Human Resources

C.3 Tuition Reimbursement

Policy No. C. 3.00

Date of Issue 7/2/2014

The university provides tuition reimbursement for approved job-related courses taken by staff members who have completed one year of full-time, benefits-eligible employment with the university.

3.01	Eligibility All regular, full-time non-academic employees are eligible to apply for tuition reimbursement upon completion of one year of employment with the university. Spouses, domestic and civil union partners, and minor dependents are not eligible to participate. In addition, the employee must satisfy each of the following requirements: Coursework must be approved by the employee’s supervisor; The employee must be enrolled in a program at an accredited post-secondary institution or trade school; The course taken must relate to the employee’s employment at the university as determined by his or her immediate supervisor; and The maximum number of credit hours to which this policy applies is nine credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters and six credit hours in the Summer semester. This is inclusive of any additional university coursework taken at the same time under the tuition remission program.
3.02	Qualification Guidelines Tuition reimbursement is available under this policy for course work which will directly enhance staff members’ performance in their job classification or which will directly assist them in meeting the qualifications for another job at the university. Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs must be directly relevant to the employee’s job. Course work (including an individual course and certificate- and degree-related courses) must be pursued for credit or certificate at a graduate or undergraduate institution or trade school accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body. Preference will be given for courses taken at a community college or its equivalent. Course work under this policy must meet at least one of the following criteria: Improves or maintains skills required to perform job assignments; Necessary to complete a degree relevant to the business of the university; Part of an approved administrative, technical, professional, or managerial certificate program; or Qualifies the employee to compete for positions within the university that the employee may reasonably obtain through promotion. All applications for tuition reimbursement must be approved prior to course enrollment or registration. In making application, a staff member must state how the education or training course will enhance his or her job skills or career at the university. Applications must be approved by the employee’s immediate supervisor and then submitted to Human Resources for final approval. Employees are expected to attend courses outside of regular working hours.
3.03	Reimbursement Amounts Tuition reimbursement is subject to the availability of funds on a first-come, first-received basis calculated by the date a completed application is received by Human Resources. The maximum amount of tuition reimbursement an employee may receive is $2,000 per academic year. 100% of undergraduate or 50% of graduate tuition for the course will be paid if the employee earns a grade of A or B. No reimbursement will be paid for grades below B. If the course is only offered on a pass/fail basis, a pass grade is required. Reimbursements only apply to tuition. Books and miscellaneous fees are not included. Within 30 days after completion of the course, a copy of the tuition bill for the course and a copy of the grade report must be submitted to Human Resources, which will then process the reimbursement in accordance herewith.
3.04	Repayment Obligation Employees who receive tuition reimbursement funds are expected to remain employed at least one year following the completion of the course. The university reserves the right to require an employee to reimburse the university for all monies received under the Tuition Reimbursement program in the following cases: The employee resigns within one year of completion of the course; or The employee is terminated for any reason except reduction in force.