Tuition Benefits FAQs

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible for the Executive-Branch Tuition Benefits Program?

APPLYING

How many benefits can each eligible employee receive in the 2008-2009 program year?

COVERAGE LIMITS

How many courses can a single benefit cover?

At most schools, how many credits will a single benefit cover?

What is the maximum value of a benefit toward a single non-credit course?

Will a benefit cover fees or textbooks?

COURSE CRITERIA

For the 2008-2009 program year, during what time period must courses start?

DROPPING/FAILING A COURSE

What is the Partnership's policy on paying for a dropped course?

What is the Partnership's policy on paying for a failed course?

CREDIT-BY-EXAMINATION FEE REIMBURSEMENT

What is the maximum amount for Credit-By-Examination Fee Reimbursement for one exam?

What are the four credit-by-examination programs for which members can receive reimbursement?

How many exam fees will the Partnership pay for?

Who is eligible for the Executive-Branch Tuition Benefits Program?

A CSEA-represented state employee who:

• is receiving a New York State paycheck when applying; or
• has been laid off in the past year, has not been rehired in a permanent CSEA-represented position, and is on a Civil Service Preferred List; or
• is on an approved non-disciplinary leave without pay or receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits with proper documentation.  [Return to Questions]

APPLYING

How many benefits can each eligible employee receive in the 2008-2009 program year?

Each eligible employee can receive two tuition benefits (tuition voucher or tuition reimbursement) and an unlimited number of credit-by-exam reimbursements. [Return to Questions]

COVERAGE LIMITS

How many courses can a single benefit cover?

A single benefit covers one course.[Return to Questions]

At most schools, how many credits will a single benefit cover?

A single benefit will cover one course, up to four credits with a maximum value of $181 per credit. [Return to Questions]

What is the maximum value of a benefit towards a single non-credit course?

The maximum value of a benefit towards a single non-credit course is $724. [Return to Questions]

Will a benefit cover fees or textbooks?

No, a benefit will cover tuition only. [Return to Questions]

COURSE CRITERIA

For the 2008-2009 program year, during what time period must courses start?

Any course taken must start between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009 or you must be actively participating in the course sometime between these dates.  [Return to Questions]

DROPPING/FAILING A COURSE

What is the Partnership's policy on paying for a dropped course?

The Partnership must pay a provider for a dropped course if tuition is owed and the student used a voucher. However, a student cannot be reimbursed for a dropped course.  [Return to Questions]

What is the Partnership's policy on paying for a failed course?

The Partnership will pay for failed courses because the Partnership does not want to penalize employees for trying and failing.  [Return to Questions]

CREDIT-BY-EXAMINATION FEE REIMBURSEMENT

What is the maximum amount for Credit-By-Examination Fee Reimbursement for one exam?

$210. [Return to Questions]

What are the four credit-by-examination programs for which members can receive reimbursement?

The four credit-by-examination programs are: CLEP, DANTES, TECEP, and Excelsior College.  [Return to Questions]

How many exam fees will the Partnership pay for?

Unlimited.  [Return to Questions]