Public Employee Press

Tuition reimbursement increased to $800

The maximum reimbursement under the union’s Tuition Reimbursement Program has been increased to $800 per calendar year from $700 beginning on Jan. 1, 2009.

“Education costs and fees have been escalating in almost every college and university our members attend,” said DC 37 Education Fund Administrator Barbara Kairson.

“The Fund trustees felt it wasessential to increase the assistance we provide,” she said.

The Tuition Reimbursement Program reimburses tuition and fees for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate courses at accredited colleges and universities up to the maximum of $800 (which may be a single payment) per calendar year for eligible members who meet all the requirements of the program.

Covered members can also be reimbursed for noncredit or job-related courses taken in technical, business or secretarial school or classes given by a professional association or taken online.

Conferences or test prep courses are only reimbursable if work-related. The tuition reimbursement benefit does not cover life experience credits.

To be reimbursed, members must pass the course. Those who fail, withdraw or receive an incomplete will not be reimbursed for that course.
Members who take a course for credit must receive a grade of C or better to be eligible for reimbursement.

Applicants who take business or trade school courses must also successfully complete the course to receive reimbursement.

You must apply for other sources of aid if you want to be reimbursed by the union. The program requires proof ofapplication for other financial aid. The amount that will be reimbursed is the difference between thetuition and registration fees that the member has paid and the amount of other aid received, up to $800 per calendar year.

This benefit applies only to the covered member. Spouses and dependent children or other dependents are not eligible for education benefits.