agreement shall be made by the arbitrator, and not by a court. However, any issue concerning the validity of paragraph 5 above must be decided by a court, and an arbitrator does not have authority to consider the validity of paragraph 5. If for any reason, paragraph 5 is found to be unenforceable, any putative class or mass action may only be heard in court on a non-jury basis and may not be arbitrated under this Agreement.
7. The arbitrator shall have the power to award any remedy that directly benefits the parties to this Arbitration Agreement (provided the remedy would be available from a court under the law where the Arbitration Agreement was executed) but not the power to award relief for the benefit of anyone not a party to this Arbitration Agreement.
8. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. 
9. Notwithstanding any provision in the Catalog or Enrollment Agreement, this Arbitration Agreement shall not be modified except by written agreement signed by both parties.  Any or all of the provisions set forth in this Arbitration Agreement may also be waived by the party against whom the Claim is asserted, but such waiver shall be in writing, physically signed (not merely electronically signed) by the party waiving, and specifically identify the provision or provisions being waived. Any such waiver shall not waive or affect any other portion of the Arbitration Agreement.
10. This Arbitration Agreement shall survive the termination of Student’s relationship with South University.
11. If any part(s) of this Arbitration Agreement are found to be invalid or unenforceable, then such specific part(s) shall be of no force and effect and shall be severed, but the remainder of the Arbitration Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

STUDENT UNDERSTANDS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT S/HE IS WAIVING HIS/HER RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL, TO ENGAGE IN DISCOVERY (EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THE AAA RULES), AND TO LITIGATE THE DISPUTE OR CLAIM IN ANY COURT. FURTHER, STUDENT UNDERSTANDS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT S/HE WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OR MEMBER OF ANY CLASS ACTION AGAINST SOUTH UNIVERSITY.