SUE Tuition Waiver Program
The State University Employee (SUE) Tuition Waiver Program provides University
and Research Foundation employees with official forgiveness of part of the
tuition for courses taken within the SUNY system.
ELIGIBILITY
All University and Research Foundation non-student employees are eligible. Employees must be expected to be on the payroll for the duration of the
course(s) covered by the waiver as well as a reasonable expectation that their employment will continue beyond the course duration so that the University, in addition to the employee, will benefit from the knowledge acquired.
COVERED EXPENSES
Only credit-bearing courses taken at the University at Albany or other state-operated SUNY campus are covered. Non-credit courses, courses taken at community colleges, and course audits are not covered. Courses must be related to the employee's current position or increase the employee's opportunity for advancement within the University. Only two semesters of dissertation credits per employee will be covered.
Tuition only may be waived; employees are responsible for all fees including
the University fee. Employees must satisfactorily complete courses (obtain a
grade of D or better) to retain their tuition waiver. Employees who fail or
drop courses are ineligible for a tuition waiver and are responsible for any
charges billed by the instructing campus.
AMOUNT OF WAIVER
The amount waived is contingent upon available funding. The usual
reimbursement rate is up to 50% of up to six credits per semester for part
time employees, and up to 50% of up to eight credits for full time
employees.
All waivers are granted based
on the NYS undergraduate resident rate (effective Fall 2004).
COORDINATION WITH OTHER TUITION SUPPORT PROGRAMS
University employees may also be eligible for tuition
assistance through negotiated programs. Your SUE waiver will be adjusted
accordingly if you receive other tuition assistance for the same credits.
Employees represented by CSEA may take advantage of a
union-sponsored program – the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and
Training program – which entitles employees to one free course per year at
participating institutions, or reimbursement of tuition expenses for one
course at non-participating institutions (maximum payment is based on SUNY
undergraduate tuition rate). We encourage employees to use this program in
lieu of the SUE program where possible, in order to maximize the tuition
support they receive. Employees taking more than one course should apply
through the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training program, and
then through the SUE program for the remaining courses. Further information
on the NYS & CSEA Partnership is available from the Office of Human Resources
Management.
Employees represented by UUP are eligible to take one
SUNY course per semester tuition-free on a space-available basis. Further
information on this program is available from the Registrar’s Office at
437-3759. Employees are encouraged to use the UUP program for their first
course, and the SUE program for other courses.
Employees represented by PEF have a union-sponsored
program available, which provides a voucher covering up to $600 of tuition
costs per semester at participating institutions, or reimbursement of 50
percent of expenses at non-participating institutions, subject to funding
availability. Contact the Office of Human Resources Management for details.
Management/Confidential employees may, through a program
administered by the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, receive tuition
reimbursement of 75 percent of expenses subject to a $1,500 annual maximum.
Contact the Office of Human Resources Management for details.
Employees represented by NYSCOPBA have a union-sponsored
program available, which provides a voucher covering up to $600 of tuition
costs per semester at participating institutions, or reimbursement of 50
percent of expenses at non-participating institutions, subject to funding
availability. Contact the Office of Human Resources Management for details.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Application forms are
available from the Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) – Employee
Benefits Section. All application forms contain a cover sheet of
instructions. The employee, the supervisor, and the Dean or Director (as
applicable) must complete the appropriate portions of the application and
cover sheet prior to submission to OHRM. There are specific deadlines for
each semester that may be obtained from our website at http://hr.albany.edu/content/sue.asp#deadlines.
As a general rule, the deadline for fall is mid-July, spring is early
December, and summer is early May. Due to funding limitations, applications
received after established deadlines will not be accepted. Employees will be
promptly notified by letter as soon as action has been taken on their
application.
TAXABILITY OF TUITION SUPPORT
Federal law provides that tuition assistance for graduate level courses is
subject to federal and state income tax, and social security and Medicare
taxes, unless the courses for which tuition support is provided are related to
the employee’s current job.
DEADLINES
-
Summer 2008 4/25/2008
-
Fall 2008 8/8/2008
-
Spring 2009 12/5/2008
Questions regarding tuition support programs may be directed to 437-4702
(Training Section) or 437-4700 (main OHRM number).
Top
Training Section
Office of Human Resources Management
University at Albany
Albany, NY 12222
(518) 437-4702 (Voice) 437-4731 (Fax)
Office Hours: M-F, 8:30am to 5:00pm, Summers, 8:00am - 4:00pm
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