By Vivian Byrd
Human Resources/Affirmative Action

The University of Michigan Tuition Support Program (formerly the Tuition Reimbursement Program) has been revised to offer additional benefits, effective for classes beginning May 1, 2000.

One of the most significant changes is the system for payment. Under the revised policy, eligible staff members have the option of receiving tuition support funding up-front, with an automatic reimbursement agreement should the staff member not successfully complete the course as defined in the policy. Previously, staff members would be reimbursed only after completing the course. “We hope this change will remove what I understand was a major impediment to some staff members,” says Provost Nancy Cantor. “The opportunity to invest in professional development needs to be available to interested members of our great staff, regardless of their financial situation.”

As before, eligible staff members must have approval from their supervisor, and the courses must be taken from an accredited institution and be job-related. Staff members will need to provide documentation that they completed the course successfully. Here are a few highlights of the revised policy:

The reimbursement ceiling for non-U-M courses is raised from $600 to $800 per term.

The reimbursement ceiling will be increased automatically each July 31 by a percentage equal to the average percentage increase in resident undergraduate tuition at U-M-Ann Arbor.

For University of Michigan courses, full-time staff members are eligible for 75 percent of the cost of in-state tuition plus registration fees for up to four credit hours per term. Part-time staff members with a 50 percent or greater appointment are eligible for tuition support proportional to their appointment fraction.

The limit on the number of terms for which an eligible staff member may receive tuition in a given year is removed, with the provision that a staff member would need to make a compelling case when all three terms are requested.

The revised policy clarifies that tuition support is available for a second master’s degree.

Last revised in 1993, the tuition support policy has been popular with staff members across campus. “The support provided by our talented and hard-working staff is critical to our ability to fulfill our mission as one of the world’s great institutions of higher education,” Cantor said. “A more accessible and more generous tuition support policy is one way we can show our appreciation for the contributions of our dedicated staff members. We are pleased to be able to make it easier for staff to take advantage of some of the professional development opportunities available in this community.”

The full text of the revised policy is found in the Standard Practice Guide, Section 201.69, available online at www.umich.edu/~spgonlin/. If you have questions about the revised policy, send e-mail to [email protected]. or call Employee Relations, (734) 763-2387. Medical Campus staff members should contact their Human Resources consultant.

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