Employee Tuition Assistance Policy

Purpose

To establish a policy for a tuition assistance program

Definitions

Statements

Empire State University supports the efforts of individual employees to improve their job-related skills and knowledge, and to acquire the education necessary to enhance their skills or prepare for career-related promotional opportunities. The SUNY employee tuition assistance/reimbursement programs (SUNY ETP) represents elements of the university’s investment in its workforce. 

Following is information regarding these and other tuition assistance and reimbursement programs available to university employees, including research foundation employees. Additional information on these programs can be obtained by contacting the office(s) or visiting the website noted with each program description. Information on available financial aid can be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid office at www.sunyempire.edu/financialaid or financialaid@sunyempire.edu. 

SUNY Employee Tuition Program

A specified allocation for this program is provided each fiscal year to the university through state appropriation for awards of part or all the tuition at a state-operated campus (books and fees are not covered through this program). The waiver is prorated based upon the amount of allocation and the number of applications received each term. Application is made through submission of form B-140W, available in the forms section on the human resources webpage in MySUNYEmpire.

SUNY Employee Tuition Reimbursement Program:
A reimbursement of tuition paid by the employee to other than a state-operated campus (e.g., SUNY community colleges, private universities and non-SUNY public universities). Reimbursement is based uponwill not exceed the applicable SUNY undergraduate or graduate New York state resident rate, up to a maximum of 4 credits per course. Funding is available from a limited central allocation established each fiscal year for this purpose. Application is made through submission of form B-140R, available in the forms section on the human resources webpage in MySUNYEmpire. 

For both programs, there is a maximum allowance of three courses per year (up to 4 credits per course), one course per term, and a maximum of 12 credits per fiscal year. Award amounts may be prorated based upon funding availability. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• An employee must be employed by the university in a permanent line for at least six months, working half-time or more and must be an employee at the time of course completion
• A part-time (50 percent or more) employee’s tuition assistance will be pro-rated to the full-time rate
• Union-sponsored funds and other federal and state tuition grant programs must be used, if eligible, prior to applying for SUNY employee tuition assistance/reimbursement.
• Proof of satisfactory course completion must be provided to be eligible for future assistance
• Employees must apply for tuition assistance for the current term during the announced application acceptance period. Reimbursements for previous terms will not be considered. 
• Additional requirements include:

1. Management/Confidential (MC) and Research Foundation (RF) Employees
   • • • An MC or RF employee is required to use the OER (Office of Employee Relations) tuition reimbursement program which covers up to $2,000 per year prior to applying for the SUNY EPTs. Complete program guidelines and applications are available at https://goer.ny.gov/managementconfidential-mc-training-programs. 

Classified Service Employees (CSEA Represented)

1. • • employee is required to use CSEA tuition vouchers (2 per year) prior to applying for the SUNY Employee Tuition Program (B140). The application for this voucher and other information is at https://nyscseapartnership.org/tuition-vouchers-and-reimbursements
     • after using CSEA tuition vouchers, the employee is eligible for tuition assistance/reimbursement through the SUNY Employee Tuition Program (B140), as previously noted.
       
       
2. Classified Service Employees (CSEA Represented) 
   
   • A CSEA-represented employee is required to use CSEA tuition vouchers (2 per year) prior to applying for the SUNY ETPs. The application for this voucher and other information is at https://nyscseapartnership.org/tuition-vouchers-and-reimbursements. 
   • After using CSEA tuition vouchers, the employee is eligible for tuition assistance/or reimbursement through the SUNY EPTs if they meet the eligibility requirements of the program. 

Applicable Legislation and Regulations

Related References, Policies, Procedures, Forms and Appendices

Form B-140W, available in the forms section on the Human Resources webpage on MySUNYEmpire. (log in, employees only). 

SUNY Tuition Schedule 

SUNY Union Contracts