Closure of The Art Institute of San Antonio Shakes Students and Communities
The academic world has been rocked by the recent announcement of the permanent closure of several branches of The Art Institutes, a renowned institution with a rich history of nurturing creativity and artistic talent. Effective September 30, 2023, a notice posted on their official website confirmed the disheartening news, leaving students, faculty, and alumni in shock.
This closure has far-reaching implications for the affected Art Institutes locations, including the branch in San Antonio, which was a part of The Art Institute of Houston. The affected institutions include:
– 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
Transcripts and Academic Records
In a bid to assist students and graduates affected by the closure, The Art Institutes has initiated the process of sending five official copies of transcripts to all current students. These transcripts will be dispatched at no cost to the students on or after October 1, 2023. However, it’s essential to note that students without current mailing addresses on file may experience delays in receiving their transcripts.
For students who require additional copies of their transcripts or who wish to request them at a later date, The National Student Clearinghouse is offering 24/7 online transcript ordering services. Please be aware that there is a fee associated with this service.
Completing Education and Transfer Opportunities
The Art Institutes strongly encourage affected students to consider continuing their education at another institution. They are actively collaborating with numerous partner institutions to facilitate the transfer of academic credits earned at The Art Institute to similar or different programs of study at these partner schools. A list of these partner institutions can be found on The Art Institutes’ website.
Diplomas and Tax Information
For those in need of replacement diplomas, these can be obtained through Parchment, which is the only means by which to obtain a diploma from a closed Art Institute campus.
Students who received 1098-T Forms from The Art Institutes should note that these were mailed to eligible students at the time of the closure. Duplicate forms can be printed via the Heartland ECSI website, and any inquiries can be directed to Heartland ECSI.
Department of Education and Veterans Affairs
Students seeking assistance from the Department of Education can reach out to them at their dedicated feedback center. The U.S. Department of Education has created resources and webpages to assist students affected by institutional closures, providing information on topics such as loan discharges and borrower defense to repayment.
For veterans impacted by the closure, there may be options for partial or full restoration of education benefits. Detailed information can be found on the Restoration of Benefits After School Closure webpage for GI Bill Benefits.
International Students
International students affected by the closure can determine how it impacts their visa status and remaining in the U.S. by contacting the SEVP Response Center via email or phone.
This announcement marks the end of an era for The Art Institutes and the communities they have served for years. The impact of these closures will undoubtedly be deeply felt by students, faculty, and alumni, who will now embark on a new chapter in their educational journeys.
