Tuition reimbursement provides financial assistance to employees
who wish to improve or supplement their knowledge and skills by attending
classes at accredited colleges, junior colleges, or universities while
pursuing a degree plan.
(1) Employee Eligibility. An employee must be a regular,
full-time employee and have been employed at the Commission for at
least six (6) months to be eligible for tuition reimbursement. Any
courses completed before the six-month anniversary of an individual's
employment date will not be considered eligible. An employee who has
received a formal disciplinary action is not eligible for tuition
reimbursement for six months following the date of the action.
(2) Relevancy of Degrees/Courses. Tuition reimbursement
is available for required courses taken as part of a degree plan at
an accredited institution of higher learning. Degree plans may include
either undergraduate or graduate programs. Degree plans should be
directly or substantially related to an employee's current or prospective
responsibilities, as referenced in career ladder requirements or educational
requirements stipulated in applicable job descriptions for the employee's
division. Degree plans beyond the scope of an employee's current division
assignment must be relevant to the overall needs of the Commission
and applicable to a specific function within a Commission division.
(3) Procedure for Applying. An employee who anticipates
applying for tuition reimbursement during a fiscal year must complete
and forward to their immediate supervisor an Application for Tuition
Reimbursement form by June 30th of the preceding fiscal year. This
form is required so that appropriate budget planning and requests
may be made. If tuition reimbursement applications received exceed
the budgeted amount, refunds will be paid on a first-come, first-served
basis.
(A) The Application For Tuition Reimbursement form
must be approved by the employee's immediate supervisor, division
director and the Human Resources Director. A copy of the employee's
degree plan should be attached to the form.
(B) Once approved, the Human Resources Division will
forward the application to the Executive Director, who has the final
decision-making authority to approve or deny. After approval or denial,
the Executive Director will return the application to the Human Resources
Division for tracking purposes. The application and attachments thereto
will be maintained in the Human Resources Division. The Human Resources
Division will notify the employee and the division director of whether
the application is approved or denied.
(4) Reimbursement Amounts and Requirements. Employees
may be reimbursed up to $750.00 per semester (semester includes traditional
semester, quarter, summer session, intersession or Internet course)
for up to three (3) semesters per fiscal year, after completing pre-approved
coursework with a grade of C or equivalent for undergraduate level
work, or B or equivalent for graduate level work. An official grade
report, payment receipt and a signed Tuition Reimbursement Payment
Request form are required before any reimbursement will be approved.
This documentation must be routed through, and approved by, the employee's
immediate supervisor, division director, the Human Resources Director,
and the Executive Director. After approval, the Human Resources Director
will forward the documentation to the Office of the Controller for
payment processing. Reimbursement will be made only for tuition and
required and compulsory fees. The cost of books, supplies, deposits,
travel, late fees, parking fees and any optional fees are the responsibility
of the employee and will not be reimbursed.
(5) Employees must apply any grant, scholarship, or
other financial aid paid to them specifically for tuition and required
fees before requesting reimbursement from the Commission for the same
purposes.
(6) Hours of Attendance. Employees are expected to
retain their regular work hours schedule, or may apply for an alternative
work schedule with approval from their supervisor and division director.
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