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  3. Non-Degree Program Manager Information

Non-Degree Program Manager Information

As a manager of people, you play an important role in your employee’s professional development. The non-degree programs being offered are intended to help your employees learn, grow, and thrive in their careers at Vanderbilt and beyond. When an employee wants to take advantage of these programs, they are encouraged to speak with you first to ensure the course, certificate, or certification they are seeking is job-related. Additionally, after an employee applies for reimbursement, their application will be routed to you for approval before reimbursement can be approved and processed. Information on the programs offered, guidelines for determining if a course is appropriate, and FAQs to help you navigate your role in these programs is below.

Programs Offered

Certification and Non-Degree Program

Employees can receive tax-free reimbursement of up to $5,250 each year for job-related education for professional development. Eligible expenses include:

  • Certifications & Licensures
  • Bootcamps & Individual Courses
  • Continuing Education Units (CEUs) & Prep Courses
  • For-credit and Non-credit Training

For a list of all eligible expenses currently offered, please see What’s covered below.

Excluded expenses: Fees, books, and course materials that are not included in the initial course fees, as well as any course cost above the annual maximum of $5,250 will be the employee’s responsibility. Additionally, conference fees and travel are not included in this program and are not eligible for reimbursement through it.

English Language Learning and Financial Literacy Courses

For those whose first language is not English, communication at work can be a challenge. That’s why we have partnered with EnGen, a leading provider of English language learning, to provide an opportunity to develop your employees’ language skills in a practical way. EnGen also provides education on financial literacy to further support those who are new to the English language.

  • No payment is required – EnGen will bill Vanderbilt directly
  • Annual limit of $5,250, which is shared with the non-degree program

 

Eligibility

Eligible full-time staff and faculty who have completed three consecutive months of service are able to take advantage of the Certification and Non-Degree Program and the English Language Learning Program and Financial Literacy Courses. Vanderbilt Temporary Services (VTS) employees, employee spouses or dependents are not eligible for either benefit.

What’s covered

The non-degree program covers a wide variety of certificates and certifications, ranging from Project Management to Certified Public Accountant to Certified Facility Manager. The courses covered are meant to support your employees’ growth in their careers at Vanderbilt. If your employee does not see the option they are looking for, please ask them to fill out this form to request that it be added. Once the Benefits team receives the request, we’ll review it and confirm with you and your division that it’s appropriate and let you know if it can be added. 

What is job-related

For the courses, certificates, bootcamps, etc. to be a tax-free benefit, they must be job-related. When you have a conversation with your employee about this educational opportunity or receive an application, keep this in mind. If you’re not sure if the course or certificate is job-related, ask these three questions:

  1. Does it help the employee meet the primary requirements of their role?
  2. Does it prepare the employee for new responsibilities in their current role?
  3. Does it prepare the employee for a position for which they are being considered?

If the answer to any of these questions is “Yes”, then you can reasonably consider the education to be job-related.  If you’re not sure or would like additional support in making the decision, reach out to our team at tuitionbenefit@vanderbilt.edu and we’ll assist you.

How employees will apply

First, we encourage any employee interested in taking advantage of these programs to have a conversation with you to ensure it meets the criteria listed above. If your employee skips this step and enrolls in a course that is not related to their job, under our policy, they cannot be reimbursed under this program.

When you and your employee agree that the course, certificate or certification is eligible, your employee will need to follow these steps to apply for reimbursement:

  • First, they will need to enroll in the certificate or certification course and pay for it. They will need to keep itemized proof of payment as this will be required for reimbursement.
  • Applications must be submitted via EdAssist within 30 days of the start of the course. If this deadline is missed, the application will be denied.
  • Employees will submit their invoice or receipt through EdAssist once registered, and after approval, they will receive reimbursement on the next available payroll. Employees DO NOT need to wait to complete the course before they apply.
  • Your employee must submit proof within 30 days of the successful course or exam completion. Success criteria include completion with a C- or better, pass, or equivalent credential (e.g., badge, CEU, etc.).
  • If documentation is not submitted, the reimbursement will be considered an ineligible overpayment and the employee will need to return the payment to Vanderbilt.

 

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