University of Missouri-Columbia
Educational Assistance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Active Employees

1. Who is eligible for Educational Assistance?
   
   
   

   	Benefit eligible Administrative, Service and Support Staff who have completed six months of continuous employment immediately prior to class registration.
   	Benefit eligible Academic, Teaching and Research employees.
   	University Retirees (Please see FAQs for Retired Employees)
   Note:	Employees on unpaid leaves of absence, including those in layoff status, are not eligible for Educational Assistance.

   
   
   
2. Are there any exceptions to the eligibility requirements?
   
   For Administrative, Service and Support Staff, the completion of six months of continuous employment may be waived, with supervisory approval, if the course is considered a required part of the employee's job.
   
3. Is successful completion of the probationary period required in order to qualify for Educational Assistance?
   
   Policy requires that the employee be benefit-eligible (“regular”) and have completed six months of continuous employment immediately prior to registration. Successful completion of the probationary period is not required.
   
4. Do the monies allocated under Educational Assistance satisfy the requirement for financial enrollment?
   
   No. Please contact Cashiers for additional information on the requirements for financial enrollment.
   
5. What happens if the employee transfers from BENEFIT-ELIGIBLE to NON-BENEFIT-ELIGIBLE while enrolled under Educational Assistance?
   
   The employee continues to be eligible for educational assistance and the original, sponsoring department continues to bear the cost. Note that the employee must continue to be employed by the University for the duration of the course.
   
6. What are the specific benefits of the program for active employees?
   
   75% of the educational fee for University of Missouri college level credit courses is waived for a maximum of 15 credit hours per academic year (6 hours for Fall and Winter Semesters and 3 hours for Summer Semester)
   
7. Does Educational Assistance include miscellaneous fees?
   
   No. Employees must pay for books, lab fees, computer fees, student activity, and other special fees.
   
8. What fees apply when an employee audits a course?
   
   100% of the educational fee is waived. However, employees who audit an Independent Study or MU Direct course must still pay 25% of the educational fees.
   
9. Is the benefit the same for both undergraduate and graduate course credit?
   
   The 75% education fee coverage is the same for undergraduate and graduate level courses.
   
10. Are Educational benefits Taxable?
    
    Effective January 1, 2002, the tax on graduate level courses has been abolished. Undergraduate or graduate level courses are tax-free.
    
11. Can a department cover the employee's portion of the educational fees?
    
    If the course is job related, the department has the discretion to pay the portion of the fees not covered by Educational Assistance.
    
12. Are courses from other colleges covered?
    
    No. Educational Assistance applies only to the University of Missouri college credit courses.
    
13. Are courses offered through Independent Study and MU Direct?
    
    Yes.
    
14. How should time off to attend class be handled?
    
    The following options are available with supervisory approval:
    
    

    	Schedule the courses during non-working hours.
    	Make up lost time. (for non-exempt employees this must occur during the same work week to avoid overtime)
    	Take an adjustment in pay.
    	Charge the time to vacation.

    
    However, when the department requires an employee to take a job-related course, class attendance is considered part of the regular work schedule.
    
15. Can a supervisor refuse to permit an employee to use Educational Assistance?
    

    Educational Assistance is a staff benefit. Departments may not refuse to pay Educational Assistance because of departmental funding. However, it is important to note that class attendance does not take priority over regular job duties. If the requirements of the job conflict with class attendance, the department can refuse to approve Educational Assistance.

16. What happens if the employee is terminated or quits prior to the end of the course?
    
    HR Policy stipulates that an employee must remain a University employee through the end of the course to maintain eligibility for educational assistance. If the department notifies the student and Cashiers, 882-9138, that they do not want to pay the 75% or if they only want to pay a portion of the tuition waiver, Cashiers will credit the department's account and charge the employee.
    
17. How do you determine whether an employee has registered for the maximum number of allowable courses for the semester when the courses include Independent Study or MU Direct?
    
    For Independent Study courses, Human Resource Services (HRS) will look at the semester of actual enrollment. HRS will not assess whether the coursework from the previous semester has been completed.
    
18. Is the 75% tuition waiver charged to the department?
    
    Educational Assistance is part of the flat fee charged by Faculty and Staff Benefits to departments for every benefit eligible employee. It will not be charged to departments separately for those who take courses.
19. What is the process for getting the Educational Assistance benefit?
    
    

    Step 1	Complete the Educational Assistance program Questionnaire and Authorization form (UM Form 84). Um Form 84-1 can be obtained from your department or the Human Resources Website at http://mujobs.missouri.edu/resources/forms.htm
    Step 2	Submit the form to your immediate supervisor for approval. NOTE: Documentation is required for courses required by the department when the employee has not completed six months of employment.
    Step 3	Take or mail the signed form to your Human Resource Services Office. (Columbia Campus employees - 130 Heinkel Building) (Hospital/Clinics employees - 1W42, DCO59.20) (UM System employees - 215 University Hall)
    Step 4	Human Resource Services will verify and approve the request if appropriate. On Columbia Campus, the Human Resource Services Office will forward the "Cashier Copy" to the Cashiers Office at 15 Jesse Hall. NOTE: Hospital/Clinics and UM System will return the "Cashier's Copy" to the employee.
    Step 5	Apply for admission to the University of Missouri-Columbia at the Admissions Office, 230 Jesse Hall.
    Step 6	Register for classes at the Registrar's Office, 208 Brady Commons.
    Step 7	Provide a copy signed by your supervisor to your department fiscal/human resources office. They will forward your form to Human Resource Services at 130 Heinkel Building for approval.

    
    
    
20. Who does an employee call with questions regarding Educational Assistance?
    

    For questions regarding University Policy, please contact your Human Resource Services Office. (Columbia campus employees - 882-7976) (Hospital/Clinics employees -882-8186) (UM System employees - 882-3006)

    
    
    
21. Who does an employee call with questions regarding refunds?

    For questions regarding billing and refunds, please contact the Cashiers Office at 882-3097 or call 884-CASH.