Closed School Information Page

This information is provided to assist students or graduates from the following Art Institutes locations.
• Miami International University of Art & Design 
• The Art Institute of Atlanta
• The Art Institute of Austin, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston 

• The Art Institute of Dallas, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design
• The Art Institute of Houston
• The Art Institute of San Antonio, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston  
• The Art Institute of Tampa, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design • The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta

Completing Your Education/ Transfer Opportunities 

We encourage you to complete your education at another school.  The Art Institutes are working with numerous partners to facilitate student transfers.  Transfer means you may be able to use the academic credits you have earned at The Art Institute toward the completion of a similar or different program of study at another school. If you are interested in completing your education and earning your degree, we ask that you return frequently to this website, 5i0.hitchedhike.com, which will be updated as transfer opportunities are identified.

NASFAA Next Steps Ed 

NASFAA will assist students whose college closed while they were enrolled, or shortly after they withdrew, through the use of an online ticketing portal that allows students to connect with a seasoned financial aid administrator from a NASFAA member institution.  Please visit http://nextstepsed.org

State Resources

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
http://gnpec.georgia.gov/news/2023-09-28/art-institute-atlanta-and-miami-international-university-art-and-design-closure 

Florida State Approving Agency for  Florida students receiving VA education benefits. Please see  http://floridavets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FDVA-Notification-for-Art-Institute-Students_10-4-23.pdf

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board http://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/training-materials/tx-locations-of-the-art-institutes/ 

Transcript requests  

The National Student Clearinghouse provides 24/7 online transcript ordering. There is a fee (varies) for each transcript request.  This is the only means to obtain a transcript for a closed Art Institute campus. Click here to request your transcript.

US Department of Education

If you need assistance from the Department of Education, please reach out to them at http://studentaid.gov/feedback-center. 

The United States Department of Education (USDOE) has created a webpage to assist students whose institution has closed. See the Has Your School Closed? webpage. 

Other specific USDOE links that may be useful are:

• US Department of Education Art Institutes Fact Sheet   
• Closed School Loan Discharges | Federal Student Aid
• Borrower Defense to Repayment | Federal Student Aid
• Unpaid Refund Discharge

1098–T – Questions and Important Information

1098T Forms will be mailed to students for 2023 on or before the IRS deadline of January 31, 2024.  Additional instructions will be updated here as forms become available.  For information on the Taxpayer Relief Act, as well as additional resources to assist you in understanding higher education tax incentives visit: http://heartland.ecsi.net/index.main.html#/access/FAQtaxDocuments#understanding1098TForm.

Transfer and Articulation Agreements

The Art Institutes have entered into formal transfer and/or articulation agreements with the following institutions that are ready to assist students complete their education.  Please note that some programs are offered in both an on campus and an online format,  which can provide opportunities to continue working toward your degree without relocating.    

Schools with agreements. in alphabetical order.

Academy of Art University 

• San Francisco, CA 
• Distance Education and on-campus instruction
  Website:  http://www.academyart.edu
• Programs:  Over 120 art and design degree options and your transfer credits can open the door to fulfilling your art and design career. Online and on campus programs; undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students
  • Application fee waived
  • Enrollment Fee waived  
• Academy of Art has various  housing options available for students who want to experience on-ground learning at their campus in San Francisco.  With numerous unique residence halls to choose from, there’s something for everyone. You will live in a welcoming and inclusive community of diverse artists and designers. Academy of Art dorms have free wi-fi, lounges, and communal areas with TVs, computers, and games. Some also have gyms, dining halls, communal kitchens, and pools.
• Resources for Ai Students:
  • Transfer Student Website: http://www.academyart.edu/art-institute-transfer-students/ . 
  • Application:  http://www.academyart.edu/apply-for-admission-ait/ . 
  • International Students:  Please contact the Academy of Art University’s International Admissions Manager, Najo Noaman, with any questions relating to continuing your studies in the United States. He can be reached at [email protected].
  • Veteran Students:  Please refer to the hybrid modality on The Art Institutes/Academy of Art University transfer page. To explore this and other exciting opportunities for our Military population contact John Belardo at [email protected] .
  • Housing:  To learn more about housing, please watch the housing video http://academyart.wistia.com/medias/655sifl3y8/ or call admissions.

