Employee Tuition Assistance

Employees who hold a regular position and work .40 FTE or greater may be eligible for tuition reimbursement for classes taken at state-supported accredited institutions in Michigan (and other out-of-state accredited institutions as approved in advance) relating to your position or the field of education.

Reimbursement Requests

Please note, all requests for approval must be submitted electronically via the Google FormsGoogleForm tool. Reimbursement for a full-time staff member is ½ the tuition cost or prorated if you are less than full time, based on a full-time equivalency. Fees are not reimbursed.

To start the process for reimbursement, complete the Google FormsCourse Approval Request GoogleForm and press “Submit” at the bottom of the form. Please complete the Google FormsCourse Approval Request GoogleForm prior to taking the course(s). You will be notified via email whether your request has been approved or not. If approved, a copy of your request will be sent to Ashley Wills to match up with your final paperwork once you have completed the course.

Once you have completed the course, please send the following to Ashley Wills, at willsas@tcaps.net

  • Grade report showing successful grade and credits earned for the course.
  • Receipt from the university showing the tuition charge and proof of payment for the charge (i.e. copy of canceled check, bank statement, or credit card statement).

Please note: grants and scholarships reduce your tuition charges and are, therefore, considered when calculating reimbursement. Human Resources will process a reimbursement check within two weeks after receipt of the paperwork. Reimbursement checks will be sent as a separate check and will not be included in regular paychecks.

For questions regarding eligibility or the reimbursement process, please feel free to contact Employee Benefits Coordinator Ashley Wills at 231.933.1720 or willsas@tcaps.net


NEW - 100% Tuition Reimbursement Program for TCEA Employees

We are pleased to announce the district will be adding two (2) new approved programs of study to the TCAPS 100% Tuition Reimbursement Program! Beginning July 1, 2023, the District will also consider a Master's in Social Work degree program with a School Social Worker concentration/focus, as well as an American Sign Language (ASL) endorsement area program. These two programs will be added to the English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education endorsement areas that are already offered under the 100% Tuition Reimbursement program. 

The program outline is as follows:

Available to current TCAPS teachers interested in obtaining additional endorsement areas and/or Michigan certificates/licenses in a specialized area related to the field of education:

  • The endorsement areas that are currently approved by the district for this program include Special Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and American Sign Language (ASL). The degree programs of study include a Master's in Social Work degree with a School Social Work concentration program.
     
  • 100% tuition reimbursement
     
  • Current teachers must apply and be selected to complete the specialized endorsement and/or certification/license program - following the district’s 100% Tuition Reimbursement Program Application Process
    • The district will periodically notify staff on specific endorsements and/or licenses that are eligible for the 100% Tuition Reimbursement Program;
  • There is a service requirement at the completion of the program (or waived at district’s discretion) equal to the amount of time taken to complete the planned program;
    • If the employee does not complete the TCAPS service requirement, the employee must pay back 50% of the tuition fees to the district.​​​​​​​
In the event your program does not qualify for the 100% Tuition Reimbursement Program, you are still eligible to receive 50% tuition reimbursement under the existing tuition reimbursement program that is available to all TCAPS employees. For more information on the existing tuition reimbursement program, please click here.
 
As stated above, the district will send a notification out to staff as approved programs are added or changed.   
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If you have questions regarding the 100% Tuition Reimbursement Program, or if you have any questions regarding Tuition Reimbursement, please contact me (lahtier@tcaps.net) or Ashley Wills at willsas@tcaps.net. ​​​​​​​

GVSU Company Deferment Plan

The External LinkGVSU Company Deferment Plan is for students who qualify for their employer’s tuition reimbursement program and allows the amount of tuition and fees paid for by the employer to be deferred until the end of the semester. Any amount of tuition, fees, and other charges (including parking permits) not paid for by the employer must be received by the tuition deadline and included with this application. 

To qualify for company deferment, you will need:

  • Complete and sign PDF Documentpromissory note and email to studenta@gvsu.edu along with your current letter of eligibility from your employer (on company letterhead)
  • Go to External LinkmyBanner and pay the $40.00 service fee plus any amount not reimbursable by the employer.
  • The prom note, the letter and the payment should be made together.  If that is not possible, please make your payment first.

The student, not the employer, is responsible for timely payment of this loan.
The loan is due in full, approximately 30 days after the end of the semester, regardless of employer reimbursement. The service fee is non-refundable.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. A new letter of eligibility from your employer must be submitted each semester.

You may send the information to:

Grand Valley State University
Attn: Student Accounts Office
1049 James H. Zumberge Hall (1049 JHZ)
Allendale, MI 49401-9403
Fax: (616) 331-3975
email: studenta@gvsu.edu

 

GVSU Health Related Academic Program