Tuition Benefits

Tuition Benefits

UConn offers tuition waiver and reimbursement programs for employee populations. The following information provides definitions, procedures, rules, and forms.

Dependent Child Tuition Waiver

DEFINITIONS
Active Employee: means a UConn employee, who is at least 50% employed, in a position covered by the AAUP, UCPEA, the Law School Faculty, or Management/Confidential. Adjunct faculty, covered by the AAUP collective bargaining agreement, are ineligible for the waiver. Active employees include individuals on an approved leave of absence.

Dependent: means a matriculated student who is below the age of 24 years for the entire calendar year for which the waiver of tuition is sought and is eligible to be claimed on the employee’s federal tax return as a dependent. Illustrative example: application in November Year 1 for spring semester Year 2, and student is turning 24 in Calendar Year 2, student does not meet the definition of a dependent.

Child: means the employee’s biological child; the employee’s stepchild, who is the biological or adopted child of the employee’s spouse; the employee’s legally adopted child.

ELIGIBILITY
The following parameters must be met to receive the waiver:

  • The student must be the “dependent child” of the employee.
  • The student must be a matriculated student (full- or part-time) in a tuition based undergraduate program at the University of Connecticut.
  • The employee must be actively employed at least 50% as of the first day of classes for the semester seeking the waiver.
  • The student’s coursework must occur in the Fall or Spring semesters. Fee-based intersession (summer and winter) courses are not eligible for tuition waivers.

The following are additional provisions related to the dependent tuition waiver:

  • The waiver does not cover graduate tuition.
  • Education Abroad programs without tuition components (i.e., fee-based Education Abroad programs) are ineligible for waivers. For Education Abroad programs that do have a tuition component, a waiver will be applied to the tuition component not to exceed the UConn tuition rate.
  • The tuition waiver does not waive program fees. Individuals remain responsible for any non-tuition fees and charges, including the General University Fee.
  • Individuals remain responsible for deadlines related to billing and registration through the Offices of the Bursar and Registrar, respectively.
  • Upon the separation or death of an employee, the waiver will cease upon the completion of the current semester.

The following provision applies to AAUP, Law School Faculty, and Management/Confidential employees:

  • In the event of an employee’s death while his/her child is enrolled, the tuition waiver shall continue through the completion of the undergraduate degree and in no case more than a total of five academic years.

APPLYING FOR A WAIVER
The deadlines for employees to apply for the dependent child tuition waiver are June 1 for the Fall semester and November 15 for the Spring semester. Employees must apply each semester for each dependent child for whom a waiver is sought. With good cause shown, such as the recent hire of an employee or admittance of the student into an undergraduate program, Human Resources may consider exceptions to these deadlines.

The following documentation will be accepted as proof of dependency: a copy of the full-length birth certificate for biological children; a copy of the full-length birth certificate and marriage certificate for stepchildren; a copy of court order for adopted children. In certain cases, a copy of a divorce decree may also be required.

The form is quick and easy however it is critical that you review the following procedural information as well as the information regarding eligibility and applicability and exclusions.

Upon initial application, proof of age and dependent status must be provided to Human Resources in the form of an original birth certificate. HR may request a non-amended copy of an original State of CT or Federal Tax return upon initial application, or upon request by Human Resources at any time while the child is benefiting from a waiver.

Please note that a separate waiver request must be submitted for each child, each semester.

TAXABILITY
The University issues dependent child tuition waivers pursuant to the tax rules governing such waivers under Internal Revenue Code Sections 117(d), 132(h), 152, and corresponding Treasury Regulations.

IRS rules governing dependent child tuition waivers regard such waivers as a potentially taxable employee fringe benefit. To the extent a dependent child tuition waiver is taxable under IRS rules, it will be treated as taxable income to the employee and will be included in the employee’s W-2 wages.

Employee Tuition Waiver

DEFINITIONS
Active employees: means a UConn employee, who is at least 50% employed, in a position covered by UCPEA, AFSCME (NP-3 Storrs/Regionals), or Management/Confidential. Active employees include individuals on an approved leave of absence.

