University will offer new tuition benefit for full-time employees starting in January

When the new millennium begins Jan. 1, 2000, the University will offer a new educational benefit to full-time, benefits-eligible, nonacademic employees who wish to pursue either a bachelor’s or an associate’s degree.

Full-time, benefits-eligible employees who do not possess a four-year undergraduate degree, a graduate degree or either of their equivalents from a domestic or foreign educational institution will be eligible to receive 75 percent in tuition assistance per course, up to an annual maximum of $2000, when they take courses toward a two-year or four-year degree. The lifetime cap is $26,000 per employee.

Employees must attend a regionally accredited college or university other than the University of Chicago and must complete and pass the courses they take to receive tuition reimbursement.

Application for the benefit will require employees to complete a reimbursement form that will contain a statement that confirms:

n the employee has not previously completed a four-year bachelor’s degree or graduate degree at an accredited institution or an equivalent degree at any domestic or foreign institution

n the name of the institution to be attended, which must be on University Human Resources Management’s list of regionally accredited colleges and universities

Employees who take advantage of the tuition assistance benefit will be asked to submit proof of payment for courses and proof of passing grades in those completed courses. This information must be submitted with the reimbursement form.

University Human Resources Management will be providing additional details about the program in the next month.