Staff Educational Benefit

MSI Policy:   If course work is during the employee’s normal workday, all requests must be submitted in writing to the Director for approval. 

The Staff Educational Benefit is being expanded to enable eligible staff members who work at locations outside of the Austin area to participate.  Eligible staff members who have been admitted to their local area accredited college or university will be able to register and be reimbursed for course work covered by the benefit.  Online courses are not covered by the SEB.  The student will pay any applicable application fees. 

The Staff Educational Benefit covers one course (regardless of the number of hours) or two courses (not to exceed 3 course hours total); of completed undergraduate or graduate course work during the fall and spring semesters.  The benefit will cover the cost of tuition and fees not to exceed the amount provided to Austin area employees taking covered courses at UT Austin.  The benefit is subject to IRS regulations and there are tax consequences for graduate courses.  Please note that dissertation courses and continuing education courses are not eligible for the benefit.

The educational benefit program is available to all full-time (40 hours per week) benefits-eligible staff, who have worked for at least 12 continuous months.  The benefit is not available to faculty or to students employed in positions that require student status as a condition of employment.  To determine eligibility go to https://utdirect.utexas.edu/pnbiog/ed_ben.WBX. Consistent with current policy, a staff member who wants to take course work during their normal work schedule must obtain advance approval from their supervisor.

Within 60 days after completion of the course work, an eligible employee applied to be reimbursed by the benefit.  The employee completes the Staff Educational Benefit Application following the instructions on the form providing appropriate documentation as noted.  Due to a variety of significant factors, the application process for staff members who work outside of the Austin area differs from the process for employees who work in Austin.

For more information about the Educational Benefit, please see the Human Resource Services website at http://www.utexas.edu/hr/staff/edben.html or contact Human Resource Service Center at HRSC@austin.utexas.edu or call  toll free at 1-800-687-4178.

STAFF EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT (SEB) GUIDELINES (for employees who work at locations outside of the Austin area)

STAFF EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT APPLICATION

Inquiries:

Updated: Tuesday, March 04, 2008