Frequently Asked Questions:
Education Assistance Program: Tuition Benefit for Myself or Spouse/Partner
1. Am I eligible for the Vanderbilt tuition benefit for myself and/or my spouse/partner?
You are eligible for this benefit if:
- You have completed three months of continuous full-time employment in a regular or term position here at Vanderbilt. The completion of those three months must be accomplished prior to your course registration.
- You are not currently on a unpaid leave of absence, or participating in Performance Improvement Counseling.
2. How many terms can I receive the benefit for myself or my spouse/partner?
You, or your spouse/partner can receive the benefit for one course per semester, with a limit of three courses per academic year. The "academic year" is the period beginning with the Fall semester through the Summer sessions.
3. Are there other limitations to the benefit?
- The benefit is limited for spouses/partners to only classes attended here at Vanderbilt.
- When applying to attend classes at Vanderbilt, faculty, staff members and spouse/partners are subject to the same competitive admission standards as other applicants to Vanderbilt.
4. As a faculty or staff member, where can I attend classes, and how do I know if the college or university I am attending is approved for the benefit?
If the college or university you attend is accredited and offers academic courses providing college credit, it is most likely eligible. If you have a concern about the eligibility of the school you are attending, call the Tuition Team in Human Resources at 322-4088. Otherwise, when you submit your request for the benefit, a review will be made and you will be contacted if the school does not meet the necessary requirements.
5. What classes are eligible for this benefit?
For you as a faculty or staff member, any classes offered for academic credit as part of an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree is eligible for the benefit. You are eligible for reimbursement for one 3 hour class per term (or one 4 hour class if a lab is required for that class.)
For your spouse/partner, classes taken here at Vanderbilt that are not leading to their undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate degree is eligible for the benefit.
6. Can a class be audited at Vanderbilt for no college credit?
You, or your spouse/partner can audit one class per semester at Vanderbilt for no college credit, with the written permission of the class instructor and your supervisor.
7. How do I request the Vanderbilt tuition benefit for myself or my spouse/partner?
Simply complete a Tuition Benefit for Myself or My Spouse/Partner form for each term you wish to receive the benefit. Ideally, you should submit the form when you or your spouse/partner is registering for classes.
If you are attending a college or university other than Vanderbilt, you will also need to submit a Request for Reimbursement of Tuition Expenses form after you have completed the course. At that time, you must also include:
- An original invoice from the school which outlines tuition expenses separate from other fees you may be required to pay.
- An original grade report from the school which indicates your successful completion (a passing grade of "C" or above) of the course.
8. Will the Vanderbilt benefit pay for costs or fees other than tuition?
The benefit contributes only toward the cost of tuition. Registration fees, books, and other expenses are not eligible for the benefit.
9. How much will the Vanderbilt tuition benefit contribute?
- For staff members, the benefit will provide a discount (for a class taken at Vanderbilt) or reimbursement (for a class attended elsewhere) for 70% of your tuition costs.
- For faculty members, the benefit will provide a discount (for a class taken at Vanderbilt) or reimbursement (for a class attended elsewhere) for 47% of your tuition costs.
- For spouses/partners, the benefit will provide a 47% discount on one class attended at Vanderbilt per semester.
10. How will I receive payment for the Vanderbilt tuition benefit?
Faculty, staff, and spouse/partners attending Vanderbilt will be credited directly to their student account for the appropriate discount (see previous question).
Faculty & staff who attend a college or university other than Vanderbilt will be reimbursed as a nontaxable item on their payroll check upon submitting the Request for Reimbursement form.
11. Am I required to pay taxes on this benefit?
Currently, the tuition benefit (up to $5,250 per calendar year) for faculty and staff is not considered taxable income to you, and is not reported on your W2 at the end of the year.
The tuition discount for your spouse/partner is taxable to you, and is included on your W2. A line item entitled "Taxable Tuition" will be reflected on your payroll check, and the appropriate tax will be deducted from your pay.
Other tuition questions? Call 322-4088
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HR Express 2525 West End Ave Suite 218 Nashville TN 37203 Hours M-F 7:30 - 5:30 Last Updated: October 19, 2009 |
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