• Apply |
• Visit |
• Give |
• A-Z Index

• About the University
• Admission
• Academics
• Student Life
• Athletics
• Alumni

Tuition Assistance Toward Advanced Degree

TOPIC:	Tuition Assistance Toward Advanced Degree
EFFECTIVE DATE:	1 November 2000
UPDATED:	26 October 2009
Approved By:	B. Reissenweber, VP for Finance
Policy Number:	352

POLICY
Aurora University recognizes and supports the need for faculty and staff to purse advanced degrees at institutions other than Aurora University in specific instances. This need is most evident for faculty members who do not have terminal degrees in their field, and who must attain such a degree in order to remain employed under the guidelines of the Faculty Handbook of Aurora University. Faculty and staff may request tuition assistance towards advance degrees under the following guidelines.

FORMS

Tuition Assistance Form 
Advanced Degree Form

PROCEDURE

1. Eligibility: Full Time Regular Staff and Faculty members who have been at Aurora University for at least one year of full time service and who do not have an advanced or terminal degree in their field. Employees must maintain full time status and a satisfactory employment record.
2. Employees may apply for the benefit through the Office of the Provost. Information regarding the educational institution, planned course of study, degree sought and tuition cost must be presented prior to initiating the program.
   1. The Provost will determine if the program will be covered under the tuition program.
      
      • If the program is covered, the Provost will notify the employee of the maximum amount of tuition cost per semester that will be covered during the planned course of study.
        
      • Up to two classes per semester may be submitted under the tuition program.
      • The University may provide support for up to 5 continuous years of study.
        
      • Up to two (2) dissertation semesters will be included in the overall approval.
   2. Books, fees and other non-tuition costs are the responsibility of the employee.
   3. At the end of each semester, the employee will present a Bursar’s receipt and grades for the term to Human Resources. If the student successfully completed the course, 50% of the tuition cost for that course will be paid to the student, to the set maximums per semester.
   4. Upon receipt of transcript showing that a degree was rewarded, 20% of the outstanding balance of tuition, to the maximum per semester, will be awarded to the individual.
   5. In each of the three years following the receipt of transcript 10% of the tuition benefit will be received.
   6. Overall, if the employee remains with the University for three full years following the receipt of their degree, they will have received 100% of the allowable tuition costs for the degree program.
3. Taxation of Benefit: IRS Guidelines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The employee will be notified as to the anticipated tax status of benefits to be received. If coursework is deemed a taxable expense, it will be reimbursed via Payroll check.
4. This Program is funded on a year-to-year basis, with the level of funding determined by the university.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to Human Resources.