Educational Assistance Program
Faculty and Staff Benefits--Educational Assistance Program
Policy
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Document Number: HR--131 Revision #: 1.0
Document Owner: Date Last Updated: 01/27/2017
Primary Author: Director of Human Resources Status: Approved
Date Originally Created: 01/17/2012
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General Description
Description: Information about educational assistance programs relative to HR policy.
Purpose: Delineation of policy.
Scope: All faculty, staff, and administrators
Responsibility: Human Resources
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Requirements
Relevant Knowledge: In order to comply with this policy you should know:
Standard company policies
Standards of good practice
Current University policy
Terms and Definitions: Additional training
Corrective Action
Loss of privilege, general
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Policy Provisions
1. Educational Assistance Program
Cumberland University provides full-time employees and eligible dependents the opportunity to participate in the CU Educational Assistance Program. The program allows full-time employees, after one year of continuous service, to be enrolled in and attending two CU undergraduate courses – (up to 7 credit hours), or two (2) CU graduate courses – (up to 7 credit hours) per semester. The program also allows the employees' legal spouses and eligible dependents to receive a reduction in tuition cost after the employee has been employed with the University for one year. Part time employees of Cumberland University, their legal spouse and/or eligible dependents are not eligible for tuition remission. The Director of Human Resources awards Tuition Remissions and Reductions on a semester basis. Previous receipt of a tuition remission or reduction in itself does not warrant automatic renewal.
1.1 Employee Tuition Remission
Undergraduate Studies: Per semester, eligible employees can be enrolled in and attending two undergraduate courses (up to 7 credit hours). A 100% tuition remission will be given after any Federal and State Grants are applied to the account. State and federal grant monies received are first applied toward tuition cost with the remaining tuition cost waived. Any remaining cost, all fees, and book costs are the responsibility of the employee. Employees are required to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and other necessary paperwork in the Admissions and Financial Aid Offices.
Graduate Studies: Per semester, eligible employees can be enrolled in and attending two graduate courses (up to 7 credit hours). A 100% tuition remission will be given after any Federal and State Grants are applied to the account. State and federal grant monies received are first applied toward tuition cost with the remaining tuition cost waived. Any remaining cost, all fees, and book costs are the responsibility of the employee. Employees are required to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and other necessary paperwork in the Admission and Financial Aid Offices.
Guidelines:
1. The full-time employee receiving tuition remission must maintain satisfactory academic progress, as stated in the University catalog.
2. The number of hours that may be taken during working hours will be limited to 1 – 1 ½ hours per day. Time away from the workstation must be coordinated with the employee's supervisor and the employees will be expected to make up the time that they are absence from the workstation for class participation.
3. Prior approval of his/her immediate supervisor must be obtained before scheduling a class.
Applying for Tuition Remission:
1. The employee should apply for and be granted admission into Cumberland University. The application fee will be the responsibility of the employee.
2. Each semester, complete all necessary paperwork in the Admissions and Financial Aid Office.
3. Bring the billing statement and schedule to the employee’s Department Supervisor who completes the tuition waiver on line.
4. Pay any balance that is the employee's responsible cost.
1.2 Dependent Tuition Reduction
To be eligible to participate in the Cumberland University Educational Assistance Program, a dependent must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Be a legal spouse or eligible dependent of a full-time faculty or staff employee that has at least one year of continuous service prior to enrolling in the first course. Eligible dependents are unmarried children
Undergraduate Studies: An eligible employee's legal spouse's and/or eligible dependent's tuition is discounted according to the following scale for undergraduate classes:
• 20% discount after one year of continuous service
• 40% discount after two years of continuous service
• 60% discount after three years of continuous service
• 80% discount after four years of continuous service
• 100% discount after five years of continuous service
A tuition reduction will be given after any Federal and State Grants are applied to the account. State and federal grant monies received are first applied toward tuition cost with the remaining tuition cost waived. Any remaining cost, all fees, and book costs are the responsibility of the students. Legal spouses and eligible dependents are required to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and other necessary paperwork in the Admissions and Financial Aid Offices.
Employees with less than the required five years of service can request 100% tuition remission. In order for the request to be granted, the employee must have the approval of his/her supervisor, and the employee must be willing to agree to a written contract agreeing to continue employment for at least five years. If the employee is terminated due to downsizing, or reorganization the tuition pay back contract will be void. If the employee is terminated due to performance issues or an early resignation the agreement will be enforced.
Graduate Studies: An eligible employee's legal spouse's or domestic partner's tuition is discounted according to the following scale for graduate classes:
• 50% discount after one year of continuous service
• 75% discount after two years of continuous service
• 100% discount after three years of continuous service
A tuition reduction will be given after any Federal and State Grants are applied to the account. State and federal grant monies received are first applied toward tuition cost with the remaining tuition cost waived. Any remaining cost, all fees, and book costs are the responsibility of the student. Legal spouses or qualified domestic partners are required to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and other necessary paperwork in the Admissions and Financial Aid Offices. Dependent children are not eligible to receive tuition reduction for graduate studies.
Applying for Tuition Reduction
2. The legal spouse and/or eligible dependent should apply for and be granted admission into Cumberland University. The application fee will be the responsibility of the legal spouse and/or eligible dependent.
3. Each semester, the student (legal spouse and/or eligible dependent) must complete all necessary paperwork, including the FAFSA, in the Admissions and Financial Aid Office.
4. Bring the billing statement and schedule to the employee’s Department Supervisor who completes the tuition waiver on line.
5. The employee must ensure that any balance that is the legal spouse and/or eligible dependent's responsible cost is paid.
6. The legal spouse and/or eligible dependent receiving tuition remission or tuition reduction must maintain satisfactory academic progress, as stated in the University catalog.
The contents of the policy and procedures above supersede all other printed documents, previous awarded remission, and oral information concerning the Educational Assistance Program/Tuition Remission of Cumberland University.
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Performance Evaluation
Performance Metrics: Compliance with standard policy and procedure
Consequences: Further training
Loss of privileges
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Subject Experts
The following may be consulted for additional information.
Director of Human Resources
VP of Business and Finance