ELIGIBILITY
Employees must meet the following applicable parameters to receive an employee tuition waiver.

For UCPEA and Management/Confidential employees:

  • For graduate coursework, the employee must be a matriculated student (full- or part-time) or pursuing work-related coursework. Matriculation and “work-related” qualifications do not apply to undergraduate tuition.
  • The employee must be actively employed at least 50% as of the first day of classes for the semester seeking the waiver. The waiver will be pro-rated based on the percentage employed on the first day of classes.
  • The employee’s coursework must be in the Fall or Spring semesters.
  • Intersession (summer and winter) courses and laboratory courses are not eligible for tuition waivers.
  • The tuition waiver waives only tuition or credit-fees that are equivalent to tuition. Students remain responsible for any non-tuition fees and charges, including the General University Fee.
  • Students remain responsible for deadlines related to billing and registration through the Offices of the Bursar and Registrar, respectively.

For AFSCME (NP-3) employees:

  • The employee must be a matriculated undergraduate student (part-time only) or pursuing work-related coursework. (The waiver does not cover graduate courses for AFSCME employees.)
  • The employee must be actively employed at least 50% as of the first day of classes for the semester seeking the waiver.
  • The employee must be a permanent bargaining unit member, and the employee’s most recent performance appraisal must be rated “good” or better.
  • The employee’s coursework must be in the Fall or Spring semesters; AFSCME members are limited to two courses per semester; and the waiver only applies to undergraduate tuition.
  • Intersession (summer and winter) courses and laboratory courses are not eligible for tuition waivers.
  • The tuition waiver waives only tuition or credit-fees that are equivalent to tuition. Students remain responsible for any non-tuition fees and charges, including the General University Fee.
  • Students remain responsible for deadlines related to billing and registration through the Offices of the Bursar and Registrar, respectively.

APPLYING FOR A WAIVER
Employees must apply for the employee tuition waiver by the tenth day of classes for the Fall and Spring semesters, respectively. Employees must apply each semester when seeking a waiver. The application portal is available on the applicable HR website.

Employees are eligible to register for coursework on the first day of classes for tuition-based courses. For credit-fee-based courses, employees are eligible to register on the second day of classes. Employees who enroll prior to the first or second day of the semester, respectively, will be ineligible for the waiver.

If the coursework occurs during the employee’s normal work schedule, the employee and supervisor must complete a Flexible Work Schedule Agreement Form prior to the employee attending the first class session(s) of each applicable semester.

Upon the separation of an employee, the waiver will cease upon the completion of the current semester.

Please Note: The Employee Tuition Waiver application for the spring 2024 semester will become available on Tuesday, January 16, the first day of classes. Please contact Human Resources at hr@uconn.edu to request Employee Tuition Waiver information from prior semesters.

The application is quick and easy, however it is critical that you review the procedural information provided as well as the information regarding eligibility and applicability and exclusions.

Waiver recipients may only register on the first or second day of classes.

Please note that a separate waiver request must be submitted each semester.

TAXABILITY
IRS rules governing employee tuition waivers regard such waivers as a potentially taxable employee fringe benefit. To the extent an employee tuition waiver is taxable under IRS rules, it will be treated as taxable income to the employee and will be included in the employee’s W-2 wages.

The value of an employee tuition waiver granted to a qualifying employee for a graduate level education may be taxable to the employee. In certain instances, a graduate level education may not meet the criteria set by the Internal Revenue Service to be treated as a nontaxable fringe benefit. Most notably, if the graduate education 1) qualifies the employee for a new trade or business or, 2) is unrelated to the employee’s current job function or, 3) is needed to meet the minimum education requirements for the employee’s position, then the graduate level education may be treated as a taxable fringe benefit in accordance with federal income tax laws. The graduate degrees that most often give rise to a taxable fringe benefit are: Masters in Accounting, Masters in Social Work, Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Nursing (if it qualifies the graduate for APRN licensure), Law Degrees (JD/LLM), and Masters in Educational Psychology with concentrations in Counseling Psychology or Counselor Education. For further information about the taxability of employee tuition waivers, please visit UConn’s Tax and Compliance Website. (Please note that tuition waivers granted to student employees who have been hired as Graduate Assistants are nontaxable.)

