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Policy

ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï provides four education assistance programs for eligible employees, retirees and their dependents.

Eligibility Criteria

Full-time classification (works 1400+ hours during a fiscal year and benefits eligible).

If an employee leaves the college and is later re-hired as a full-time employee, the entire eligibility period must be met.

The years of service eligibility criteria are as follows:

• If the classification  of a part-time employee (1000-1399 hours a year) changes to full-time (1400+ hours a year)  without a break in service, the part-time years of service will be pro-rated towards the full-time service requirement.  Two part-time years will equal one year of full-time service.
• Full-time and part-time service at another accredited college or university immediately preceding full-time employment at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï will be counted toward the service requirement. Two part-time years of employment will equal one full-time year.

Education assistance to retirees, employees and dependents may be considered taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code.  For more information please contact CC’s Tax & Compliance Manager. 

In 2009, the tuition benefits for the tuition, tuition exchange, and partial tuition for eligible dependents were modified and employees were required to make a decision to remain with the grandfathered plan or to move to the new tuition benefit.  This election was irrevocable.  In the event of termination and rehire, the election is no longer valid, with the new tuition remission benefit applicable on the date of rehire.  The tuition remission benefits for dependent children are:                        

ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Tuition Remission back to top

a.)  Dependent Children

Dependent children of eligible employees and retirees, who have been admitted to ºÚÁϳԹÏ, are eligible to receive tuition remission for up to a total of four years of undergraduate study or through the semester in which 32 credit units are completed, whichever comes first. Credits earned at another institution and accepted by ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï will be counted against the tuition remission benefit, except for Advanced Placement (AP) credits, International Baccalaureate (IB) credits, and non-college credits earned prior to high school graduation. 

Dependent children who are attending or are matriculated at other colleges may enroll in on-campus courses as special status students (a student who has been accepted as a non-degree seeking student by CC, and who is not enrolled on a full-time basis) at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï and receive tuition remission.  Dependent children will be responsible for the cost of room and board and the current per-year dependent student fee and other miscellaneous charges.

At the recommendation of the associate dean of the summer programs, eligible dependents, who are high school students, may be accepted as special student status to take summer school courses. If such students are subsequently admitted to ºÚÁϳԹÏ, the credits earned in the summer will be included in the 32-units of tuition remission for which they are eligible. 

If a dependent child requires more than four years and/or 32 units of credits to complete the bachelor’s degree, employee may make a special request for additional tuition remission, in writing, to the Vice President for People and Workplace Culture.  If denied an appeal may be submitted to the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration for final review.

NOTE:  Dependent children are defined as natural and/or adopted children, stepchildren, children of domestic partners, and grandchildren if:  (1) claimed as a dependent on either the employee’s or the custodial parent’s income tax return during each year of the employee’s participation in the tuition remission program; and (2) less than 25 years of age by December 31 of each academic year in which the employee participates in the program.

b.)  Full-time Employees

Full-time employees may also be eligible for tuition remission for undergraduate and MAT courses if class attendance does not interfere with their normal job responsibilities.  Acceptance in the course is based on available space and such employees will be considered special status students.

c.)  Spouses/Domestic Partners

Spouses/domestic partners of eligible employees may receive tuition remission for undergraduate and MAT courses equivalent to four blocks each year. Acceptance in the course is based on available space and such individuals will be considered special status students.   

d.)  Retired Employees/Spouses

Retired employees and their spouses/domestic partners are eligible for tuition remission for undergraduate and MAT courses equivalent to four blocks each year.  Acceptance in the course is based on space available and such an individual will be considered special status student.

Although full-time employees, spouses/domestic partners, and retired employees/spouses do not pay tuition for the CC tuition remission program, they will pay the current per-block student fee and other miscellaneous charges.

If an employee’s employment at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is terminated or if they resign, the tuition remission benefit for dependent children will cease at the end of the semester and for the employee, spouse, and/or domestic partner at the end of the block in which the termination or resignation occurred.

Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) Tuition Exchange Program (TREP) (for dependent children only) back to top

Eligible dependent children admitted at Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) schools that have an exchange agreement with ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï may participate in the program at the undergraduate level.  The application is subject to the same service requirements as ºÚÁϳԹÏ's tuition remission program, and to the requirements of the ACM institution to which the student is applying.

If a dependent child requires more than four years and/or 32 units of credits to complete the bachelor’s degree, employee may make a special request for additional tuition remission, in writing, to the Vice President for People and Workplace Culture.  If denied an appeal may be submitted to the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration for final review.

If an employee’s employment at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is terminated or if they resign, the tuition exchange program benefit will cease at the end of the semester in which the termination or resignation occurred.

ACM institutions that participate in the tuition exchange agreement are:  Beloit College, Coe College, ºÚÁϳԹÏ, Cornell College, Grinnell College, Knox College, Lake Forest College, Lawrence University, Luther College, Macalester College, Monmouth College, Ripon College, and St. Olaf College. Additional documents for the Tuition Exchange Program will be provided upon receipt of the application form.

Partial Tuition Payment (for dependent children only) back to top

Eligible dependent children may apply for a partial tuition payment of up to 10 percent of the prevailing ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï tuition rate per year (fall and spring semesters only) for a total of four years attendance at an accredited undergraduate college or university other than ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï or an ACM TREP participating institution.  The partial tuition payment is the lesser of the actual tuition cost or 10 percent of the prevailing ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï tuition rate.

 If a dependent child requires more than four years and/or 32 units of credits to complete the bachelor’s degree, employee may make a special request for additional tuition assistance, in writing, to the Vice President for People and Workplace Culture.  If denied an appeal may be submitted to the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration for final review.

The partial tuition payment will be sent directly to the college or university the dependent child is attending. No further payment will be made after an employee’s employment at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï ends. Should employment terminate prior to the start of a semester and the partial tuition check has already been issued for that semester, the individual will be responsible for reimbursement of that check to ºÚÁϳԹÏ.

Tuition Assistance Program (for employees only) back to top

ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï may reimburse eligible employees for courses taken at a business or technical school, or an accredited college or university. Books, fees, travel expenses, etc., are not eligible for reimbursement. Employees already participating in the program will be given preference for continuing awards in subsequent semesters. The maximum reimbursement will be the actual tuition cost but not to exceed the current in-state and in-class rate for comparable courses at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs. Individuals may receive tuition assistance for a maximum of four classes (12 credits/half-time status) per academic year.  Class attendance and completion of study assignments must be accomplished outside of the employee's normal work schedule unless approved by the supervisor.  Tuition assistance will be offset by any scholarships or grants. It is the employee's responsibility to inform human resources of such reimbursements prior to requesting tuition assistance.  Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the tuition assistance program and appropriate disciplinary action.

The tuition assistance payment will be sent directly to the institution the employee is attending. No further payment will be made after an employee’s employment at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï ends. Should employment terminate prior to the start of a semester and the tuition assistance check has already been issued for that semester, the employee will be responsible for reimbursement of that check to ºÚÁϳԹÏ.

Taxability of Education Assistance

• Undergraduate assistance for an employee, spouse, dependent child, or retiree is not taxable.
• Undergraduate assistance for a domestic partner or a domestic partner’s child is taxable
• Graduate assistance for a spouse or domestic partner is taxable. We do not offer graduate assistance for dependent children; the only graduate assistance available for a spouse or domestic partner is in CC’s MAT program.
• Graduate assistance for an employee up to $5,250 per year is generally not taxable.
• Graduate assistance for an employee above $5,250 per year is generally taxable, unless it is to keep or improve performance in current job AND will not qualify the employee for a new trade or business.

Procedures

An application form must be completed to participate in any of the four programs.

Contact Human Resources for tuition assistance application forms or download application from the Benefits Website:  (Education Assistance Tab).

Definitions