Masters Educational Assistance Eligibility Guidelines

By encouraging the professional and personal development of Tarleton employees, this masters program is designed to invest in and assist employees further their knowledge, skills, and job effectiveness.

Eligibility: Full-time, budgeted employees at Tarleton as qualified below. This program is applicable to the pursuit of a first master degree only,

Employees

1. 100% of eligible tuition and fees will be paid on enrollment
2. Employee must be full-time for at least 12 months prior to starting the degree program, must have satisfactory performance evaluations throughout Tarleton employment, and must not be on a performance improvement plan
3. Initial application process requires a professional growth plan
   • How does completing the master’s degree relate to your current role at Tarleton or your intended career path at Tarleton?
   • How will the additional education improve your effectiveness in your current role or prepare you for a future role?
4. To receive the benefit, employee must be admitted to a master’s degree program at Tarleton, be in good academic standing, and enroll in courses which are part of the degree program
5. Waiver request must be submitted before the payment deadline for the semester to be covered

Tuition and Enrollment

1. Tuition and enrollment-related fees paid at the time of enrollment
2. Employee will reimburse 100% of tuition to the University for any course not completed with a passing grade
   • A passing grade is considered to be earned if the employee receives graduate degree credit for the course, with an A, B, or C grade
   • Courses that are retaken are not eligible for the waiver
3. Benefit will cease if employee is no longer making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree
4. Tuition will be considered a forgivable loan to employee
   • 50% of tuition will be forgiven one year after degree completion
   • Remaining 50% of tuition forgiven two years after degree completion
   • If employee voluntarily leaves Tarleton employment prior to forgiveness dates, employee will reimburse any outstanding amounts
5. Maximum eligibility of 6 hours per semester and 18 hours per year
6. Course attendance and assignment work must not interfere with work obligations, job performance or attendance.
   • For any courses offered during regularly scheduled work hours, employee must make up those hours, unless the employee’s supervisor approves release time.
7. Tuition and fee waivers in excess of IRS limits, currently $5,250 per calendar year, will be considered taxable income and added to the employee’s taxable wages

Approvals

Must be approved by Dean/AVP and VP of the employee’s division to verify that the degree relates to the employee current role or intended career path.

Must be approved by EVP of Finance & Administration to verify funding.

Application deadline is 5 business days before the start date of the semester.

For Tarleton employee eligibility questions, contact [email protected]. For other operational questions, contact [email protected] .