Tuition Remission FAQs

Tuition Remission FAQs

What is tuition remission?

Tuition remission is a benefit the university offers to both employees and their dependents the opportunity to take courses tuition free.  The tuition remission benefit has applicable requirements for both employees and dependents as well as restrictions.  

I am an employee and want to take classes for myself. How do I make sure I get my tuition remission?

Once you register for classes, your tuition remission eligibility will be reviewed by business ops and then notification sent to the Bursar for application to the student account.  

Does an employee need to submit a request to use the benefit for themselves? What about a dependent? 

If you are an employee, your employee ID number and student ID number should be the same. Business operations will use university records to review current student enrollment and employment status.  The tuition remission will be applied to your student account, if you are eligible, by the Bursar.  If the tuition remission is for a dependent, you must notify HR by submitting a Dependent Tuition Remission Form after your dependent has registered for their first semester.

Do I pay for tuition up front and then am I reimbursed?

No. Your tuition remission will be applied to your account (or your dependent's account) after you have registered for your classes. Tuition remission covers tuition only, you will still have to pay for any applicable fees.

Why is there a balance after the tuition remission payment?

Tuition remission does not cover fees, including student and bundled fees.  For full time (80%) employees, tuition remission covers 2 courses up to 8 credit hours, if you are enrolled in more than 2 courses, you will need to pay the difference.  Please follow up with the Bursar’s office at 852- 6503 for account related questions.

How do I receive tuition remission for my dependent?

Once your dependent has registered for classes for either their first semester (or the first semester they are eligible to receive tuition remission), you must submit the Dependent Tuition Remission Form.

If I retire from the University, will I still receive tuition remission for myself and my dependents? 

Dependents: If an employee hired prior to July 1, 2011 becomes permanently disabled, retires or dies, his or her children shall continue to be eligible for tuition remission benefits (regardless of length of service).  If an employee hired on or after July 1, 2011 has five years of continuous service and becomes permanently disabled, retires or dies, his or her children shall continue to be eligible for tuition remission benefits.

Retiree: No, however under the KRS 164.2843 “When any person sixty-five (65) years of age or older, who is a resident of the Commonwealth, is admitted and enrolls as a student in any state-supported institution of higher learning in this Commonwealth, the board of trustees of the institution or other appropriate institution officials shall waive all tuition charges and fees for such student, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.” Retirees should contact the Bursar’s office directly.

Basics of Policy:

• All regular 80% FTE or above employees are eligible to take up to two courses (not counting associated labs as separate courses) up to eight credit hours tuition free each semester
• All regular permanent employees working at least 40% FTE but less than 80% FTE are eligible to take up to one course (not counting associated labs as separate courses) up to four credit hours tuition free each semester
• Contract faculty working at least 40% FTE are eligible to take up to one course (not counting associated labs as separate courses) up to four credit hours tuition free each semester
• Dependent children under the age of 26 of regular, faculty or staff at 80% FTE or greater may take courses toward their first undergraduate degree tuition-free or up to 144 credit hours
• Contract faculty (lecturers) are not eligible to use dependent tuition remission for their dependent- regardless of FTE.
• Employee tuition remission pays 100% of in-state undergraduate, graduate, or professional program tuition, including any tuition differential that applies to distance education courses
  • If an employee is a non-resident and charged non-resident tuition- tuition remission will only cover the equivalent of in-state tuition and the student will be responsible for the difference. 
• Dependent tuition remission pays 100% of in-state undergraduate tuition, but shall exclude course fees, graduation fees, or regular student fees and online class additional fees
  • If a dependent is a non-resident and charged non-resident tuition- tuition remission will only cover the equivalent of in-state tuition and the student will be responsible for the difference. 
• You or your dependent do not have to be enrolled in a specific program
• Employees must maintain a 2.0 GPA; Dependents do not have a GPA requirement
• Withdrawals past the 100% drop/add date in the first week of classes may have an effect on future eligibility
• Employees and Dependents can both use tuition remission at the same time