Reciprocal Tuition: The University of Rhode Island and the University of Maine at Orono

DEFINITIONS
Active Employee: means a UConn employee, who is at least 50% employed, in a position covered by the AAUP, UCPEA, the Law School Faculty, or Management/Confidential. Adjunct faculty, covered by the AAUP collective bargaining agreement, are ineligible for the benefit. Active employees include individuals on an approved leave of absence.

Dependent: means a matriculated student who is below the age of 24 years for the entire calendar year for which the waiver of tuition is sought and is eligible to be claimed on the employee’s federal tax return as a dependent. Illustrative example: application in November Year 1 for spring semester Year 2, and student is turning 24 in Calendar Year 2, student does not meet the definition of a dependent.

Child: means the employee’s biological child; the employee’s stepchild, who is the biological or adopted child of the employee’s spouse; the employee’s legally adopted child.

ELIGIBILITY
The University of Rhode Island and the University of Maine at Orono offer in-state tuition rates to applicable “dependent children” of UConn employees who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at either institution.

The following parameters must be met to receive the reciprocal tuition benefit:

  • The student must be the “dependent child” of the employee.
  • The student must be a matriculated undergraduate student (full- or part-time) at the applicable institution.
  • The employee must be actively employed at least 50% as of the first day of classes each applicable semester.
  • The student’s coursework must occur in the Fall or Spring semesters.

The following are additional provisions related to the reciprocal tuition benefit:

  • The reciprocity agreement does not cover graduate tuition.
  • Courses outside of the fall and spring semesters and non-tuition-based education abroad programs are not eligible for reciprocal tuition.
  • Students remain responsible for costs associated with in-state tuition and any applicable fees, in accordance with policies established by the University of Rhode Island and the University of Maine at Orono, respectively.

Upon the separation or death of an employee, the tuition benefit will cease upon the completion of the current semester.

APPLYING FOR THE TUITION BENEFIT
Employees must apply each semester for reciprocal tuition through the Department of Human Resources at UConn. The deadlines for employees to apply for the reciprocal tuition program are June 1 for the Fall semester and November 15 for the Spring semester. Employees must apply each semester for each dependent child for whom a waiver is sought.

The following documentation will be accepted as proof of dependency: a copy of the full-length birth certificate for biological children; a copy of the full-length birth certificate and marriage certificate for stepchildren; a copy of court order for adopted children. In certain cases, a copy of a divorce decree may also be required.

TAXABILITY
The University offers dependent child reciprocal tuition benefits pursuant to the tax rules governing such benefits under Internal Revenue Code Sections 117(d), 132(h), 152, and corresponding Treasury Regulations. To the extent the terms “dependent” and “child” as defined in this policy are ambiguous, the tax authorities cited above shall control.

IRS rules governing dependent child reciprocal tuition benefits regard such benefits as a potentially taxable employee fringe benefit. To the extent a dependent child reciprocal tuition benefit is taxable under IRS rules, it will be treated as taxable income to the employee and will be included in the employee’s W-2 wages.

Spousal Tuition Waiver

DEFINITION
Active Employee: means a UConn employee, who is at least 50% employed, in a position covered by the AAUP, the Law School Faculty, or Management/Confidential. Adjunct faculty, covered by the AAUP collective bargaining agreement, are ineligible for the benefit. Active employees include individuals on an approved leave of absence.

