FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SESSIONS ONLINE (SM) UNVEILS $1 MILLION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR ARMED SERVICES VETERANS

Innovative Program Helps Physically and Mentally Wounded Servicemen and Women, Spouses Build New Careers in Graphic and Web Design.

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 5, 2008 – Sessions Online Schools of Art and Design, the quality leader in online education for creative professionals around the world, today announced the $1 million Louis H. Schilt Memorial Scholarship program to help physically and mentally injured servicemen and women or their spouses build new careers in the graphic and Web design fields.  Sessions has joined forces with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families, to champion the program and build awareness for the scholarship among the tens of thousands of enlisted personnel and veterans in its network.

Named for the late Louis H. Schilt, a decorated World War II Marine veteran who was blinded in battle but who rebuilt his life and counseled numerous severely injured veterans during the course of his life, the scholarship provides full funding for physically or mentally wounded U.S. service members or their spouses with enrollment in a Sessions Graphic Design or Web Design certificate program. 

The scholarship covers full tuition for the renowned, award-winning Sessions Graphic Design or Web Design Foundation I programs.  The scholarship includes state-of-the-art Apple iMac computers and professional-level graphic and Web design software.

Joining Forces with IAVA
Sessions is offering the scholarship in response to the staggering number of wounded military professionals who have been cut off from higher education as a result of inadequate benefits coupled with spiraling education costs.

The many thousands of wounded veterans – as well as those that continue to serve the armed forces – receive educational benefits that pay for only a fraction of a traditional college education.  Sessions’ mission is to give qualified servicemen and women and their spouses an opportunity to forge ahead with an exciting new career that is both intellectually challenging and financially rewarding. 

To roll the program out to qualified veterans and their families, Sessions has partnered with IAVA, an organization that has distinguished itself as a tireless campaigner that actively lobbies to advance healthcare and educational opportunities for veterans.  IAVA will help broaden awareness of the program among its more than 95,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. 

"Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is thrilled to work with Sessions to help wounded veterans continue their educations.  IAVA looks forward to increasing awareness about the generous Louis H. Schilt Memorial Scholarship among our membership nationwide," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.  "More than 30,000 service members have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan and IAVA is grateful to Sessions for recognizing their sacrifice in such a meaningful way."

"There is no more challenging a journey than that of the severely injured service person who must create an entirely new life, physically, emotionally and professionally," said Louis J. Schilt, Sessions’ Executive Vice President and Board Member.  "A career in design is vibrant and exciting, as well as financially rewarding.  Because Sessions offers an online learning environment that is both nurturing and mentoring, we offer an ideal educational experience that will help these men and women heal and flourish."

A Chance at a New Beginning
Sessions launched the Louis H. Schilt Memorial Scholarship program at a time when educational opportunities for many wounded veterans are increasingly limited. 

Candidates must apply for the scholarship by submitting a creative essay that will be judged by the scholarship awards committee.  Eligible candidates must submit copies of disability documentation, be aged 18 years or older and possess a high school diploma, GED or college degree.  Sessions will initially accept 25 entrants to the program, with classes starting September 30th, 2008, and then every six months for three years. 

All applicants must complete the online application form, provide the necessary disability documentation and write and submit an essay on the topic, "Creative Inspirations in My Life." All documentation, essays and transcripts must be received on or before July 31st, 2008.  To learn more about the program or to apply, please visit: http://www.sessions.edu/scholarship/military/index.asp

About Sessions Online sm Schools of Art & Design

Sessions Online ^SM has since 1997 provided an unparalleled learning experience for creative professionals around the world.  Coupling rigorous academic programs with a unique, "one-to-one" teaching/mentoring approach and groundbreaking student social and networking opportunities, Sessions Online sm School of Design, School of Game Art, and School of Fine Arts foster unlimited creative expression within the highly accessible and flexible environment of a human-centric fully online school. 

Sessions Online sm Schools of Art & Design is accredited by both the Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools and the Distance Education Training Council.  Sessions Online sm is also licensed by the New York State Department of Education. To learn more Sessions Online sm, visit www.sessions.edu/portal. 

About Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A nonprofit and non-partisan organization, IAVA represents more than 95,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states.

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Rob Halpin
Version 2.0 Communications
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