Tuition Reimbursement Eligibility Requirements -top-

To be eligible for the Tuition Reimbursement program, employees:

• Shall be in a continuous position or in a term appointment of one year or more,
• Shall be employed at the start of coursework and remain employed through the end of the semester,
• Shall be a P&S or Merit staff member,
• Shall take coursework for credit.
• Shall receive a course grade of C or better in undergraduate coursework
• Shall receive a course grade of B- or better in graduate coursework.

Applications will be processed and staff will be notified of their status. Applying for the program does not guarantee tuition reimbursement.

Program Guidelines -top-

• All applications requesting funds for tuition reimbursement will be prioritized as follows:

1st: State of Iowa Regent Institutions
2nd: Institutions of Higher Education with a partnership agreement with State of Iowa Regent Institutions
3rd: United States Accredited Institutions

• Coursework can be completed either at Iowa State University or other United States accredited colleges or universities.
• Employees must be registered for the course(s) indicated on their application in order for their application to be considered. Applicants are responsible to edit their applications when changes occur.
• Reimbursement will be awarded for tuition only.

Coursework: Tuition reimbursement is limited to tuition up to three college credits. The reimbursement rate will not exceed the Iowa State University's Resident Undergraduate or Graduate rate amounts as outlined in the tuition rate schedule for that semester.

If the application is awarded, the applicant will receive reimbursement after successfully completing the course. Applicants must receive a grade of C or better in the undergraduate coursework, while graduate coursework requires a grade of B- or better for reimbursement. Coursework must be started the semester of application and must be completed within one year of the start of the semester in which the award was received.

 Reimbursement -top-

• Iowa State University Coursework: For Iowa State University coursework, the Office of Human Resource Services will obtain grade(s) directly from the Registrar and verify that the grade(s) meets the grade requirement for the awarded program coursework. The Office of Human Resource Services will also verify with the Accounts Receivable Office that tuition, for the semester in question, has been paid. The Accounts Receivable system will check the applicant's University account for any other fees or charges due. If the balance is zero, after tuition has been paid, the system will issue reimbursement. If tuition award recipients currently have the direct deposit option, the reimbursement will be directly deposited into their accounts. If there is a balance, the system will apply the reimbursement to the applicant's University account. If a balance exists that is less than the reimbursement amount, a reimbursement for the difference will be made.

Reimbursement for tuition paid up to the approved amount of the award will be provided if a grade of "C" or better for undergraduate coursework, "B-" or better for graduate coursework, and "S" in coursework graded only on a S/F basis is obtained. Coursework taken on a Pass/No Pass basis will not qualify for tuition reimbursement.

• External Coursework: For non-Iowa State University coursework, tuition reimbursement will be made upon submission of a receipt for tuition paid for the coursework and a certified record or statement from the institution at which the coursework was taken showing that the coursework was completed with the grade requirement listed above. One copy of the grade(s) and receipt must be submitted to the Office of Human Resource Services by the deadline stated on the award notification.

If awarded a tuition reimbursement, the staff member will pay for course tuition and fees. Tuition reimbursement will be paid only after successful completion of the coursework.

• Please mail or campus mail required documents to the HR Service Center, c/o Connie, 3810 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2033. (Tuition reimbursement cannot be made until the HR Office receives this information.) You will receive a credit or deposit approximately two weeks after the grade/paperwork are received and verified. Direct Deposit can be set up through AccessPlus.

Tuition reimbursement must be used during the semester for which the award is granted. If awarded, but the staff member withdraws from the course, the funds will revert to the Tuition Reimbursement program and the staff member is responsible for any fees incurred. Please notify tuitionreimbursement@iastate.edu if the course is being dropped. Staff members also needs to modify their applications if possible before the deadline date. Failure to do so may result in the denial of tuition reimbursement.

Amended Application -top-

Staff members must notify tuitionreimbursement@iastate.edu of any changes to their applications. Applications can be modified through AccessPlus until a preset date.

Additional Funding -top-

Some departments provide additional support for employees taking coursework for professional development. Check with your department to determine what is available.

Conditions -top-

• Staff must remain available for regularly scheduled work hours. Accommodations or modifications related to work hours for coursework taken during regularly scheduled work hours require approval of the employing unit.
• Staff must be continuously employed during the duration of the semester in order to be eligible for tuition reimbursement through this reimbursement program.