ELIGIBILITY
The following parameters must be met to receive the waiver:

  • The student must be the legal spouse of the employee.
  • The student must be a matriculated undergraduate student (full- or part-time) in a tuition-based program.
  • The employee must be actively employed at least 50% as of the first day of class each semester.
  • The student’s coursework must be in the Fall or Spring semesters. Fee-based intersession (summer and winter) courses are not eligible for tuition waivers.

The following are additional parameters related to the spousal tuition waiver:

  • The waiver does not cover graduate tuition.
  • Laboratory courses are not eligible for a tuition waiver.
  • Education Abroad programs without tuition components (i.e., fee-based Education Abroad programs) are ineligible for waivers. For Education Abroad programs that do have a tuition component, a waiver will be applied to the tuition component not to exceed the UConn tuition rate.
  • The tuition waiver waives only tuition, not program fees. Individuals remain responsible for any non-tuition fees and charges, including the General University Fee.
  • Individuals remain responsible for deadlines related to billing and registration through the Offices of the Bursar and Registrar, respectively.
  • Students are eligible to register for courses on the first day of classes, and students must obtain the primary instructor’s consent prior to registration.
  • Upon the death or separation of the employee, the waiver will cease upon the completion of the current semester.

APPLYING FOR THE WAIVER
Employees must apply for the spousal tuition waiver by the tenth day of classes for the Fall and Spring semesters, respectively. Employees must apply each semester when seeking a waiver.

Students who enroll prior to the first day of the semester will be ineligible for the waiver.

The Department of Human Resources requires a marriage certificate as proof of matrimony, and Human Resources reserves the right to require additional documentation.

The form is quick and easy however it is critical that you review the procedural information as well as the information regarding eligibility and applicability and exclusions.

Please note that a separate waiver request must be submitted each semester.

TAXABILITY
IRS rules governing spousal tuition waivers regard such waivers as a potentially taxable employee fringe benefit. To the extent a spousal tuition waiver is taxable under IRS rules, it will be treated as taxable income to the employee and will be included in the employee’s W-2 wages.

Employee Tuition Reimbursement

DEFINITIONS
Active employee: means a UConn employee, who is at least 50% employed, in a position covered by AAUP, UCPEA, Protective Services (NP-5), Administrative Clerical (NP-3), Maintenance Services (NP-2), Social Services (P-2), or Management/Confidential. Adjunct faculty, covered by the AAUP collective bargaining agreement, are ineligible for tuition reimbursement. Active employees include individuals on an approved leave of absence.

PROCEDURES
The following sections outline the appropriate procedures for employees to seek tuition reimbursement.

AAUP

  • The AAUP contract provides for a reimbursement pool of $40,000. It is divided amongst the summer ($8,000), fall ($16,000), and spring ($16,000) semesters.
  • Reimbursement may be sought for tuition at an accredited institution.
  • Tuition reimbursement covers tuition only. Program fees, registration costs, textbooks, insurance, and other costs are not reimbursable.
  • The tuition reimbursement is limited to one (1) 3-4 credit course per semester; there is a 9-credit limit per fiscal year, per employee.
  • Reimbursement is capped at 50% of the institution’s tuition, subject to the availability of funds, not to exceed UConn’s in-state tuition rate.
  • Reimbursement may be sought for undergraduate or graduate courses, including online courses.
  • Employees must be employed at least 50%. Employees who are 50 – 99% employed will receive a pro-rated reimbursement, based on their employment percentage.
    • Employees must be employed at the time of application and on the last day of the course.
  • Courses must be career related and beneficial to UConn, as verified by the department/unit head.
  • If a supervisor requires an employee to take a course, the employee will be eligible for 100% reimbursement of the tuition, subject to the availability of funds and the semester credit limit. The employee’s application must include a letter from the department/unit head requesting 100% tuition reimbursement with adequate explanation and justification.

