Tuition Reimbursement Program

Benefit Awareness

Want to go to school to increase your opportunities to advance?
Want to prepare yourself with skills for the 21st century?
Want to brush up on some of your math or computer skills?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, there are funds available to help employees go back to school.

You are eligible if...
• you have been an employee for six continuous months
• you are a full-time or part-time employee with
32 or more budgeted hours per pay period
(If you do not meet this criteria, you may still be eligible if you work an average of 32 or more hours per pay period over 6 months, i.e. - PRN)
• the course is offered by an accredited college and gives credit for the course.

What do I get?
For Undergraduate Degree programs:
Full-time employees receive up to $2,500 each calendaryear for approved classes. There is no limit on the number of years or the number of courses.

Part-time employees receive a prorated amount. If your position is budgeted for 20 hours per week, this would mean that you are entitled to $1250, or 50% of the total $2,500.

For Graduate Degree programs:
Full-time employees, 72 hours per pay or more, will be reimbursed up to, but not exceeding, $4,000 per 12-month calendar year.

Payment/Re-payment of Tuition Reimbursement Allowance
Full-time employees taking graduate level classes will receive reimbursement in the following manner up to $4,000 per calendar year: 50% upon successful completion of the class/course and the remaining 50% one year from the date of receiving the first 50%.

Part-time employees are not eligible for the $4,000 level of tuition reimbursement. All reimbursements to eligible part-time/PRN employees will be made in the same manner as undergraduate courses.

Where do most St. Elizabeth’s employees attend classes?
Southwestern Illinois College
Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
McKendree College
Saint Louis University
University of Missouri - St. Louis
Webster University
Ranken Technical School
Kaskaskia College
St. Louis Community College
Lindenwood University

Tuition Reimbursement Allowance:

Undergraduate Degree Budgeted hours per pay period:
72-80	$2,500.00
49-71	$1,875.00
32-48	$1,250.00
Graduate Degree Budgeted hours per pay period:
72+	$4,000.00

How do I apply?

1. Complete a tuition reimbursement application, available from your manager or Human Resources.
2. Submit the application for approval to your manager before you begin class.
3. Your application, when approved, will tell you the maximum allowable amount of eligible funds for the calendar year.
4. When you have completed the class, submit your grade (must be at least a “C”) along with the proof of payment to the Pastoral Care secretary, assuming the class was pre-approved.
5. Your reimbursement will be included in your payroll check, usually within two weeks.
6. Employees receiving tuition reimbursement must work one full year after class completion. If the employee decides to terminate before completion of a year, the work time will be prorated against the amount reimbursed. The hospital requires a lump sum or the difference will be withheld from the employee’s final paycheck.

Note:
Approved courses for reimbursement must be applicable to the employee’s present or possible future job assignment or advancement within the Hospital. Courses must be part of a planned degree or certification program, the core of which is applicable to the employee’s present work, possible future job assignment, or advancement within the Hospital and be compatible with the employee’s work schedule. College courses (including local college/university, short session computer courses), professional certifying programs, and personal development programs will be evaluated on an individual basis. Short term seminars, workshops, and educational programs offering CEUs are not reimbursed through this directive.

For information on tuitionreimbursement call 234-2120, ext. 1335