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Tuition assistance is available to eligible
employees, their spouse/partners, and their children as follows:
Tuition Plans Criteria
These following criteria are common to all tuition benefit
plans offered by Smith College:
- If you satisfy a service requirement by
the first of the month following the start of classes, you will be considered
to have satisfied the service requirement for that semester.
- If you meet the eligibility requirement
by the first of the month following the start of classes, you will be considered
to have satisfied the eligibility requirement for that semester.
- If your eligibility changes midterm, after the
first of the month following the start of classes, your benefit will not be prorated.
- If your eligibility changes prior to
the first of the month following the start of classes, your benefit will be prorated
or terminated accordingly.
- If both you and your spouse/partner are
college employees, your family is entitled to only one tuition benefit per eligible
child at any given time.
- Tuition assistance is pro-rated if you are part-time.
Forms
Tuition Assistance Forms are
available online.
Taxability of Tuition Benefits
For all the programs described here, please consult
with your tax advisor regarding the taxability of tuition benefits. The Office of
Human Resources may provide information regarding current legislation on the taxability
of tuition benefits.
Tuition Assistance for Employees
Tuition assistance is available to eligible employees
who enroll in academic courses both at Smith College and at other colleges and universities.
The maximum number of courses referred to in each of the following sections applies
to the combination of all the courses for which you receive a tuition benefit, whether
the courses are taken at Smith College or at other colleges.
Tuition Waiver for Smith College Courses
Eligibility: If you are employed in a regular
or limited-term position of half time or more, you are eligible to receive tuition
assistance for Smith College courses. If you work less than half time or hold a temporary
position, you are not eligible.
Waiting period: You must complete one
full year of consecutive service at the college prior to participation
in this plan. If you satisfy the one-year service requirement by the first of the
month following the start of classes, you will be considered to have satisfied
the service requirement for that semester.
Eligibility of courses: Providing the other terms
of this plan are met, tuition charges will be waived for any Smith College undergraduate
or graduate course provided that there is space available in the class and the instructor
gives his/her approval to enroll. Tuition assistance under this plan is not available
for non-Smith College courses (except for Five College courses taken by Smith degree
candidates), School for Social Work courses, or courses in which the instructor is
paid on the basis of the number of students registered in the course.
Number of tuition-free courses: If you work full –time, you may
enroll in two Smith College courses or eight credit hours per semester tuition
free, although only one course may be taken during work hours. Part-time employees
may enroll in either one course or four credit hours per semester tuition free;
or two courses per semester with a prorated tuition waiver (i.e., there will
be some cost for each course).
Tuition waiver additional fees/costs: Once your
tuition application has been received by the Office of Human Resources, a pending
credit will show on your tuition bill for the course(s) in which you have registered.
If you add or drop a course, you must notify the Office of Human Resources so that
the pending credit may be adjusted. The tuition waiver credit will not actually be
applied to your tuition bill until after the add/drop date for that semester. There
is no charge for the usual application and registration fees. However, you are responsible
for paying for books, course materials, and all other fees.
Course attendance during work hours: If, in the
judgment of the department head and the Office of Human Resources, a course is deemed
job related, you may be granted excused time of up to four hours per week to attend
one course which meets during your work hours. A job-related course is defined as
one in which the course content is of direct and significant assistance to you in
the performance of your present duties and responsibilities in the department in
which you currently work. Job-relatedness is determined on a course-by-course basis.
Time off to attend a non-job-related course which meets
during your work hours may be granted on a make-up time basis. The time will be made
up through arrangements between you and your supervisor or department head in a manner
that is least disruptive to the normal operation of the department.
Time off from work to attend a course, whether on an
excused or make-up time basis, will be granted at the discretion of the department
head based on the work load and schedule in the department, and will not exceed four
hours per week. Interruption or rearrangement of work hours will be granted for only
one course per semester.
If you work part –time, you are expected to enroll
in courses which meet outside of your regularly scheduled work hours; only in unusual
circumstances will a part-time employee's work schedule be rearranged to allow course
attendance.