UCPEA

  • The UCPEA contract provides for an annual reimbursement pool of $25,000, which shall be divided into three installments for the summer ($8,333.34), fall ($8,333.33), and spring terms ($8,333.33). The employee reimbursement percentage will vary by term, as it depends on the number of participating employees; each employee will receive an equal share.
    • UConn summer/lab courses: UConn-Storrs’ per-credit rate.
    • Accredited institution: UConn-Storrs’ per-credit rate or other institution’s per-credit rate, whichever is less.
  • Reimbursement may be sought for tuition at an accredited institution.
  • Employees may seek reimbursement for courses taught in fall, spring, or summer terms.
  • Employees may not seek reimbursement for UConn courses that are eligible for a tuition waiver.
  • Tuition reimbursement covers tuition and program fees. Registration costs, textbooks, insurance, and other costs are not reimbursable.
  • The tuition reimbursement is limited to one (1) 3-4 credit course per semester; there is a 9-credit limit per fiscal year, per employee.
  • Reimbursement may be sought for undergraduate or graduate courses, including online courses.
  • Employees must be employed at least 50%. Employees who are 50 – 99% employed will receive a pro-rated reimbursement, based on their employment percentage.
    • Employees must be employed at the time of application and on the last day of the course.
  • Courses must be career related and beneficial to UConn, as verified by the department/unit head.
  • If a supervisor requires an employee to take a course, the department will assume the cost of the training.
  • Employees may defer 50% of tuition or fee rate repayment until one month after course completion.

Maintenance Services (NP-2)

  • Reimbursement may be sought for tuition, lab fees, and community college service fees at an accredited institution.
  • Reimbursement may be sought for undergraduate or graduate courses.
  • For credit courses, employees are eligible for 100% reimbursement, up to a maximum of 75% of the per-credit rate for undergraduate or graduate courses, respectively, at UConn.
  • For non-credit courses, employees are eligible for 100% reimbursement, up to a maximum of 50% of the per-credit rate for undergraduate or graduate courses, respectively, at UConn.

Administrative Clerical (NP-3)

  • Employees may seek reimbursement after completing their initial working test period.
  • Reimbursement may be sought for tuition, lab fees, and community college service fees. (External degree programs, enrollment fees and examination fees, up to six per year, are also eligible under tuition reimbursement.)
  • The tuition reimbursement is limited to 12 credits per year.
  • At an accredited institution, employees may receive 75% reimbursement of the cost of tuition, laboratory fees, and community college service fees for undergraduate and graduate courses.
  • For other courses or programs, employees are eligible for 75% reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate courses.
  • Tuition reimbursement for external degree programs and for courses offered at non-accredited institutions or non-credit courses shall be subject to prior approval by the Department of Administrative Services. Non-credit courses will be converted to an equivalent number of credits to compute reimbursement (e.g., six to fifteen hours of non-credit classroom time will be considered the equivalent of one credit).

Protective Services (NP-5)

  • Employees may seek up to 75% reimbursement for tuition, books, and related fees at an accredited institution of higher education.

Social Services (P-2)

  • Employees may seek tuition reimbursement following completing six months of employment in the bargaining unit.
  • The employee may seek reimbursement for continuing education in a job-related area or in an area for upward mobility or promotional opportunities.
  • Reimbursement may be sought for undergraduate or graduate courses.
  • The tuition reimbursement is limited to 18 credits per year.
  • At an accredited institution, employees may receive a maximum tuition reimbursement of $135/per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $220/per credit hour for graduate courses.
  • For other courses or programs, employees may receive 50% reimbursement with $57.50/per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $72.50/credit hour for graduate courses.

