• Benefit Request Form (PDF)

The University provides an educational benefit for all full-time faculty and staff members. Eligibility for such benefits begins after one-year of full-time employment. If an employee's anniversary date falls within a semester for which they are enrolling, eligibility for the educational benefit applies.

This benefit is available for undergraduate daytime classes, CAP, Weekend University , and non-credit classes. Certification programs of less than two years duration are not included in the educational benefit.

This benefit is also available for graduate classes. Graduate courses that prepare employees for a different career and are not related to their immediate position within the University are taxable for federal and state purposes based upon IRS and State guidelines. In these situations, the graduate course tuition amount in excess of $5,250 per calendar year will be added to an employee's W-2 as taxable income. Employees are responsible for reviewing current tax laws to determine their financial responsibility and how federal tax laws regarding tuition benefits may affect their gross income.

Enrollment in any classes under the terms of the educational benefit is on a space available basis. Employees are expected to attend courses on their own time. An exception may be granted to take one course a semester during work hours if the following conditions are met:

• The efficient operation of the department is not adversely affected as judged by the department supervisor.
• Time off for attending the course is made up within the same week.
• All sections of the course to be taken are scheduled only during the employee's regular work hours and thus he/she cannot take the course after work hours.
• Supervisor has approved the request in writing before the employee has registered.

Individuals participating in the educational benefit are required to meet admission requirements and adhere to admissions procedures. Participants are also subject to all academic and student policies while enrolled. For degree seeking undergraduates, application for financial aid is required, via the filing of a FASFA. In the event that aid is received, whether institutional, federal, state, or outside aid, the amount of the educational benefit will be reduced by the amount of aid received. In all instances the amount of all aid plus benefits received will not exceed the direct cost. Satisfactory academic progress as defined by the University and financial aid criteria must be maintained.

Full-time faculty and staff members are eligible to receive an educational benefit for two courses (credit or non-credit courses) not to exceed eight credits each semester. The approval of the faculty or staff member's immediate supervisor and Vice President is required before registering and is documented on the Carlow University Employee Education Benefit Request Form (PDF).

Subject to the member's obligation to apply for financial aid, the faculty or staff member receives a 97% tuition remission for undergraduate courses and 90% for graduate courses. Any special course fees, student service fees, fees for books, supplies and other required items or fees, must be paid by the staff member. The nature of the course, whether offered as an undergraduate or graduate course, and not the current status of the employee (undergraduate or graduate) will dictate the rate of tuition remission.

If an employee leaves the University during a semester in which an education benefit is being received, the employee may continue until the end of the term if 50% of the course is completed, unless the employee has been dismissed for gross misconduct. If 50% of the course is not completed, the employee is liable for the full tuition if the employee chooses to remain in the course.

Part-Time Staff

Part-time staff members with one year of continuous service and who have worked at least 1,000 hours in the previous anniversary year are eligible to attend one undergraduate or graduate class per semester.

All other provisions for full-time employees as stated above, apply. These benefits do not apply to adjunct faculty.

Family Educational Benefits

The University provides an educational benefit for the dependent children and spouses of all full-time faculty and staff members, and the parents, nieces, nephews, sisters, and brothers of a Sister of Mercy who is a full-time employee of the University. Eligibility for such benefits begins after one-year of full-time employment. The definition of dependent, for purpose of this policy, will follow the IRS guidelines for classification as a dependent. Documentation such as the employee's tax return may be requested as evidence of dependency. The employee is responsible for compliance with IRS guidelines for dependency.

This benefit is available for degree seeking undergraduates pursuing their first bachelor's degree in daytime classes, CAP, Weekend University , and non-credit classes. Certification programs are not included in the education benefit, nor are graduate programs.

Eligible family members wishing to enroll must follow the normal admission procedures and complete an application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FASFA) as well as the Carlow University Employee Education Benefit Request Form. An eligible dependent receives tuition remission according to the following schedule:

This benefit is limited to eight full-time semesters or the corresponding 120 (part-time) credits.

The student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by University and financial aid criteria. In the event that financial aid is received, whether institutional, federal, state, or outside aid, the amount of the educational benefit will be reduced by the amount of the aid received. In all instances the amount of aid plus benefits received will not exceed the direct cost. Any special course fees, room and board fees, student service fees, fees for books, supplies and other required items are not provided for under this benefit and will be the responsibility of the student.

Part-time staff members with greater than five years of continuous service to the University, and who have worked more than 1,000 hours during each of the five years, are eligible for a 50% tuition reduction for their dependents. This benefit does not apply to adjunct faculty. All other policy provisions as apply to full-time faculty and staff members are the same as above.

If the employee leaves the University during a semester in which an education benefit is being received, the employee's eligible family member may continue in classes under the education benefit until the end of the term if 50% of the course is completed. If 50% of the course is not completed the dependent is liable for the full tuition if the dependent chooses to remain in the course.

Should the death of an employee occur while employed at the University, tuition benefits for dependent children of a deceased employee will be honored within 5 years of the employee's death, if the employee met the qualification requirements at the time of the employee's death. The tuition benefits policy that is in effect at the time a dependent of a deceased employee would seek to enroll will apply.

Please consult with the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Financial Aid before applying for this benefit. All requests must be initiated no later than 60 days prior to the first day of class.