In follow-up to recent communications about changes to tuition assistance benefits, we are writing to share important updates. At this time, no further consideration is being given to reducing the number of credit hours covered by the faculty and staff tuition benefit. The maximum will remain unchanged at 10 credit hours.
The timeline for additional tuition benefit changes has been updated. As a result, no changes will be implemented for spring semester 2021. Updates are detailed below.
Effective summer 2021
The changes to tuition assistance that will be effective for summer 2021, as previously communicated, include the following:
Benefit enrollment requirement – Eligible employees will be required to enroll to receive the faculty and staff tuition assistance benefit. The deadline for enrolling will be based on the academic calendar. Enrollment instructions will be available closer to the effective date.
Dual parent enrollment – The dependent tuition assistance benefit covers 75% of the eligible dependent’s general and instructional fees when both parents are eligible Ohio State employees. Both eligible parents will be required to enroll their dependent. Taxation of the benefit will be determined per term by the parent submitting enrollment first. Enrollment instructions will be available closer to the effective date.
Dependent eligibility verification – A dependent eligibility verification process will be added for dependent tuition assistance. The university will require employees to verify each of their dependent’s eligibility in order to receive the dependent tuition assistance benefit. This will apply to both parents if they are eligible for the dual parent dependent tuition assistance benefit. This process will be in addition to the current verification process required for health benefits. More details about the eligibility verification process will be available closer to implementation.
Changes being evaluated for autumn 2021
The following changes are being further evaluated for implementation in autumn 2021 and we will share an update as soon as it is available:
Non-resident fees – The faculty and staff tuition benefit will pay for non-resident fees only when university employment requires residency outside Ohio. Employees will be required to request payment of non-resident fees based on out-of-state residency for employment-related reasons.
One-time forgiveness of fees – No fee adjustments will be paid if an employee drops a course after the deadline. The employee will be responsible for all fee adjustments required by Faculty and Staff Tuition Assistance Plan provisions.
Maximum dollar limits on tuition assistance – Limits are as follows:
- Faculty and staff tuition assistance – $10,500 per semester
- Dependent tuition assistance – $5,250 (one parent); $7,875 (two parents) per semester
Assistance
If you have questions about any of this information, contact HR Connection at hrconnection.osu,.edu, 614-247-myHR(6947), 1-800-678-6010 or via email at HRConnection@osu.edu.