Enrollment procedures: You may view the Smith
College Course Catalogue at http://www.smith.edu/registrar/schedules.php,
or pick up a copy from the Office of College Relations. After selecting a course,
obtain an application form from the Office of Human Resources. The deadline to submit
course applications for the fall semester is August 15 (for employees with a bachelor’s
degree) or August 31 (for employees without a bachelor’s degree). The deadline
for spring semester courses is December 1st.
Unless you are enrolled as a degree candidate in the
Ada Comstock Scholars program or in a Smith College graduate degree program, enrollment
will be based on space availability after traditional student enrollment has been
completed.
Smith College degree programs: If you wish to enroll as a candidate for a Smith College
undergraduate or graduate degree, you must make application to and be accepted by
the Ada Comstock Scholars Program or the Graduate Study Office. All tuition assistance
for employees who are enrolled in degree programs is covered under this plan; additional
financial aid is not available.
Tax issues: Please consult with your tax advisor
regarding the taxability of tuition benefits. The Office of Human Resources may provide
information regarding current legislation on the taxability of tuition benefits.
Tuition Reimbursement for Courses
at Other Colleges/Universities
Eligibility: If you are employed in a regular
or limited-term position of half time or more, you are eligible to receive tuition
reimbursement for courses taken at other colleges or universities. If you work less
than half time or hold a temporary position, you are not eligible.
Waiting Period: You must complete one
full year of consecutive service at the college prior to participation
in this plan. If you satisfy the one-year service requirement by the first of the
month following the start of classes, you will be considered to have satisfied
the service requirement for that semester.
Eligibility of courses: Reimbursement will be
made for the following courses and degree programs:
- GED preparation courses and exam fees;
- job-related courses taken for academic credit;
- courses that can be applied toward an associate's
or bachelor's degree, if the degree program is job- or career-related;
- courses taken for credit that are part of
an academic degree program that improves your current job skills or which relates
to your career at Smith College.
Normally, an Associate of Arts or Bachelor of Arts degree
will be considered job- or career-related. Other degree programs will be reviewed
on a case-by-case basis.
Courses must be taken at an accredited college or university.
The plan does not cover the cost of independent study, thesis/dissertation, or internship
credits.
Please consult with the Office of Human Resources if
you have any questions regarding the reimbursement eligibility of a course.
Tuition reimbursement: Eligible employees may
receive a reimbursement of tuition fees up to a maximum of $1,500 per fiscal year.
The maximum reimbursement will be prorated for part-time employees.
Number of reimbursable courses: If you work full–time,
you may be reimbursed for up to two courses per semester or term, not to exceed four
courses per fiscal year (July through June). If you work part –time, you may
be reimbursed for either one course per semester or term, not to exceed two courses
per fiscal year, or two courses per semester or term on a prorated basis, not to
exceed four courses per fiscal year.
In certain situations, department heads may supplement the tuition benefits offered
under this plan. In such situations, the course must be directly related to a particular
project or to the employee's current position.
Reimbursable expenses include course fees and mandatory
or educational service fees; no reimbursement will be made for registration, laboratory
fees, late fees, books, and other course materials costs.
Course attendance: Employees who receive tuition
reimbursement to attend classes at other colleges and universities are expected to
do so outside of regular work hours.
Application and reimbursement procedures: Application
prior to the beginning of classes is not required. Tuition reimbursement depends
on the successful completion of the course. Grades for successful completion are "C" or
better for undergraduate courses and "B" or better for graduate courses.
The tuition benefit will be added to other outside support
in an amount not to exceed the total tuition charge. Any additional educational assistance
(e.g., VA benefits) must be noted on the tuition reimbursement application form.
Submit a tuition reimbursement application form to the
Office of Human Resources within 90 days of the successful completion of the course.
This application must be accompanied by your grade for the course and an itemized tuition
bill. You will normally be reimbursed in your next paycheck following receipt of
this documentation. No reimbursement will be made to employees who leave the college
before completing the course.
Tax issues: Please consult with your tax advisor
regarding the taxability of tuition benefits. The Office of Human Resources may provide
information regarding current legislation on the taxability of tuition benefits.
Spouses/Partners at Smith College
Tuition assistance for courses taken at Smith College
is available to the spouses and same-sex domestic partners of eligible employees.
Eligibility: If you are employed in a regular
position of half time or more, your spouse or same-sex domestic partner is eligible
for tuition assistance for courses at Smith College. If you hold a less than half-time,
limited-term, or temporary position, you are not eligible.
