Purpose

To provide financial assistance for post secondary and/or graduate level courses, which are related to the employee's current job or other career related positions in State government.

 
General Information

Courses must be post-secondary or graduate level taken at a properly accredited educational institution. Non-credited courses, classes or seminars which are job-related may be approved by the Commissioner of Human Resources, whether or not they are provided at a properly accredited educational institution. Mandatory courses that are required by your agency/department are not covered under this program. Courses or degree programs must be related to your current position or another position within Vermont State government. If the course is not related to your current job, you must complete a Career Plan, unless you already have a current one on file with the Department of Human Resources. If you are granted tuition funds, you must provide documentation of successful completion of the approved course(s) to the Tuition Coordinator at the Department of Human Resources within three months of course completion.

 
Eligibility

Classified employees in the non-management and supervisory bargaining units, who have completed original probation, are eligible to apply for tuition reimbursement. Tuition Reimbursement will not be available for Managerial, Confidential, and Exempt employees of the Executive Branch during FY 2010.

Note: Members of the Corrections and State Police bargaining units and non-management employees in the Defender General’s Office are covered under separate programs and should contact their Department HR administrator for more information.
 

Application Process

Complete a Tuition Application and have your department complete their section of the application. If you don't already have a current career plan on file with the Department of Human Resources and the course or degree program is not related to your current position, you must submit a career plan with your application. If the course or degree program is related to your current position and you do not have a career plan on file, please attach a memo from your supervisor certifying that the course is job related.

After the application is complete and any necessary documents are attached, submit the application to the Department of Human Resources via U.S. Mail. For courses that start between January 1 and June 30, applications must be submitted by U.S. Mail and postmarked no earlier than November 7 and no later than November 21. For courses that start between July 1 and December 31, applications must be submitted by U.S. Mail and postmarked no earlier than May 25 and no later than June 7.

 
Expenses Covered by Tuition Reimbursement

Reimbursement covers tuition only - books and fees are not covered. Tuition reimbursement will not exceed 80% of the actual costs, up to $350.00 per credit. When combined with other sources of reimbursement (federal grants or department contribution, for example) the maximum amount of reimbursement to an employee cannot exceed 90% of the total costs for tuition up to the $350.00 limit. An employee may not be reimbursed for more than twelve (12) college credits per fiscal year, and may not be reimbursed for more than two (2) courses, for a maximum of eight (8) credits within a six-month period (July-December, January-June).

 
Distribution Method

Up to two courses may be funded, depending upon available funds. You are required to indicate your priority course in the event that only one course per applicant can be funded. If the demand for tuition reimbursement exceeds the available funds, a lottery system will be used to distribute the remaining funds.

 
Payment Method

There are two types of payment through Tuition Reimbursement: direct pre-payment to the institution and reimbursement to the employee after course completion.  

• Prepay Direct to Educational Institution: The State will prepay its share of tuition directly to the educational institution. Payments are contingent upon successful completion of the course. You must provide documentation of successful completion of the approved course(s) to the Tuition Coordinator at the Department of Human Resources within three months of course completion. If the course is not successfully completed, you will have to repay the State for all funds paid on your behalf. If you fail to register for the course, you must notify the Tuition Coordinator in writing and contact the educational institution to arrange for the prepaid funds to be returned to the state. 
• Reimbursement to Employee: The state will reimburse you upon successful completion of the course. You must provide documentation of successful completion of the approved course(s) and proof of payment to the Tuition Coordinator at the Department of Human Resources.