Deadline Extended: Military Families United - The Art Institutes Scholarship for Spouses of All Armed Forces Members

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Military Families United, a national coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families, veterans and patriotic Americans, has joined forces with The Art Institutes to provide educational support to the spouses of the men and women who wear the nation's uniform.  The Art Institutes will offer four scholarships at $25,000 each (equaling $100,000 total) per year to spouses of Armed Forces members, including active duty, active National Guard and Reserve, and surviving spouses of those killed in the line of duty post 9/11.  

Need-based recipients are eligible for a one-time only award in the form of a $25,000 tuition scholarship to study at one of The Art Institutes schools in the United States. Deadline for submission to the Military Families United – The Art Institutes Program Scholarship is extended until March 30, 2012. For more information on how to apply, eligibility requirements and complete rules, please visit militaryspouses.artinstitutes.edu.

This combined effort with Military Families United forges greater awareness of the service our men and women in uniform and their spouses unselfishly render for us all.

"We are excited about this new opportunity because The Art Institutes is a leader in delivering online and on ground educational opportunities to students and they believe, as we do, that providing high quality educational opportunities to members of our Armed Forces and their families ensures a better future for our country," said Robert Jackson, Executive Director of Military Families United.

The Art Institutes schools have a proud tradition and strong record of serving our nation's veterans and their families and, like Military Families United, The Art Institutes shares a deep gratitude to the men and women who keep America safe.

"We appreciate the service these men and women make to our country and we are dedicated to providing an education that will help them get started on the path to a creative career," said John Mazzoni, President of The Art Institutes. "As members of the military, they are helping to create a brighter tomorrow for the rest of us. At The Art Institutes, we want to help military personnel, veterans and spouses create tomorrow in the next phase of their careers."

The Art Institutes, with more than 45 schools throughout North America, is uniquely suited to serve the needs of members of our nation's military by offering a broad array of educational programs that provide active duty service members, reservists, veterans, military spouses and families the quality, flexibility, and convenience they seek through courses both on campus and online.

"Military students and their families need that flexibility because they are constantly moving from one duty station to another every two to three years or their deployment schedules put them out of reach of more 'traditional' universities," Jackson said.  "Our country witnessed the birth of its 'Greatest Generation' in large part due to the education opportunities afforded to military families after the end of World War II. By providing better educational opportunities to our current generation of veterans and their families, we ensure a better future for our country."  

To learn more about The Art Institutes schools visit www.artinstitutes.edu. 

Military Families United (MFU) (www.militaryfamiliesunited.org) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to "Honor the Fallen, Support Those Who Fight, and Serve Their Families."  The organization is a national coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families, veterans and others who share a deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform. Founded in 2005, MFU provides programs that offer families direct support.  

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of more than 45 educational institutions located throughout North America. The Art Institutes schools provide an important source for design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. Several institutions included in The Art Institutes system are campuses of South University. OH Registration # 04-01-1698B, AC0165, AC0080, Licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education, License No. 1287, 3427, 3110, 2581. See aiprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

SOURCE Military Families United