Waiting Period: You must complete one
full year of consecutive service at the college prior to your spouse or
partner's participation in this plan. If you satisfy the one-year service requirement
by the first of the month following the start of classes, you will be considered
to have satisfied the service requirement for that semester.
Eligibility of courses: Providing the other terms
of this plan are met, tuition charges will be waived for any Smith College undergraduate
or graduate course provided that there is space available in the class and the instructor
gives his/her approval to enroll. Tuition assistance under this plan is not available
for non-Smith College courses (except for Five College courses taken by Smith College
degree candidates), School for Social Work courses, or courses in which the instructor
is paid on the basis of the number of students registered in the course.
Number of tuition-free courses: If your spouse
or partner is a degree candidate, at Smith College or elsewhere, s/he may enroll
in an unlimited number of Smith College courses (assuming the spouse or partner is
making satisfactory progress toward attaining his or her degree). Spouses and partners
who are taking non-degree-related courses may enroll in up to a total of four courses
or 16 credit hours per academic year, whichever is more.
Tuition waiver additional fees/costs: Once your
spouse/partner tuition application has been received by the Office of Human Resources,
a pending credit will show on his/her tuition bill for the course(s) that s/he has
registered for. If s/he adds or drops a course, you must notify the Office of Human
Resources so that the pending credit may be adjusted. The tuition waiver credit will
not actually be applied to a tuition bill until after the add/drop date for that
semester. There is no charge for the usual application and registration fees. However,
your spouse/partner is responsible for paying all other fees (e.g., laboratory fees,
late fees, music performance fees, etc.), books, and other course materials costs.
Enrollment procedures: Your spouse/partner may
view the Smith College Course Catalogue at http://www.smith.edu/registrar/schedules.php,
or pick up a copy from the Office of College Relations. After selecting a course,
s/he must obtain an application form from the Office of Human Resources. The deadline
to submit course applications for the fall semester is August 15 (for spouses/partners
with a bachelor’s degree) or August 31 (for spouses/partners without a bachelor’s
degree). The application deadline for spring semester courses is December 1st.
Unless your spouse/partner is enrolled as a degree candidate
in the Ada Comstock Scholars program or in a Smith College graduate degree program,
enrollment will be conditional based on space availability after traditional student
enrollment has been completed.
Smith College degree programs: If your spouse/partner
wishes to enroll as a candidate for a Smith College undergraduate or graduate degree,
s/he must make application to and be accepted by the Ada Comstock Scholars Program
or the Graduate Study Office. All tuition assistance for spouses/partners who are
enrolled in degree programs is covered under this plan; additional financial aid
is not available.
Tax issues: Please consult with your tax advisor
regarding the taxability of tuition benefits. The Office of Human Resources may provide
information regarding current legislation on the taxability of tuition benefits.
College Tuition Assistance
For Children
The college offers three types of undergraduate tuition
assistance for college-age children:
- grants for children attending other colleges
and universities;
- grants for daughters attending Smith College;
- Tuition Exchange Scholarships at participating
schools.
You may receive only one type of tuition assistance
per child in any given semester. Tuition assistance grants are not given for graduate
study or summer courses.
Tuition Grants at Other Colleges
Eligibility: If you are employed in a regular
position of half time or more, you are eligible to receive college tuition grant(s)
for your eligible child(ren). If you hold a less than half-time, limited-term, or
temporary position, you are not eligible.
Waiting period: Employees hired prior to July 1, 2010 must complete three full years of consecutive service in a benefit eligible position at the college prior to participation in this plan. Employees hired on or after July 1, 2010 must complete five full years of consecutive service in a benefit eligible position at the college prior to participation in this plan. If you satisfy the service requirement by the first of the month following the start of classes, you will be considered to have satisfied the service requirement for that semester. The waiting period will be waived if you come to Smith College from a college or university where you were eligible for a similar tuition benefit. Your prior eligibility must be documented in writing by your former employer.
Child eligibility: Tuition grants are available
for a birth, adopted, or stepchild of yours, your spouse, or your same-sex domestic
partner. The child must be unmarried and under age 24 and must qualify as your dependent
for tax purposes in the current calendar year.
