Primary Tuition Scholarship

Policy Statement

Faculty and Officers of the University who have children enrolled at a private school in grades K through 8 are eligible for a Primary Tuition Scholarship that funds between 10 percent and 35 percent of the child's tuition, depending on eligible family income. 

Reason(s) for the Policy

To provide employees and their families with information about how to take advantage of the University's educational opportunities through the Primary Tuition Scholarship program.  

Responsible University Office & Officer

Columbia University Human Resources, Benefits Department

Who is governed by This Policy

The policy applies to all faculty and officers of Columbia University, living within the five boroughs of New York City, with children enrolled at a private school in grades K through 8.

Who Should Know This Policy

All Columbia University faculty and officers who wish to participate in this benefit program should review and understand this policy.

Policy Text

A Primary Tuition Scholarship funds between 10 percent and 35 percent of an eligible employee's child's tuition, depending on eligible family income.  All dependant children of faculty and officers are eligible for this benefit.  Eligible children with two parents who are employees of the University may receive two scholarships simultaneously.

Eligibility

• Employee must be a full-time salaried Officer of Administration, Instruction, the Libraries, Research or a member of the United Doctors Association (UDA).
• Dependant children of eligible employee must be enrolled in grades K-8 at a private school. 
• Dependant children of eligible employee's spouse or same sex domestic partner must be enrolled in grades K-8 at a private school. 
• Both employee and child must live within the five boroughs of New York City; and the school must be located within the five boroughs of New York City.

Note: Visiting Officer of Instruction or Research, or Postdoctoral Researcher, Scholar, or Fellow are not eligible for this benefit.  Children of employees in nursery school, pre-kindergarten, or grades 9 through 12 are not eligible for this benefit. 

For complete details and eligibility requirements, please refer to the section titled "PTS Eligibility" in the Primary Tuition Scholarship Benefit for employees: 

http://www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/pts/eligibility/index.html

Timing of Eligibility

Employees may receive a Primary Tuition Scholarship as soon as they are benefits eligible, though the employee will be only partially covered for a school year already underway.   For complete details please refer to the section titled "How Soon Am I Eligible?" in Primary Tuition Scholarship Benefit for employees: http://www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/pts/benefit/index.html

Employment Status and Eligibility

Eligibility is dependent on employment status and can also be affected by changes in employment status such as layoff, retirement, involuntary termination, resignation or part-time appointment.  For complete eligibility requirements please refer to the section titled "What If My Employment Status Changes" in Primary Tuition Scholarship Benefit for employees: http://www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/pts/benefit/index.html

Fees Covered

A Primary Tuition Scholarship funds between 10 percent and 35 percent of the child's tuition for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.  The award amount is based on eligible family income determined by a financial information worksheet completed by the employee.   Please note that "tuition" is defined as the portion of the bill that covers the academic program. 

For complete details regarding eligibility calculation, please refer to the section called "How is eligible family income calculated?" in the Primary Tuition Scholarship Benefit website at: http://www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/pts/eligibility/index.html. 

Special Note:

The School at Columbia

The PTS program pays 50 percent of your child's tuition for grades K-4 at The School at Columbia University.  As with all private schools, admission to The School is a separate process not related to the PTS program.  For more information, contact the admissions office or visit their website: http://theschool.columbia.edu/

Fees Not Covered

Other fees (e.g. for extra-curricular activities or materials) are not covered, even if the bill from the school combines them with "tuition."

For complete details regarding what is covered/not covered under PTS, please refer to the section titled "What Is the Benefit?" under the Primary Tuition Scholarship Benefit website at: http://www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/pts/benefit/index.html

Applying for Primary Tuition Scholarship

For complete instructions on how to apply for the Primary Tuition Scholarship Benefit and for information regarding documentation needed, application forms and reimbursement procedures, please refer to the Primary Tuition Scholarship Benefit website at http://www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/pts/benefit/index.html

Taxable Tuition

Under current IRS regulations, a PTS is only taxable income if it benefits the dependent of a same-sex domestic partner. For complete information regarding tax information, please refer to section titled "Procedures and Taxes" in the Primary Tuition Scholarship Benefit website:  http://www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/pts/benefit/index.html

For questions about your reimbursement account or how your award is calculated, please contact EBPA directly at:

Employee Benefit Plan Administration
Reimbursement Account
P.O. Box 1140, Exeter, NH 03833-1140,
800-258-7298.