Management/Confidential
In accordance with action by the Board of Trustees, Management/Confidential employees may seek tuition reimbursement when the following conditions are met:

  • Courses must be career related and beneficial to UConn, as verified by the department/unit head.
  • Reimbursement may be sought for tuition at an accredited institution.
  • Employees may seek reimbursement for courses taken in fall, spring, or summer terms at any accredited institution. Employees registered and seeking tuition reimbursement for a UConn course or program are ineligible for a tuition waiver.
  • Tuition reimbursement covers tuition only. Program fees, registration costs, textbooks, insurance, and other costs are not reimbursable.
  • The tuition reimbursement is limited to one (1) 3-4 credit course per semester; there is a 9-credit limit per fiscal year, per employee.
  • Reimbursement is capped at 100% of the institution’s tuition, subject to the availability of funds, not to exceed the in-state tuition rate for the University of Connecticut in the current academic year.
  • Reimbursement may be sought for undergraduate or graduate courses, including online courses. For programs that use a modular scheduling, efforts will be made to determine an equivalent level of reimbursement using the above guidelines.
  • The employee must be actively employed as of the first day of class for the semester seeking the reimbursement. Employees who are 50 – 99% employed will receive a pro-rated reimbursement, based on their employment percentage as of the first day of classes.
  • Employees must be employed at the time of application and on the last day of class.

If the coursework occurs during the employee’s normal work schedule, the employee and supervisor must complete a Flexible Work Schedule Agreement Form prior to the employee attending the first class session(s) of each applicable semester.

APPLYING FOR REIMBURSEMENT
Application Procedures for AAUP, UCPEA, and Management/Confidential

  • Employees must apply to the reimbursement program at beginning of the semester. Documentation of a paid fee bill and grade report are due at the end of each semester to receive reimbursement:
    • Summer: September 15
    • Fall: January 15
    • Spring: June 1
  • Employees who apply less than two weeks before the start of the course may be waitlisted.
  • Employees must alert Human Resources immediately upon dropping the course, enrolling in a different course, changes in tuition rates, or changes to UConn or State of Connecticut employment. Failure to do so may result in a delay in or ineligibility for reimbursement.
  • Required documentation: employees must provide a “course grade report,” which identifies the student, the attending institution, the semester, and final course grade. Employees must also provide a “paid fee receipt,” which identifies the student, the attending institution, the semester, the itemized course cost, and proof of payment. The University does not accept cancelled checks as proof of payment. Documentation should include the institution’s letterhead or official insignia.
    • Failure to provide required documentation by the application deadline disqualifies the employee for reimbursement.
  • Should an employee receive a grade of “incomplete” at the end of the term, it is the employee’s responsibility to notify Human Resources prior to the deadline for submitting a grade report. Failure to notify Human Resources of an incomplete will result in an ineligible reimbursement application. Failure to resolve an incomplete by the end of the fiscal year will result in an ineligible reimbursement application.

Please note that the Temporary Flexible Schedule (Section B of the application) applies to Management/Confidential employees and UCPEA members. If the course is during your regular work schedule, the temporary flexible schedule must be completed and approved by your supervisor.

Obtain your supervisor’s signature.
 
Application Procedures for P-2, NP-2, NP-3, NP-5 Employees
The Office of the State Comptroller reviews, approves, and processes all classified tuition reimbursement requests.

  • Applications (Form CO-101) for classified tuition reimbursement are available on the OSC website: https://www.osc.ct.gov/manuals/TuitionReimburse/manual.htm.
  • Employees must apply to the reimbursement program at least two weeks, but no more than three months, prior to the start of the class.
  • After review, Human Resources notifies the Office of the State Comptroller of tentatively-approved applications through an “OSC Priority Log.” Employees will also be informed if their application is tentatively approved or denied. The priority Log is not required for NP-6.
  • Following the completion of the course, the employee must provide Human Resources with required documentation.
    • Required documentation: employees must provide a “course grade report,” which identifies the student, the attending institution, the semester, and final course grade. Employees must also provide a “paid fee receipt,” which identifies the student, the attending institution, the semester, the itemized course cost, and proof of payment. The Comptroller’s Office does not accept cancelled checks as proof of payment. Documentation should include the institution’s letterhead or official insignia.
      • Failure to provide required documentation disqualifies the employee for reimbursement.
  • Following review and approval of required documentation by Human Resources, the application, grade, and fee statement are forwarded to the Office of the State Comptroller for processing and payment.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Susan McMahon
hr@uconn.edu
860-486-3034