University College | Arts & Sciences

The University provides its faculty and staff and their families with tuition assistance to foster their continuing education. To be eligible, the employee must be a regular full-time benefits-eligible employee who has been employed for one year prior to the first day of classes. To remain eligible, employees must remain enrolled through the completion of the course and receive a passing grade. A grade of incomplete must be converted to a passing grade within 60 days of the end of the semester. For complete details on the University’s tuition assistance program, click here.

Employees – Regular full-time University employees receive 100% tuition remission for University College undergraduate for-credit courses and 50% tuition remission for University College graduate for-credit courses, up to 7 units per semester. Employees regularly working during the day are eligible for evening courses starting at 4pm or later. Employees regularly working during the evening may enroll in courses starting before 4pm. Employees taking Undergraduate courses in University College do not need to submit a form, however employees taking Graduate courses must submit the appropriate Graduate Tuition Assistance form before the first day of classes and be admitted to a degree program. The original is routed to Human Resources (Campus Box 1190) and a copy should be sent to University College (Campus Box 1064). For more information about the employee tuition assistance plan, click here.

1098-T Form: If you have questions about your 1098-T tax form (mailed to you in January if you have taken courses in the year 2007): WU Employee/Students call (314) 935-5274.

Spouse / Domestic Partner – Eligible employees’ spouses and domestic partners receive 50% tuition remission for evening undergraduate for-credit courses; 50% tuition remission for day and evening undergraduate for-credit courses after the employee completes five years of benefit eligible full-time service. The appropriate Spouse / Domestic Partner Tuition Assistance form must be submitted before the first day of classes. The original is routed to Human Resources (Campus Box 1190) and a copy should be sent to University College (Campus Box 1064). For more information about the spouse / domestic partner tuition assistance plan, click here.</a>

Postdoctoral Appointees – individuals appointed under the Postdoctoral Education Policy (effective July 1, 2004) having the titles of Postdoctoral Research Associate and Postdoctoral Research Scholar are eligible for the Postdoctoral Tuition Plan. Qualified individuals receive tuition remission on up to 4 credits per semester of University College undergraduate for-credit coursework. Courses may be taken at any time during the day or evening, but must be undergraduate level (400 and below) and for career development purposes only. Courses may be taxable to Postdoctoral Research Scholars (non-employees). Postdocs must submit the appropriate Postdoctoral Appointee Tuition Assistance form (signed by their PI) to the appropriate person at their School for approval (see the form for details). Click here for more information about the Postdoctoral Appointee tuition assistance plan.

Dependent Child – For more information about the employee dependent tuition assistance plan, click here.

Course Restrictions – Applied Music and Audited courses are not eligible for tuition remission.

Passing Grade Requirement – Employees, Spouses, Domestic Partners, and Postdocs must remain enrolled through the completion of the course and receive a passing grade. A grade of incomplete must be converted to a passing grade within 60 days of the end of the semester. Penalties for failed, incomplete, or dropped courses will be the financial responsibility of the student. Account balances not settled in a reasonable period of time will be automatically payroll deducted.

Other Fees – The tuition benefit plan only covers tuition. Individuals must remit payment via check, credit card, financial aid, or payroll deduction for fees not covered by the benefit plan (books, lab and material fees, etc.). Your registration will be processed upon receipt of payment or approved documentation. Account balances not settled in a reasonable period of time will be automatically payroll deducted.

Leaving the University – If a currently eligible employee terminates his or her employment with the University after classes begin for the academic semester, the employee can retain their tuition benefit for that semester but not for any future semesters.

FORMS
A starred (*) form indicates an interactive form where you can type your information into the fields and print out the form.

Payroll Deduction Form (PDF)
Graduate Employee Job-Related Tuition Assistance Request Form* (PDF)
Graduate Employee Non-Job-Related Tuition Assistance Request Form* (PDF)
Spouse Tuition Assistance Request Form* (PDF)
Domestic Partner Tuition Assistance Request Form* (PDF)
Tuition Assistance Request for Postdoctoral Employees* (MSWORD FILE)
Request for Tuition Assistance for Undergraduate Courses Other than University College Courses* (PDF)
Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing Employee Tuition Assistance Form* (PDF)
Statement of Job Relatedness (for tax purposes) (PDF)

If you have further questions, please contact:
Eligibility for benefits: WU Benefits Coordinator, (314) 935-5759.
Tuition assistance taxation: WU Tax Manager, (314) 935-8335.
Taxes withheld from your paycheck: WU Payroll Representative, (314) 935-5792.
Dependent child tuition benefits: ECS Coordinator, Student Financial Services, (314) 935-5973.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is eligible for these benefits?
The employee must be a regular full-time benefits-eligible employee who has been employed for one year prior to the first day of classes. To remain eligible, employees must remain enrolled through the completion of the course and receive a passing grade. A grade of incomplete must be converted to a passing grade within 60 days of the end of the semester. For complete details on the University’s tuition assistance program, click here.

