The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute is approved for the Non-College Degree Professional Acting Program under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for benefit use. At the Los Angeles campus, both the One-Year and Two-Year Professional Acting Conservatory programs are approved. At the New York campus, the Two-Year Professional Acting Conservatory is approved.
Veteran applicants must complete the same application process as all other Conservatory applicants. Veterans must also submit:
DD-214 and/or Certificate of Eligibility
Transcripts from ALL previous study (Unofficial transcripts are sufficient)
This includes all training after high school (college, university, vocational school)
Q: What programs are approved for the Post 9/11 GI Bill funding?
A: In New York, only the Two-Year Conservatory is approved. In Los Angeles, the One-Year Conservatory and Two-Year Conservatory are approved. If you don’t have 18 months of funding you may still begin and then locate other funding to complete the program.
Q: Will the VA cover all tuition and fees?
A: If you are entitled to 100% benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the VA will cover all tuition and fees (except for the application fee). If enrolled in the Two-Year Conservatory, students may need to take a term off to avoid exceeding the yearly tuition cap. For current rates and caps, please visit here
Can I begin classes before VA payment is received?
A student using Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits (CH31) or Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (CH33) will be allowed to enroll in and attend courses and access campus facilities while the campus awaits payment for tuition and fees from the VA. The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, will not impose any penalty, charge late fees or require an eligible student to borrow additional funds to cover tuition or fees while awaiting receipt of funds from the VA. This waiting period begins the date the student provides appropriate documentation and continues either until funds are received from the VA or until 90 days after the School Certifying Official has certified the student’s enrollment for tuition and fees.
Q: Do I need to submit transcripts from previous training?
A: Yes, applicants who will use VA benefits must submit transcripts (unofficial are accepted) from ALL previous training. This is a VA requirement. Be sure to list all previous training on your application.
Spring 2021: April 5-June 253/3/21 Update
The Lee Strasberg Institute announces that Spring 2021 term classes will begin with fully online instruction, per State & Local guidance. Los Angeles will offer limited in-person/hybrid classes for Spring once permitted.
Click here for Spring schedule in New York City. | Click here for the Spring schedule for Los Angeles.
The Institute is also offering new short-term online only classes. See Online Acting
Please note that the State of California color-coded reopening system does not permit any in-person instruction until the County is at least in the red tier for at least 2 weeks (25% capacity). Los Angeles remains in purple.