TUITION AID PROGRAM
1) To qualify for the Tuition
Aid Program, a provider must:
a) Be a regular, full time
employee.
b) Have successfully completed
one year of service.
c) Continue employment at
Community Care on a full time basis while attending an accredited college,
university or technical school and for at least one year after the completion
of the approved course of study.
d) Not be on a Leave of
Absence.
2) To qualify for the Tuition
Aid Program, the course of study must:
a) Lead to improvement in
knowledge and professional skills in the employee�s present position or future
positions with the Agency.
b) Be offered at or through an
accredited college, university or technical/trade school.
c) Be approved by the
employee�s supervisor and the Executive Director or designee BEFORE taking the
course.
d) Not be in conflict with the
employee�s regular work schedule, whenever possible.
e) Not have total payment
provided for the specific course by a scholarship or other financial grant. If
other sources are providing partial payment, the tuition aid to which the
employee is entitled will be reduced by the amount of the grant.
f) Be completed with a passing
grade: A or B or �pass� in a pass/fail situation.
3) Tuition Aid Benefits:
a) 100%
reimbursement up to a maximum of $96.75 per credit hour for an undergraduate
course and $141.00 per credit hour for a graduate course. 100% reimbursement
for completion of a certificate or advanced studies course or program up to a
maximum of $141.00 per CEU.
b) Up
to four academic courses, certificates or advanced study courses per calendar
year, not to exceed 12 credit hours per calendar year.
c) No reimbursement for the
employee�s time in class, travel time to class or time required to study for
the course.
d)
External training opportunities will not be
extended to providers utilizing the Tuition Aid Program.
4) Job performance while taking
academic, certificate or advanced study courses:
a) Any reimbursement of tuition
expenses is dependent on the employee�s continued satisfactory performance of
their regular position duties. Tuition aid may be revoked if an employee�s job
performance is considered substandard by his or her supervisor.
b) Whenever possible Community
Care will permit employees to flex their regular schedule to accommodate
attendance at day, evening, or weekend classes, provided that a 40 hour work
week is maintained and administrative and/or client services are not negatively
impacted.
5) To apply for the Tuition Aid
Program, an employee must:
a) Complete the Tuition Aid
Application which includes at a minimum, the following information:
�
The course title, institution, location, class
schedule and whether the course is being applied towards obtaining an academic
degree and/or for professional certification/licensing.
�
A description of the course, demonstrating how
the course meets criteria for approval and/or for professional
certification/licensing.
�
The amount of the per credit hour or CEU cost to
be reimbursed, and,
�
If applicable, specifications of requested time
off from work for educational leave, including all travel time. (If time off
from work is requested, the provider must include a statement demonstrating
unavailability of the course except during work hours).
b) Submit a new application for
each semester and course of study.
c) Submit the application to
his or her supervisor at least four weeks before the course starts date to
facilitate the application processing and give the employee sufficient notice
in the event the application is denied.
d) Have the application signed,
dated and recommended by his or her supervisor.
e) Forward the completed
application to the Executive Director for final approval.
6) The Executive Director will
send notification of the action taken in writing to the employee. If the
application is denied, this response must note any changes in the application
or conditions for subsequent potential approval.
7) After
successful completion of an approved course, the employee should send to the
Director of Human Resources a copy of the grade that she or he has received, a
copy of the paid course receipt and a copy of the approved application.
Successful Tuition Aid Applicants must complete a term of full-time employment
of not less than one year from the course completion date for which aid was
provided. Those who do not comply with this agreement must refund all aid
received.
8) Depending on your individual status,
tuition aid may be taxable, please make specific inquiries regarding your
individual situation and tax status directly to the IRS or your tax accountant.
9) In the event that allocated
funds for the Tuition Aid Program are depleted prior to the completion of a
given fiscal year, the Executive Director reserves the right to suspend the
Tuition Aid Program. In the event of the suspension of this benefit providers
will be given timely notice to plan accordingly.