Barry University 

• Miami Shores, Florida
• Website:  http://www.barry.edu
• Graphic Design (BFA), Photography (BFA, BA), Advertising & Public Relations (BA)
• Resources for Ai Students:
  • To schedule a transfer credit review, please visit:
    http://www.barry.edu/en/admissions/undergraduate/transfer-credit-review

Beulah Heights University

• Atlanta, Georgia 
• Website:  http://beulah.edu/
  
  

Brenau University

• Gainesville, Georgia 
• Website:  http://www.brenau.edu/
• Programs:  Fashion Merchandising (BA), Hospitality Management (BBA), Fashion Design (BFA), Interior Design (BFA), 
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
  • Brenau University has agreed to match the Art Institute course pricing.
  • Students must complete a minimum 25% of program hours in residence at Brenau University.
• Resources for Ai Students:
  •  To apply:  http://apply.brenau.edu/apply/
    
    

Florida International University, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

• Biscayne Bay Campus, North Miami, Florida
• Online and on ground programs
• Website:   http://hospitality.fiu.edu 
• Program: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
• Resources for Ai Students:
• o Contact:   Dawn Fagnan, Associate Director for College Recruiting.  
• Schedule an appointment.  

Georgia Highlands College

• Georgia locations in Floyd, Cartersville, Heritage Hall, Marietta, and Paulding and online
• Website:  http://www.highlands.edu
• Programs: Film Production (AA), Film Studies (AA), and Graphic Design (AA)
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Art Institute students will receive the in-state rate of $95 per credit hour for residents of Georgia and Alabama.
• An exception to Georgia Highlands College’s transfer policy will be made for Art Institute students and all transfer courses with a passing grade of D- or better will be transferred to GHC.
• In order to maximize transfer credits, Georgia Highlands College will work with each student to develop the optimum major path that will earn the student either an associate degree or bachelor’s degree upon successful completion of the degree requirements.
• Georgia Highlands College has requested a waiver from SACSCOC to waive our residency requirement (institutional credits required for matriculation) for Art Institute students who matriculate to GHC. Pending SACSCOC approval, there will be no residency requirement for Art Institute students through December 31, 2024.

Helms College

• Macon and Augusta, Georgia
• Website:  http://www.helms.edu/ 
• Programs:  Culinary Arts programs only, offers certificate, diploma, and associate’s degrees
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Entrance exams waived 

Life University 

• Marietta, Georgia
• Website:  http://www.life.edu/ 
• Program:  Interdisciplinary Studies (BS) 
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Application fee waived (use waiver code ART)
• Accept up to 135 quarter credits
• 10 hours of service learning is waived
• 20% tuition and quarterly fee scholarship through graduation (conditions apply)
• Resources for Ai Students:
• Contact Sawanda Spinks, Director of Undergraduate Enrollment, Life University at [email protected] or at 800-543-3202

 LIM College

• New York, New York
• Website
• Programs: 
• Ai Fashion Marketing & Management, BA to LIM program Business of Fashion, BBA
• Ai Fashion Design, BA to LIM Business of Fashion, BBA
• Distance Education and on-ground options
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• For the first academic year students are being taught out under this Agreement (the "Initial Year"), LIM COLLEGE agrees to offer The Art Institutes transfer students admitted to LIM COLLEGE in accordance with this Agreement a net tuition cost, after all eligible financial aid (including any applicable LIM COLLEGE scholarships & grants) that is no greater than the net tuition that they would have paid to The Art Institutes for that academic year.
• LIM COLLEGE will suspend its credit residency requirement for Ai students
• LIM COLLEGE will accept all earned credits from Ai students and those transfer credits awarded by Ai to students who entered Ai with advanced standing.

Miami Ad School 

• Atlanta, Georgia, Miami, Florida and New York, New York
• Website:  http://miamiadschool.com/
• Diploma/Portfolio Programs:  Digital Photography and Design 
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Application fee waived through December 2024.
• Students may request an exemption from the transfer of credit policy.  Requests granted on a case-by-case basis.

Morris Brown  University

• Atlanta, Georgia 
• Website:  http://morrisbrown.edu/ 
• Program:  Hospitality Management students only. 

New York Film Academy

• South Beach, Miami Florida, New York City, Online and other global campuses 
• Website: http://www.nyfa.edu   
• Undergraduate programs with transferability options:
• Ai Computer Animation (BFA) to NYFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects (BFA)
• Ai Digital Filmmaking & Video Production (BFA) to NYFA  Filmmaking (BFA)
• Ai Digital Photography(BFA) to NYFA Photography  (BFA)
• Ai Digital Photography or  Digital Image Management (Diploma) to NYFA  Photography (Certificate) 
• Ai Game Art & Design (BFA) to NYFA Game Design (BFA)
• Ai Media Arts & Animation (BFA) to NYFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects (BFA)
• Graduate Programs with transferability options  
• Ai Design and Media Management (MA)
• Ai Visual Arts (MFA)
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Application fee waived
• Letters of recommendation waived
• Creative portfolio requirement waived  
• Resources for Ai Students:
• Students from all programs are encouraged to inquire about transferability into NYFA programs.
• Website for Ai Transfers:  http://www.nyfa.edu/art-institutes-transfer-to-nyfa/ 

