Employee Tuition Assistance Policy
Sponsor: |
Office of Administration |
|---|---|
Contact: |
Vice President for Administration and Assistant Vice President for Administration |
Category: |
Business and Procurement |
Number: |
400.005 |
Effective Date: |
2012/01/13 |
Implementation History: |
New |
Keywords: |
Employee, Tuition Assistance |
Background Information: |
Replaces policies “03-12 Employee Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement Programs” and “09-04 Tuition Assistance Program”. |
Purpose
To establish policy related for a tuition assistance program
Definitions
Statements
Empire State College supports the efforts of individual employees to improve their job-related skills and knowledge, and to acquire the education necessary to enhance their skills or prepare for career-related promotional opportunities. The Employee Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement Program represents one element of the college’s investment in its workforce.
The following is information regarding several tuition assistance and tuition reimbursement programs available to college employees, including Research Foundation employees, to assist in the continuation of their education. Information on these programs can be obtained by contacting those offices noted with each of the program descriptions or the appropriate website listed. Information on available financial aid can be obtained by contacting the Student Financial Services office at the Coordinating Center.
SUNY Employee Tuition Programs
SUNY Employee Tuition Assistance Program
Assistance through state appropriation is provided for part or all of the tuition at a state-operated campus (payment of fees is not covered through this program). A specified allocation is provided each fiscal year to the college for this program. The waiver is prorated based upon the amount of allocation available and the applications received per term. Application is made through submission of form B-140W, available from the office of the vice president for administration or on the human resources website.
SUNY Employee Tuition Reimbursement Program:
A reimbursement of tuition paid by the employee to other than a state-operated campus (e.g., community colleges, private colleges and universities). Reimbursement is based upon the applicable SUNY undergraduate or graduate rate for New York state residents, up to a maximum of 4 credits per course. Funding is available from a limited central allocation established each fiscal year for this purpose. Application is made through submission of form B-140R, available from the office of the vice president for administration or on the human resources website.
Eligibility requirements for the SUNY Employee Tuition Assistance Program and the SUNY Employee Tuition Reimbursement Program listed above are:
- employee must be employed by the college in a permanent position for at least six months, must be working half-time or more and must be an employee at course completion
- part-time (50 percent or more) employee’s tuition assistance will be pro-rated to the full-time rate
- union-sponsored funds must be used prior to applying for SUNY employee tuition assistance/reimbursement, as well as other federal and state tuition grant programs
- proof of satisfactory completion of course must be provided in order to be eligible for future assistance
- employees must apply for tuition assistance for the current term during the announced application acceptance period; reimbursements for previous terms will not be considered.
There is a maximum allowance of three courses per year (up to 4 credits per course), one course per term, and a maximum of 12 credits per fiscal year, and this may be prorated based upon funding availability.
- Governor’s Office of Employee Relations
Management/Confidential Employees
- employee is required to use GOER (Governor’s Office of Employee Relations) tuition reimbursement program which covers up to $2,000 per year prior to applying for the SUNY Employee Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement Program. Complete program guidelines and applications are available at https://goer.ny.gov/managementconfidential-mc-training-programs
- after using GOER, the employee is eligible for tuition assistance/reimbursement through the SUNY Employee Tuition Program (B140) up to a maximum of three courses per year (4 credits or less per course), one course per term, and a maximum of 12 credits per year.
- Union Sponsored Tuition Programs
Professional Service Employees (UUP Represented)
- employee is required to use UUP tuition waiver prior to applying for the SUNY Employee Tuition Program (B140). This is a “space available” tuition assistance program and generally covers one course per semester up to three courses per year. Contact human resources for additional information and an application or go to UUP Tuition Waiver (PDF 56kB).
- after using the UUP tuition waiver (one waiver per term), the employee is eligible for tuition assistance/reimbursement through the SUNY Employee Tuition Program (B140), as previously noted.
-
Classified Service Employees (CSEA Represented)
- employee is required to use CSEA tuition vouchers (2 per year) prior to applying for the SUNY Employee Tuition Program (B140). The application for this voucher and other information is at https://nyscseapartnership.org/tuition-vouchers-and-reimbursements
- after using CSEA tuition vouchers, the employee is eligible for tuition assistance/reimbursement through the SUNY Employee Tuition Program (B140), as previously noted.
- Miscellaneous Fees
Books and other fees may be eligible for separate reimbursement through the college’s professional and support staff development funds. The links to these applications are at http://www.esc.edu/escnet under “Other.”
Applicable Legislation and Regulations
Related References, Policies, Procedures, Forms and Appendices
Form B-140W, available from the office of the Vice President for Administration or on the Human Resources website (log in, employees only).