Moore College of Art & Design is proud to participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program, a financial aid opportunity dedicated to supporting veterans and students whose parents served in the military. As a Yellow Ribbon Program school, Moore provides financial assistance to veterans and dependents of veterans who qualify for 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill® education benefits.
For Sydney Temples ’27, a sophomore in Moore’s Graphic Design program, the Yellow Ribbon Program is an essential part of her journey in choosing Moore. Temples was first drawn to Moore after touring the Graphic Design department during an Accepted Students Day event in 2023. She originally wanted to pursue a degree in Photography, but after touring Moore’s Graphic Design department, she was inspired to switch majors.
“The Graphic Design department was so cool. I looked at all the work on the walls and knew graphic design was what I wanted to do,” Temples said.
Moore became Temples’ top choice when she learned she qualified for financial benefits through the Yellow Ribbon Program and her dad’s service in the U.S. Air Force. She is the first person in her family to attend college using Yellow Ribbon Program benefits.
“My dad and I found out about it when we called Moore’s Financial Aid department. We told them I was interested in going to Moore, but he wanted to make sure I had Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits,” she said. “The Financial Aid director told us that I was eligible for the program, and they gave me the best financial opportunity.”
The Yellow Ribbon Program made it possible for Temples to attend Moore, covering a large portion of her expenses.
“It’s been very helpful because it covers almost my entire tuition,” she said. “It’s a big stress that’s been relieved.”
Temples says she’s grateful for the opportunities that Moore provides. As a Resident Assistant, Temples also receives discounted room and board fees, allowing her to focus on her future. For Temples, the best part about being a Resident Assistant is helping her peers.
"I really like helping people and I want them to be as comfortable as possible. As someone who moved every three to four years, I know that moving away from home can be really scary and uncomfortable, so I really try to make sure everyone feels good here."
Temples is also a work study student in the President's Office at Moore, a positions she views as an invaluable learning opportunity.
"The position has really helped me develop professional skills for the future like organization, speaking in a professional manner, confidentiality, how to gather information and how to dress professionally," she said.
Overall, Temples is grateful for the close-knit community she's building thanks to the College’s intentionally small size.
“I love all of it. I’ve met a lot of really cool people here that I don’t think I would have met at a bigger college,” she said. “The faculty members make time to help you acclimate and learn.”
For prospective students, Moore’s Financial Aid department helps students review options for financial assistance and review whether they qualify for Yellow Ribbon benefits.
To learn about eligibility criteria for the Yellow Ribbon Program, reach out to Grace Taylor, VA School Certifying Official at Moore College of Art & Design, by calling (215) 965-4042 or sending an email to gtaylor@moore.edu.
