ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ

Regulations & Policies

Human Resources

I. OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to encourage the employees of the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ to pursue life-long learning opportunities for professional growth and development. 

II. STATEMENT OF POLICY

It is the policy of the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ (ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ) to provide financial assistance for the ongoing education of eligible employees, subject to published guidelines and procedures. This benefit only includes University paid tuition at the in-state rate and certain fees. The benefit does not cover other fees, books, or supplies. Specific information on excluded fees and costs can be found here /records/state-employee.html.

III. GUIDELINES

1. Eligible Employees
   1. Full-time university and direct support organization (DSO) employees in good standing, who have been employed for at least six (6) months in a budgeted position, and who qualify as Florida residents for tuition purposes, are eligible to enroll in up to six (6) credit hours of instruction per semester at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ.
   2. Part-time employees (.5 FTE) in good standing, who have been employed for at least six (6) months in a budgeted position are eligible to enroll in up to three (3) credit hours of instruction per semester. 
   3. For the purposes of this Policy, an employee shall not be considered “in good standing” if the employee has been issued a notice of non-reappointment or notice of termination for just cause or if the employee’s overall performance is below the satisfactory level.
   4. As an employee benefit, the participant must remain in employee status for the duration of the semester to receive paid tuition.  If the employee separates during the semester, then the tuition benefit will be forfeited, and the full tuition will become due and may be deducted from the employee’s final paycheck pursuant to the University Employee Debt Collection Policy.
   5. This Program is not available to OPS employees, student employees, adjuncts, or temporary personnel.
   6. If the employee has been continuously employed by the University for six (6) months, but a portion of that time was in a position ineligible for the Program, the employee may receive credit for the prior time by contacting the Office of Human Resources.

   7. Eligibility to utilize the Program does not guarantee admission to any specific academic program or course(s).

   8. The lifetime maximum is 132 attempted credit hours per individual through this Program.
2. Use of Tuition Benefit
   1. Classes should not be scheduled during normal working hours without the prior permission of the department head and an approved plan to account for the time missed (such as through the use of personal accrued leave or flexible scheduling)
   2. The tuition benefits in this Program cannot be transferred. For example, an employee cannot transfer their tuition benefit under this Program to their spouse, domestic partner, child, or dependent.
   3. Unused tuition hours do not roll over nor can they be carried over into another semester.
   4. The University reserves the right to exempt specific courses from eligibility for this Program. For a list of exempted courses for a specific semester, contact the Registrar’s Office.
3. Financial Value of the Benefit
   1. The value of courses taken using the Program is not used to compute the employee’s base rate of pay or regular rate of pay.
   2. If an individual is not eligible for in-state tuition, they must pay the out-of-state portion.
   3. The University will not be responsible for any tax liability arising from the use of this Program.
   4. The Program may only be used to reduce the amount of tuition and applicable fees owed for attendance. It does not result in a credit/refund to the individual if other funding sources fully cover the cost of tuition and applicable fees. If the individual has other scholarships and funding sources (except for loans), those other sources shall be utilized first and the Program shall be the last source of funding.
4. Sufficient Progress Required to Retain Benefits
   1. The employee must be in good academic standing to use the Program.
   2. If an employee does not complete a course for which they have used Program benefits, then they are not eligible to use the Program the following semester. For example, if an employee used the Program for a course in the Spring semester but withdrew, they would not be eligible to use the Program for the Summer semester(s). The employee would become eligible to use the Program again in the Fall.
   3. Designations such as withdraw (W) or incomplete (I) do not satisfy the requirements for sufficient progress and will count toward the lifetime maximum use of the Program.

IV. PROCEDURES

1. The employee must apply for admission, meet admissions criteria, and complete registration requirements.
2. The employee is responsible for completing the Program Employee Request application form online by the published deadline. 
3. Any employee receiving student financial aid must notify the Office of Financial Aid that the employee is using the Program. 
4. As a precondition to approving a request to participate in the Program, the University will require the employee to enter into an agreement that requires the following in order to enjoy continued participation in the Program: 
   
   1. Remain in good academic standing;
   2. Complete all courses taken through this program which the user does not drop/withdraw before the expiration of the regular add/drop period. Designations such as withdraw (W) or incomplete (I) will not satisfy the requirements of this paragraph, and will count toward the lifetime maximum as stated in guideline J above.

V. EXCEPTIONS

In unique circumstances, the University may make exceptions to these guidelines or procedures.  Requests for exceptions should be submitted to the Office of Human Resources.  In addition to a statement of the employee’s reasons for needing the exception, the employee must submit documentation substantiating the request – for example, a medical doctor’s verification of an illness that prevented completion of the course or documentation of a change in the University position held by the employee that prevented attendance.  The request will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources in conjunction with the Registrar’s Office for a determination.

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