The child must be enrolled as a full-time student in
an undergraduate degree program at an accredited two- or four-year college or university.
Each child may receive up to a maximum of four years of assistance. Up to two
years of assistance will be proved for a child enrolled in a two-year program; up
to four years of assistance will be provided if the child is enrolled in a four-year
program.
Please consult with the Office of Human Resources if
you have questions regarding the full-time status requirements.
Grant amount: The tuition grant is equal to 40% of the college's or university's tuition and mandatory educational service fees, up to an annual maximum of $14,423.20 for employees hired prior to July 1, 2010. For employees hire on or after July 1, 2010, the tuition grant is equal to 40% of the colleges or university’s tuition and mandatory educational service fees, up to an annual maximum of $10,000.00. Tuition assistance
is prorated if you work part time. The benefit is not applied to room and board, laboratory fees, late fees, music performance fees, books, or other course materials costs. The total compensation of the Smith College grant and any other grants or scholarships your child receives in a given academic year cannot exceed 100% of tuition.
Application and payment procedures: When the
term tuition bill arrives, visit the Office of Human Resources to pick up an application
or visit http://www.smith.edu/hr/forms.php. Complete the
application, attach a copy of the itemized tuition bill, and mail or deliver it to
the Office of Human Resources. Grants are mailed directly to the child’s school,
generally within 10 days of when the application is received.
Change in status: Once a tuition grant payment
has been made on your child's behalf, it is your responsibility to notify the Office
of Human Resources if any of the following occur: (1) the student withdraws or takes
a leave from school; (2) the student obtains his/her undergraduate degree; or (3)
the student ceases to be your tax dependent.
Tax issues: Please consult with your tax advisor
regarding the taxability of tuition benefits. The Office of Human Resources may provide
information regarding current legislation on the taxability of tuition benefits.
Tuition Assistance for Children
at Smith
Eligibility: If you are employed in a regular
position of half time or more, you are eligible to receive tuition assistance at
Smith College for your eligible child(ren). If you work less than half-time or hold
a limited-term or temporary position, you are not eligible.
Waiting period: Employees hired prior to July 1, 2010 must complete three full years of consecutive service in a benefit eligible position at the college prior to participation in this plan. Employees hired on or after July 1, 2010 must complete five full years of consecutive service in a benefit eligible position at the college prior to participation in this plan. If you satisfy the service requirement by the first of the month following the start of classes, you will be considered to have satisfied the service requirement for that semester. The waiting period will be waived if you come to Smith College from a college or university where you were eligible for a similar tuition benefit. Your prior eligibility must be documented in writing by your former employer.
Child eligibility: Tuition grants at Smith College
are available for a birth, adopted, or stepchild of yours, your spouse, or your same-sex
domestic partner. The child must be unmarried and under age 24 and must qualify as
your dependent for tax purposes in the current calendar year.
The child must be enrolled as a full-time student in
an undergraduate Smith College degree program. Tuition grants are not awarded to
children in Smith College graduate degree or School for Social Work programs.
Please consult with the Office of Human Resources if
you have questions regarding the full-time status requirements.
General information: There are three tuition
benefit options for children who wish to attend Smith College:
(1) Your daughter may attend Smith College as a full-time
student to pursue an undergraduate degree. She must apply and be accepted through
the normal admissions process for traditional undergraduate students. This benefit
also applies if your daughter participates in a Smith College sponsored off-campus
program (e.g., Junior Year Abroad Program).
(2) A daughter who is enrolled in a degree program at
another college may attend Smith College as a full-time visiting student for a semester
or a year. She would apply through the normal admissions process for visiting students.
(3) A daughter or son who is enrolled in a degree program
at another college may enroll on a part-time basis in Smith College courses. There
is a limit of eight credits per semester, or sixteen credits in total per year. Your
son or daughter would submit a letter to the Registrar’s Office requesting
enrollment on a part-time basis.
Grant amount: The tuition benefit is equal to
60% of Smith College tuition for any of the options described above. Tuition assistance
is prorated if you work part time. The benefit is not applied to room and board,
laboratory fees, late fees, music performance fees, books, or other course materials
costs. The student would not be eligible for any other Smith scholarship program including the Northampton tuition grant, STRIDE merit scholarship or Zollman Scholarship.