Piedmont University

• Demorest, Georgia. 
• Website:   http://www.piedmont.edu/academics/
• Programs:  A degree completion program developed for Art Institute students include a BA in Art, BFA in Art with various concentrations, and a BA in Film Production
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Application Fee waived 
• Enrollment Fee waived  
• Resources for Ai Students:
• Welcome Video from Piedmont Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: http://drive.google.com/file/d/1tMv5IWaHbNom1RGmnHHsgkbhkGfxJLiv/view?usp=sharing 
• Virtual transfer sessions offered.  For days and times, please contact:  [email protected] or [email protected]  

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design

• Learn from anywhere - online and campus programs available!
• Website: http://www.rmcad.edu/ 
• Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is available to help Art Institute students as they start making decisions on next steps!  This year, RMCAD is proud to celebrate 60 years as a college, 20 years on our historic campus, and 10+ years as a leader in online learning.  Exceptional student support services
• Bachelor’s degree programs with direct transferability. 

• Associate’s degree, certificate, or diploma programs
• Ai students are eligible to apply for a BFA at RMCAD.
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Affordable tuition + Ai transfer grant of $1,500 per semester to eligible students.
• Resources for Ai Students:
• Website for Ai students:   http://www.rmcad.edu/admissions/art-institute-transfers/ 
• Contact an admissions representative, call 1-800-888-2787 and select option 1, or visit the information page to complete a contact form.

SAE Institute  (Miami, Florida)

• Website:  http://usa.sae.edu/campuses/miami/  
• Program Audio Technology Program (ATP), Diploma program offered
• Ai courses are measured in quarter credits and the ATP program is clock hours.
• Students must complete at least 40% of their core and general education coursework at SAE. 

SAE Institute (Atlanta, Georgia)

• Website:  http://usa.sae.edu/campuses/atlanta/
• Programs:  Digital Film (AAS) and Audio (AAS and Diploma)
• Ai Atlanta courses are measured in quarter credits; SAE courses are measured in semester credits.  Therefore, two courses from Ai Atlanta are accepted for one course from SAE. Both courses from Ai must be successfully completed in order to transfer for the one course at SAE.
• Students must complete at least 40% of their core and general education coursework at SAE.

Schreiner  University 

• Kerryville, Texas
• Website:  http://schreiner.edu/ 
• Program:  Graphic Design (BFA)  
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• o Students who require less than 25% of their program may have the residency requirement waived, contact Dr. William Davis for additional information. 

St. Thomas University

• Miami, Florida
• Website:  http://www.stu.edu/
• Bachelor of Arts, Fashion Merchandising
• Ai students must apply by December 31, 2023 to receive the allowances listed below.
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• St. Thomas will waive admission application fees 
• Waive the residency requirement of 25% of the credit hours required for graduation  and 50% of the major credit hours required for graduation
• Waived experiential learning experience
• Waived the required Catholic Identity course
• St. Thomas University will, to the extent possible, match the institutional financial aid awards, if any, granted to the student by during the 2023-2024 academic year.
• St. Thomas University will award transfer credit for coursework completed at the Miami International University of Art and Design contingent upon the student achieving a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 and a passing grade for all courses. All 3 credit quarter classes will be awarded 2 semester credits, and all 4 quarter classes will be awarded 2.67 semester credits. Areas/sections may be considered complete if the credits are within one credit of the total credits required.

Tidewater Community College

• Norfolk, Virginia 
• Programs:  associate degrees similar to Ai programs in Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Graphic Design, Photographic Media Arts, Studio Arts, and others.  
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Approval to waive residency requirements for Ai students near graduation.
• Resources for Ai Students:
• To connect with a TCC staff and receive more information about the Ai transfer options, please complete the information form:  Art Institute Information  

Virginia Commonwealth University

• Richmond, Virginia
• Website:   http://vcu.edu 
• Program:  Fashion Design + Merchandising (BFA) Graphic Design (BFA), Interior Design (BFA), Photography + Film (BFA) 
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• VCU will accept up to 90 semester hours of transfer credits for courses from the Art Institute with passing grades of Cor better (see below for course grades accepted). We will work with students to explore degree options at VCU, which include visual art and design programs in the VCU School of the Arts and the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program.
• Resources for Ai Students:
• Transfer Center:  http://transfer.vcu.edu/transferring-credits/transfer-course-equivalents/ 
• Transfer Agreement:  http://transfer.vcu.edu/media/semss/transfer/2023-10-26-VCU_ArtInstitutes_TransferArticulationAgreement-signed_1.pdf 

Virginia Wesleyan University

• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Website: http://www.vwu.edu/ 
• Programs:  Media and Communication (BA) and Music Production (BA Online).