How much tuition assistance is available for University College Undergraduate For-Credit Courses?

Regular full-time University employees receive 100% tuition remission. Eligible employees’ spouses and domestic partners receive 50% tuition remission. Eligible Postdoctoral Appointees receive 100% tuition remission. Some course restrictions apply.

How much tuition assistance is available for University College Graduate For-Credit Courses?

For University College graduate for-credit courses, regular full-time University employees receive 50% tuition remission.

How many units per semester are covered by the tuition assistance program?

Regular full-time University employees and employees’ spouses and domestic partners can use the tuition assistance program for up to 7 units per semester. Postdoctoral Appointees can use the tuition assistance program for up to 4 units per semester.

Can I take courses that are scheduled at any time?
Employees regularly working during the day are eligible for evening courses starting at 4pm or later. Employees regularly working during the evening may enroll in courses starting before 4pm.

Can I take weekend courses or "intensive" courses that meet for one or two weeks, Monday through Friday?
Yes. If any part of the course meets during regularly scheduled work hours, employees will be required to obtain supervisor approval for your absence from work and must use vacation time.

Are there any course restrictions?
There are very few restrictions. For example, the tuition benefit cannot be used for Applied Music classes, which are structured as one-on-one music lessons between the instructor and student. It also cannot be used for non-credit courses. If you have additional questions about a class, please contact Employee Benefits for clarification prior to enrolling in the class.

Can I audit a course and still receive the tuition assistance benefit?
No, only courses that are taken for credit are covered under the tuition assistance plan.

Where do I find specific information about the University’s tuition assistance programs?

For complete details on the University’s tuition assistance program, click here.

Do I need to complete any paperwork to use the tuition assistance on University College Undergraduate for-credit courses?
Eligible employees who take evening courses generally do not need to complete a form. University College verifies eligibility automatically. However, if an employee is registering for course offered during the day, the supervisor must verify the employee’s regular work hours.

Do I need to complete any paperwork to use the tuition assistance on University College Graduate Courses?
Yes. Before the first day of classes, Eligible employees must complete either the Graduate Employee Job-Related Tuition Assistance Request Form* (PDF) or
Graduate Employee Non-Job-Related Tuition Assistance Request Form* (PDF). Ensure all information is filled out completely, including signatures, and send the original to Human Resources, Campus Box 1190. Please send a copy to University College, Attn: Student Billing, Campus Box 1064.

If I am filling out the Graduate Employee “Job-Related” Tuition Assistance form, do I need to explain how each course is related to my current job? Since I am in a degree program, can I simply justify the course as job-related by stating that I’m in the program?

Employees must explain how each course is specifically related to their current job. Courses required for a degree program are not automatically job-related.

If I am a graduate student, but opt to take an undergraduate course simply for enrichment purposes, am I allowed to claim the 100% undergraduate tuition benefit?
Yes. However, the course cannot be used toward a graduate degree program.

Is tuition assistance available for Employees’ Spouses or Domestic Partners?

Eligible employees’ spouses and domestic partners receive 50% tuition remission for evening undergraduate for-credit courses; 50% tuition remission for day and evening undergraduate for-credit courses after the employee completes five years of benefit eligible full-time service. For more information about the spouse / domestic partner tuition assistance plan, click here.

Do I need to complete any paperwork to use the Spouse / Domestic Partner tuition assistance program?
Yes. Before the first day of classes, fill out the applicable form and send the original to HR at campus box 1190. Send a copy to University College, Attn: Student Billing, Campus Box 1064. Spouse Tuition Assistance Request Form* (PDF) or Domestic Partner Tuition Assistance Request Form* (PDF).

Do I have to re-apply for Employee or Spouse / Domestic Partner tuition assistance benefits every semester?
Yes.

What if my spouse or domestic partner's employer pays all or part of his or her tuition? Can I claim both benefits?
Yes, but not to exceed 100 percent. Washington University will apply the 50 percent towards your spouse or domestic partner's tuition only after coordinating the other benefit. If the other benefit exceeds 50 percent, Washington University's benefit will be reduced.

Is my Spouse / Domestic Partner eligible for tuition assistance benefits for graduate-level classes?
No. The tuition assistance benefits for partners/spouses of eligible employees applies only to undergraduate courses. The Internal Revenue Service rules which provide for spousal education benefits currently only are applicable at the undergraduate level.

Is my Spouse / Domestic Partner eligible for tuition assistance benefits for undergraduate classes taken at another college or university?
No. Tuition assistance benefits for eligible employees and their partner/spouse is limited to courses taken at Washington University.

