Tuition Exemption Policy for Support Staff and Family Members

Policy Statement

Columbia University offers a Tuition Exemption program for support staff employees and their family members who are taking classes at Columbia University or who are candidates in a degree program at Columbia University.

Reason for the Policy

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

Responsible University Office & Officer

Columbia University Human Resources, Benefits Department

(212) 851-7000

hrbenefits@columbia.edu

Who Is Governed by This Policy

This policy applies to all support staff members of Local 100, 1199 SEIU/Morningside, Local 2110, MEBA, MM&P, SSA, and TWU.

Who Should Know This Policy

All Columbia University support staff members who wish to participate in this benefit program should review and understand this policy.

Policy Text

The Tuition Exemption program is offered to employees and their family members who are taking classes at Columbia University or are candidates in a degree program at Columbia University.

To receive the tuition exemption benefit, support staff employees and their family members must first be accepted into the school they wish to attend, for both degree and non-degree programs. Tuition exemption for support staff applies only during the fall and spring academic terms for undergraduate and graduate classes at Columbia University, Barnard College and Teachers College.

Employment Status and Eligibility

Eligibility is dependent on employment status and can also be affected by changes in employment status such as layoff, retirement, termination, resignation and changes from full-time employment to part-time employment. For complete information on how changes in employment status affect eligibility, please refer the section titled "Changes in Employment Status That May Affect Eligibility" in the Tuition Benefit for Support Staff and Family section of the Human Resources Benefits website: www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/ss-tuition/eligibility/employment-status.html.

Applying for Tuition Exemption

For complete information on how to apply for tuition exemption, please refer to the section called "Procedures: How to Apply" in the Tuition Benefit for Support Staff and Family section of the Human Resources Benefits website: www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/ss-tuition/procedures/index.html.

Taxation

Taxation rules differ depending on the support staff member's status as an employee and student, as well as the type of class being taken. For complete information regarding taxation and withholding, please refer to the section titled "Taxation" in the Tuition Benefit for Support Staff and Family section of the Human Resources Benefits website:  www.hr.columbia.edu/hr/benefits/ss-tuition/taxation/index.html.