Wade College 

• Dallas, Texas
• Website: http://www.wadecollege.edu/ 
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Wade College will exercise flexibility in the review and acceptance of undergraduate credits completed at THE ART INSTITUTES with a grade of 'C' or better aimed at transferring the maximum number of credits that align with the College curriculum, up to, but not exceeding, 75% of program requirements. 
• Resources for Ai Students:
• Current Wade College specific transfer policies for all specific academic programs can be found at: http://www.wadecollege.edu/admissions/transfer_students

Additional schools have established protocols or specific resources for Ai students for the purposes of transfer, in lieu of a formal agreement.    Please note that some programs are offered in both an on campus and an online format,  which can provide opportunities to continue working toward your degree without relocating.    

Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design  
The Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD) provided the following background and transfer possibilities with several of its member institutions:

To see the list of schools that AICAD has provided, admissions contact names and emails, and the special resources those schools are offering to Ai students, please visit: 
http://www.aicad.org/wp-content/uploads/AICAD-Resources-for-Art-Institutes-students-seeking-transfer-10-17.jpg 


 Augusta University

• Augusta, GA
• Website:  http://www.augusta.edu/pamplin/art/
• Augusta University offers programs in Graphic Design, Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Printmaking and Photography
• Student Spotlight: Creating Your Path:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMOQxy3S1MQ 

Brazosport College

• Lake Jackson, Texas
• On campus and distance education  
• Resources for Ai Students:
• http://brazosport.edu/choose/ includes Application and information request
• Transfer information: http://brazosport.jotform.com/232775880433059 

Dallas College 

• Dallas, Texas (multiple campuses)
• Website: http://www.dallascollege.edu/pages/default.aspx 
• Website for Ai Students: http://www.dallascollege.edu/admissions/pages/ai.aspx 

Houston Community College 

• Houston, Texas (multiple campuses)
• Website:  http://www.hccs.edu/ 
• On campus and distance education options
• Degrees and certificates in a range of programs, including Fashion Design and Merchandising, Interior Design, Studio Art, Digital Communication, Filmmaking, Culinary Arts, Digital Gaming and Simulation.
• Website for Ai Students:  http://www.hccs.edu/campaigns/art-institutes-are-closing-heres-how-hcc-can-help/ 

KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts

• Dallas, Texas
• Website:  http://kdstudio.com/ 
• AAA in Motion Picture Production program.
• Website for Ai Students:  http://kdstudio.com/art-institute-program-alternatives/

LaGrange College

• LaGrange, GA
• Website:  http://www.lagrange.edu/index.html 
• On campus instruction; credit earned from online courses may be accepted, however, all LaGrange instruction takes place in person. 
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• No Application Fee or Enrollment Fee 
• Resources for Ai Students:
• Transfer Information Sessions:  Contact Austin Wieland ([email protected]) 
• Contact Austin Wieland ([email protected]) for virtual transfer information sessions. Individual appointments with the Art and Design Faculty can be scheduled. 

Lone Star 

• Houston, Texas and surrounding areas
• Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees 
• Website for Ai Students: http://www.lonestar.edu/art-institute-transfers

MassArt - Massachusetts College of Art & Design

• Boston, MA
• Website:  http://massart.edu/artinstitutes 
• Allowances extended to Art Institute Students 
• Ai applicants will be granted waivers for the application fee and the letters of recommendation.
• Students are required to earn a minimum of 60 credits at MassArt in order to earn a BFA degree.
• E-mail [email protected]

 
Nossi College of Art & Design

• Nashville, Tennessee
• Website for Ai Students:  http://nossi.edu/ai-transfers/

Sessions College

• Tempe, Arizona
• Website for Ai students:  http://www.sessions.edu/campus-news/transfer-credit-options-for-displaced-art-institute-students/

Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)

• Georgia, 22 colleges, 88 campuses, 600+ programs
• Website for Ai Students:  http://aia.tcsg.edu/

Tweed Recording Audio Production School

• Athens, GA
• Audio Production 
• Website: www.tweedrecording.com  Contact the school through the Ai student pop-up on the website or email Admissions directly at [email protected] 
• Scholarships available for eligible Art Institute students.

University of St. Thomas Houston

• Website for Ai Students:   http://www.stthom.edu/Admissions/Art-Institute.aqf?Aquifer_Source_URL=%2FArtInstitute&PNF_Check=1 

Closed Locations