Is tuition assistance available for Postdoctoral Appointees?
Yes. Individuals appointed under the Postdoctoral Education Policy (effective July 1, 2004) having the titles of Postdoctoral Research Associate and Postdoctoral Research Scholar are eligible for the Postdoctoral Tuition Plan. Qualified individuals receive tuition remission on up to 4 credits per semester of University College undergraduate for-credit coursework. Courses may be taken at any time during the day or evening, but must be undergraduate level (400 and below) and for career development purposes only. Courses may be taxable to Postdoctoral Research Scholars (non-employees). For more information about the Postdoctoral Appointee tuition assistance plan, click here.

Do I need to complete any paperwork to use the Postdoctoral Appointee tuition assistance program?
Yes. Before the first day of classes, fill out the Tuition Assistance Request for Postdoctoral Employees* (MSWORD FILE), have your PI sign it, and send the original to your School representative (see form for details) for approval.

Are any other costs, like lab or materials fees, covered by the University benefit?
No. Only tuition is a covered expense. The employee is responsible for books, fees and other costs.

I'm paying tuition through payroll deduction. How does that work?
Complete the Payroll Deduction Form and send it to University College, Attn: Student Billing, Campus Box 1064. For the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters), the outstanding balance will be deducted in four monthly or eight biweekly installments and will begin on the next available paycheck. During the summer, the outstanding balance will be deducted in three monthly or six biweekly installments and will begin on the next available paycheck.

What if I (or my spouse / domestic partner) drop a course?
The tuition benefit is removed from the student's account, and the employee is responsible for the tuition due. The amount due depends on when the course was dropped (see the appropriate semester refund schedule). If the account balance is not settled in a reasonable period of time, payroll deduction will be initiated.

What if I (or my spouse / domestic partner) fail a course?
The tuition benefit is removed from the student's account, and the employee is responsible for the course tuition. If the account balance is not settled in a reasonable period of time, payroll deduction will be initiated.

What if I (or my spouse / domestic partner) receive an incomplete for a course?
A grade of incomplete must be converted to a passing grade within 60 days of the end of the semester, regardless of any arrangements between the student and instructor. If the incomplete is not changed to passing grade within 60 days of the end of the semester, the tuition benefit is removed from the student's account, and the employee is responsible for the course tuition. If the account balance is not settled in a reasonable period of time, payroll deduction will be initiated.

Can I use the benefit in the future if I fail or drop a class?

Yes, once your student account is in good standing, with all balances paid, you may be eligible to utilize the tuition assistance benefit.

What if I have an outstanding account balance?
Payment is due at the beginning of the semester. If an account balance is not settled in a reasonable period of time, payroll deduction will be initiated.

If I still have more questions, who can I contact?

Eligibility for benefits: WU Benefits Coordinator, 935-5759.

Tuition assistance taxation: WU Tax Manager, 935-8335.

Taxes withheld from your paycheck: WU Payroll Representative, 935-5792.

Dependent child tuition benefits: ECS Coordinator, Student Financial Services, 935-5973.

For questions about eligibility for benefits: WU Human Resources Benefits Assistant - Benefits Department (314) 935-5759.
For questions about how tuition assistance is taxed: Tax Manager - Tax Department (314) 935-8335.

For more information, please visit the Benefits section of the Washington University Human Resources web site.

POSTDOCTORAL TUITION PLAN

• Postdoctoral appointees appointed under the Postdoctoral Education Policy (effective July 1, 2004) having the titles of Postdoctoral Research Associate and Postdoctoral Research Scholar are eligible for the Postdoctoral Tuition Plan only.
• Fee remission covers a maximum of four credit units of course work per semester at University College only.
• Courses may be taken at any time during the day or evening.
• Courses must be undergraduate level (400 and below) and for career development purposes only. Examples of approved classes would be those that promote the career development of a postdoctoral appointee such as English language skills, education, or other areas that relate to a postdoctoral appointee's field.
• Postdocs requesting tuition remission must fill out the Postdoc form, have it signed by their PI and route to the appropriate person at their School for approval. Courses that do not contribute to a postdoctoral appointee's career will not be approved.
• Courses may be taxable to Postdoctoral Research Scholars (non-employees).
• Penalties for dropped courses will continue to be the financial responsibility of the postdoc/student. If a postdoc drops a course and doesn't enroll in another approved course in the same semester, he or she will be assessed the appropriate financial penalty based on the time period and University College's policy.
• Postdocs are required to receive a passing grade in their course.
• There is no dependent, spouse, or graduate level tuition benefit associated with the Postdoctoral Tuition Plan.
• Tuition Assistance Request for Postdoctoral Appointees (MSWORD FILE) (*After this document downloads, type your information into the fields on this interactive form; then print out the form, and obtain the required signatures.)