Tuition Reimbursement Program Expands

For years, Duke has offered employees reimbursement of tuition for classes taken at Duke. Now, for employees whose professional development goals include courses taken elsewhere, there is a new university program of assistance.

Beginning Jan.1, Duke will introduce a new professional development pilot program to reimburse employees for tuition for classes taken at any accredited academic institutions outside Duke.

The genesis of the Employee Tuition Assistance Pilot Program came from the Women's Initiative and the DUHS Work Culture Survey, both of which indicated that the current Educational Assistance Program's restriction to Duke classes limited usage of the benefit. Both programs will continue to be available during the 12-month pilot.

"Today, only about 200 employees a semester benefit from the Educational Assistance Program because the program is limited to Duke classes," said Lois Ann Green, director of benefits. "This new pilot program will allow staff to take classes at community colleges or other academic institutions that may be closer to home or offer classes at night or classes not available at Duke."

The Employee Tuition Assistance Pilot Program will provide reimbursement of tuition for a maximum of two classes per calendar year up to $2,500 for full-time employees with at least two years of service.

To be eligible for reimbursement, the courses must meet the following guidelines:

• Must be related to the employee's current job or enable future career growth.
• Must provide academic credit (as opposed to continuing education units).
• Can be classroom, video-based, distance learning, web-based, e-learning, and some correspondence coursework (GED or English as a Second Language classes also included).
• Must be identified and documented in the employee's professional development plan.
• Must be completed with a grade of "C" or better or "Pass" where a grade is not provided

Staff covered by bargaining units should refer to their respective bargaining unit agreements for benefits eligibility.

Funding for this pilot program is limited, so the application approval process will be based on first-come, first-served. To encourage broader access to professional development opportunities, reimbursement through this pilot program is limited to courses that are not reimbursable through department funds and employees who are not receiving tuition assistance through other Duke programs during 2005.

Registration for spring classes takes place in the fall at many academic institutions, so employees are encouraged to apply early. Forms are available on the Human Resources web site or by calling Benefits at 684-5600. Benefits will contact employees within one week of submission regarding approval of their application upon successful completion of the class.

Additional information is available online here.