BENEFITS
The District Council 37 Education Fund operates a Tuition Reimbursement Program which assists eligible members to pursue an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate education, subject to the rules, regulations, conditions and limitations established by the Education Fund Board of Trustees. This program also assists members taking non-credit courses. The following information summarizes the Fund's policies:
Effective January 1, 2015, the Education Fund will reimburse for job-related Civil Service and Continuing Education courses or for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate courses offered by U.S.-affiliated educationally-accredited institutions and programs as specified in the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home) The Education Fund will reimburse for test preparation courses taken to pass a test for a professional license or certification, or for New York State registration (i.e. Social Workers, Engineers, Architects) as a condition of employment. Only registration fees for job-related conferences are reimbursable. The Education Fund will also reimburse for non-credit, job-related courses offered by accredited institutions, state-approved programs, authorized providers of Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Professional Development Hours (PDHs), or Continuing Professional Education Credits (CPEs), and for job-related courses offered by licensed providers and required by the employer for job promotion or certification (documentation will be required Members who are eligible may apply for reimbursement up to a maximum of $1,500 per calendar year (beginning with courses taken on or after January 1, 2024) and for tuition and/or consolidated or registration fees not reimbursed through other forms of assistance. Other fees and costs (admissions, books, etc are not reimbursable. Reimbursement is made at the end of the term to a member who has applied to the reimbursement program and has satisfied all eligibility requirements.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, a member must:
- Be a full-time, per annum employee in a title covered by Fund training agreements.
- Be either a part-time employee in some covered title of the Department of Education or a College Assistant who works a minimum of 17¹/² hours per week or 70 hours per month. NOT ELIGIBLE: spouses, domestic partners, dependents, employees on leave of absence, per diem, and hourly employees.
- Be eligible when the term begins in order to be reimbursed.
- Receive course credit toward a degree offered by an accredited college or university or online. The institution must beaccredited as specified in the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. Life Experience credits and Independent Study are not reimbursable.
- Receive a "P" or "S" grade or a grade of "C" or better for college credit courses.
- Submit proof of successful completion for non-credit programs or courses.
NOTE: Students must provide proof from their school that they did not apply or receive financial aid such as the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS), PELL grants. and other federal grants, veterans benefits. tuition waivers, scholarships, etc. The Education Fund will provide reimbursement only for fees paid over these other forms of assistance, up to a maximum of $1,500 per calendar year, beginning with courses taken on or after January 1, 2024.