Office of the Provost

Faculty and Unclassified Staff Handbook Chapter 1 -- General Policies

Tuition Assistance Program for Employees, Spouses and Dependents

Beginning the fall 2005 semester, Fort Hays State University will provide tuition assistance (participants are required to pay all applicable fees) for fall and spring semesters for employees, their spouses, and dependents of employees. The definition of each eligible group is provided below along with the general eligibility criteria. Also included is a section regarding application procedure. Be sure to examine the criteria carefully and contact the FHSU Personnel Office with questions regarding eligibility or the Financial Assistance Office for questions regarding specific awards.

General Program Definition and Eligibility

Full-Time Employee – An employee with a contract stipulating work for FHSU of at least ninety (90) percent of full-time in a contract year is considered full-time.

• Employee is not eligible until 12 continuous months of full-time employment have been completed, or completion of an academic year contract in the case of faculty
• Employee must be admitted to the university
• A maximum of 6 credit hours (graduate or undergraduate) per semester is covered
• On-campus and Virtual College credit hours are included
• A 2.0 minimum FHSU undergrad GPA, and a 3.0 graduate GPA must be maintained
• Classes cannot be taken during regular business hours unless there are extenuating circumstances and prior approval is granted by the employee’s supervisor and appropriate VP or dean. Employees should seek approval by submitting an Application for Approval to Attend Class during Work Hours form from the Personnel Office.
• Non-credit workshops, community education, and concurrent enrollment courses are not allowed
• Courses must be taken for professional development purposes that benefit both the student and university

Spouse – Any lawful spouse of an eligible employee of Fort Hays State University

• Spouse must be admitted to the university
• A maximum of 12 undergraduate credit hours, or 9 graduate hours are covered
• Only on-campus courses are included
• A 2.0 minimum FHSU undergrad GPA, and a 3.0 graduate GPA must be maintained
• Workshop, community education, non-credit, and concurrent enrollment classes are not included
• A spouse is not eligible until the employee has completed at least 12 continuous months of full-time employment, or and academic year contract in the case of faculty

Dependent – A dependent is defined as an unmarried natural child, adopted child, stepchild or legal ward of and eligible employee under the age of 25. The dependent may be claimed as a dependent of the employee for income tax purposes based on IRS guidelines. In the case of a legal separation or divorce, a natural or adopted child or legal ward may participate regardless of which parent declares the child as a dependent for income tax purposes. In addition, the dependent must be a high school graduate.

• Dependent student must be admitted to the university
• A maximum of 12 undergraduate credit hours per semester is covered
• Only on-campus courses for credit are included
• A 2.0 minimum FHSU undergrad GPA must be maintained
• Workshop, community education, non-credit, and concurrent enrollment classes are not included
• A dependent is not eligible for tuition assistance until the employee has completed at least 36 continuous months of full-time employment or three consecutive academic year contracts in the case of faculty. The levels of tuition assistance associated with longevity and are outlined below:

 The following table outlines the general eligibility requirements for each assistance program:

Application Procedure

One application for all three programs is available in the FHSU Personnel Office. Complete applications will be reviewed by the Personnel Office to confirm employment and spouse and dependent eligibility. Applications will then be forwarded to the Financial Assistance Office for calculation of scholarship amount and posting to accounts.

Caveats

Awarding of Tuition Assistance Scholarships or any other scholarships may require the adjustment of other types of federal and state aid.

Tuition Assistance benefits may be subject to taxation as earned income by the IRS. Recipients are urged to contact their personal tax advisor for more information.

Tuition assistance under these programs is only for courses that have space available.

The Tuition Assistance program may be modified, adjusted or eliminated without notice by the FHSU President.

Adjustments to class schedules resulting in ineligibility will result in immediate repayment of tuition assistance funds.

Updated 10/31/06

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