Educational Advancement Program (G/P)

The Educational Advancement Program encompasses: I) Tuition Vouchers, and II) Tuition Reimbursement.

I.  Tuition Voucher Program

A tuition voucher pays for tuition and fees related to for-credit (undergraduate) or Continuing Education classes offered by ACC, within the limitations below.

Staffing table employees and adjunct faculty are eligible for three (3) tuition vouchers per academic year.

Staffing table employees are eligible for additional tuition vouchers if the employee does not have a college degree, is pursuing a degree or certificate program at ACC, and has an ACC degree plan.

1. Eligibility
   1. A staffing table employee and adjunct faculty who has been employed by the College for at least 180 days is eligible for the vouchers
   2. A staffing table employee who has been employed by the College for at least one year is eligible to request additional tuition vouchers to pursue an ACC degree or certificate program.
   3. “Good Standing” guidelines
      The employee must meet the following:
      1. The employee shall not have any current disciplinary personnel actions.
      2. The employee shall not have any fiduciary requirements owed to Austin Community College District.
      3. The employee shall not be in default of any federal student loans obtained through Austin Community College District.
2. Guidelines
   1. Tuition vouchers exempt eligible employees from course tuition and fees for credit courses. There may be some CE courses and fees that do not accept a tuition voucher. Check the Educational Advancement website information for the listing of courses.
   2. An employee who requests additional tuition vouchers to pursue an ACC degree program or certificate program, must complete the Request for Additional Vouchers form and submit a copy of their degree plan with the form to the Office of Human Resources.
   3. The employee must earn a ‘C’ (or ‘Pass’) or better to continue in the program using tuition vouchers.
   4. Tuition vouchers must be used within the academic year for which they were issued.
   5. Eligible employees will receive the three tuition vouchers in August of each year. A request for Additional Tuition Vouchers can be submitted throughout the year and only after the employee has used the tuition vouchers assigned to them.
   6. Tuition Vouchers must be submitted according to the College’s payment deadlines.
   7. An employee may secure a refund for a course for which the employee has already paid tuition, but it must be within the same semester.
   8. Courses taken during work hours must have prior approval of the supervisor and employees must make-up the lost work hours or take the appropriate leave.
   9. Tuition Vouchers are not transferable.
   10. Using Tuition vouchers to cause a low enrollment course to make the required class number is prohibited.
3. Course Withdrawal/Cancellation
   1. If an employee drops a course (or the College cancels a course) prior to the first day of class, the tuition voucher can be reinstated. The employee should timely notify Human Resources, Records Section and request reinstatement of the voucher.
   2. If an employee drops a course on or after the first day of the class, the tuition voucher used by the employee may not be reinstated.
   3. If the College has incurred the complete cost for a course and the employee does not complete the course or achieve ‘C’ or better, ‘Pass’, then, the employee is responsible for reimbursing the College 100% of the cost of course registration unless the employee can demonstrate one or more of the exceptions listed below. Employee must submit supporting documentation when claiming one of the below exceptions:
      1. Documented severe illness or debilitating condition of employee;
      2. Death of close family member;
      3. Care of sick, injured, or dependent family member;
      4. Active military duty;
      5. Change in work schedule beyond the employee’s control;
      6. Incorrect course placement based on assessment error; or
      7. Other “good cause” or challenging circumstances, as determined by a panel formed by the Vice President of Human Resources and a representative from the Staff Professional Development Office. Determinations made by the panel are final.
4. Request for Additional Tuition Vouchers
   To request additional tuition vouchers, the employee must:
   1. Complete the Request for Additional Tuition Vouchers form and submit it to the Office of Human Resources.
   2. Submit a copy of their degree plan to the Office of Human Resources.
   3. After review of the request form, the employee will be notified whether or not he or she has been granted additional tuition vouchers.
   4. Submit a copy of their grade report upon completion of each class or classes.

II.  Tuition Reimbursement Program

The College offers reimbursement of tuition for eligible employees who are enrolled in classes at accredited higher education institutions.

1. Eligibility
   1. A staffing table employee and adjunct faculty who has been employed by the College for at least three (3) years by the tuition reimbursement request date. Adjunct faculty, must have been employed for two (2) long semesters in an academic year and for two (2) consecutive years as defined by longevity.
   2. “Good Standing” guidelines
      The employee must meet the following:
      1. The employee shall not have any current/pending/outstanding personnel actions.
      2. Prior personnel actions that have been resolved shall not disqualify employee.
      3. Employee shall not have any fiduciary requirements owed to Austin Community College District.
      4. Employee shall not be in default of any federal student loans obtained through Austin Community College District.
2. Guidelines
   The employee must:
   1. Be enrolled at an accredited college or university.
   2. Earn a ‘C’ or better and/or passing within a pass/fail credit course in attempted coursework.
   3. Reimbursement is for 75% of mandatory tuition and fees up to $3000 per fiscal year per employee.
   4. Reimbursement is not applicable for personal development or personal enrichment classes.
3. Funding Request
   The employee must:
   1. Fill out the Tuition Reimbursement form online during the submission time established.
   2. Send invoice/receipt verifying payment of tuition to the Office of Human Resources.

Applicants will be notified of funding usually within one (1) week of the selection process.