Application and payment procedures: Call the
Office of Human Resources to request an application. Following receipt and approval
of your application, your child's tuition bill will be credited with the appropriate
tuition waiver.
Student housing policy: The Dean of the College’s
office has instituted the following housing policies for daughters enrolled as regular
or visiting students and participating in the Tuition Assistance Plan at Smith:
- If your daughter wishes to live on campus,
she must apply to the Student Affairs Office by June 1 for on-campus housing.
Housing assignments are made in late August on a space-available basis.
- Daughters admitted under the Early Decision
Plan are assigned to on-campus housing before daughters who are admitted under
the Regular Decision Plan.
- Room and board are prorated from the date
of your daughter's move if she moves on campus after the beginning of classes.
Once living in a college house, the daughters of employees follow the same housing
procedures as all other students.
Tax issues: Please consult with your tax advisor
regarding the taxability of tuition benefits. The Office of Human Resources may provide
information regarding current legislation on the taxability of tuition benefits.
Tuition Exchange Program
Smith College is a member of the Tuition Exchange Program
(TEP), a private consortium of colleges and universities nationwide that offers tuition
exchange scholarships to children of employees of those member institutions. Smith
College offers the children of eligible employees an opportunity to apply for tuition
exchange scholarships for study at other participating institutions. A current listing
of member colleges and universities is available from the Office of Human Resources.
The number of scholarships available in any given year is determined in part by the
number of students who in turn attend Smith College as participants in the program.
One of the fundamental principles of our partnership
with TEP is that member colleges and universities can set their own policies and
procedures for determining eligibility and conferring Tuition Exchange scholarships
to students sent on the exchange as well as determining the requirements for students
received or hosted. Eligibility for Tuition Exchange, which is restricted to family
members of faculty and staff, is determined by the employing (home) institution.
The employment status, years of service for eligibility, priority status, or limitations
for families seeking to send more than one family member are all established by the
home exporting institution.
Eligibility: If you are employed in a regular
position of half time or more, you are eligible to apply for a Tuition Exchange scholarship
for your eligible child(ren). If you work less than half time or hold a limited-term
or temporary position, you are not eligible to apply.
Waiting period: Employees hired prior to July 1, 2010 must complete three full years of consecutive service in a benefit eligible position at the college prior to participation in this plan. Employees hired on or after July 1, 2010 must complete five full years of consecutive service in a benefit eligible position at the college prior to participation in this plan. If you satisfy the service requirement by the first of the month following the start of classes, you will be considered to have satisfied the service requirement for that semester. The waiting period will be waived if you come to Smith College from a college or university where you were eligible for a similar tuition benefit. Your prior eligibility must be documented in writing by your former employer.
Child eligibility: Applications for a Tuition
Exchange scholarships may be made for a birth, adopted, or stepchild of yours, your
spouse, or your same-sex domestic partner. The child must be unmarried and under
age 24 and must qualify as your dependent for tax purposes in the current calendar
year.
Applicant selection: Eligibility for the Tuition
Exchange Program guarantees that your dependent child may submit an application for
a scholarship; it does not guarantee that their application will be selected for
submission or that a school of their choice will award them a scholarship.
Scholarship awards: The value of the scholarship
is generally the full tuition of the college attended or the amount determined by
The Tuition Exchange, Inc. for that academic year, whichever is less. Scholarships
will be awarded based on two academic years of study or on the student's expected
graduation date, whichever is shorter. Tuition Exchange scholarships are limited
to one dependent child in an employee’s family.
Scholarships are not given for graduate or professional
study, non-degree study, or work toward a second undergraduate degree. Tuition Exchange
scholarship recipients must remain in good academic and financial standing with the
college they are attending.
Deadlines: Applications must be submitted to
Human Resources by December 1st. Written notification of your application
selection status will be sent by December 15. The deadline for notifying the Office
of Human Resources of your acceptance or decline of a Tuition Exchange Scholarship
is May 1st.
Tax issues: Please consult with your tax advisor
regarding the taxability of tuition benefits. The Office of Human Resources may provide
information regarding current legislation on the taxability of tuition benefits. |
