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Human Resources

Tuition Scholarship Programs

Quick Links: CIC Tuition Exchange | Tuition Exchange | Illinois Wesleyan Admissions

▷ Tuition Exchange Programs Powerpoint

▷ Watch Tuition Scholarship Zoom Meeting 2022

▷ Tuition Exchange Guidelines

Tuition Scholarship Changes

August 1, 2023

Effective August 1, 2023 President Nugent has given her support to eliminate any waiting period for full-time employees (and their dependents) to be eligible for IWU Tuition Remission. This change is in effect for all benefits-eligible employees. As always, if you have questions please contact Human Resources.

 

August 1, 2022

Effective August 1, 2022: While the tuition benefit offered to exempt/faculty employees and to non-exempt employees is more similar than in the past, an inequity remains. Specifically, non-exempt employees currently have a two-year waiting period for tuition remission for dependents, while exempt staff/faculty have no waiting period.  

To address this inequity, as of August 1, 2022, all new employees hired on or after that date will be asked to invest one year of service in order to earn this benefit.

Access to tuition exchange programs through Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and Tuition Exchange (TE) will continue to be effective upon hire for all employees.

Human Resources would like to thank Staff Council for bringing this inequity to our attention and for its advocacy for our valued staff employees. 

As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact the Human Resources office at 556-3536.

Export Tuition Scholarship – attendance at another accredited institution

Effective February 1, 2020 the export tuition benefit for employees who have been eligible for the previous export benefit or who become eligible before the program sunsets will continue under the following outline:

  • For eligible students, the export tuition benefit will be reduced from 75% of IWU tuition to 50% of IWU tuition.
  • Students who have not graduated high school before the beginning of the Fall 2020 academic year are no longer eligible for export tuition.
  • The export tuition benefit will fully sunset in August, 2024. 

Tuition Remission – Attendance at Illinois Wesleyan University

Eligibility 

  • Exempt staff who are assigned to work at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of nine months per year, and their Dependents (“Dependent” which term is defined below), are eligible to attend Illinois Wesleyan University immediately upon hire.
  • Faculty who are assigned to teach at least four and one half (4.5) course units for a minimum of nine months per year and their Dependents are eligible to apply to attend Illinois Wesleyan University immediately upon hire.
  • After two years, non-exempt staff who are assigned to work at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of nine months per year, and their Dependents are eligible to apply to attend Illinois Wesleyan University.

For employee attendance, supervisor approval is required. Flexing of work schedule for up to one class during the employee’s regularly scheduled work day is generally allowed. Participation in May term requires approval of both the supervisor and the Human Resources Director. The employee may be required to use vacation or personal time to cover hours missed during the work day for May term.

Scholarship Program

This benefit provides the opportunity to enroll in courses at Illinois Wesleyan University without tuition charge; it does not cover any fees or expenses other than tuition. Full-time, degree-seeking students must meet admissions criteria and may attend a maximum of 8 full-time semesters, or attainment of a baccalaureate degree (whichever comes first). Part-time enrollment for a semester counts as one of the 8 semesters of tuition remission available. A Dependent with a baccalaureate degree or an employee may audit classes for no class credit on a part-time basis.  

Study Abroad Considerations

For IWU study abroad programs, IWU will bill the employee and/or Dependent for the amount beyond standard tuition. For affiliated study abroad programs, consult with the Financial Aid office.

Process

To apply for full-time tuition remission benefit, employees must complete a Tuition Benefit Application from the Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office may also require an employee to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any federal or state grant will be applied toward the tuition benefit.

The University will notify eligible employees about the benefit, and requirements for re-enrollment, annually.

Full-time degree-seeking students must apply through the Admissions Office. Non-degree-seeking students should contact the Registrar’s Office to register for classes.

 

Tuition Exchange with Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and Tuition Exchange (TE)

CIC and TE are tuition scholarship programs for which eligible employees and their dependent(s) may apply. If awarded, these scholarship programs provide either full tuition or significantly discounted tuition (per the Exchange institution guidelines) for the employee/dependent.  

Eligibility

  • Staff (both exempt and non-exempt) who are assigned to work at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of nine months per year, and their Dependents, are eligible to apply for CIC and TE programs upon hire.
  • Faculty who are assigned to teach at least four and one half (4.5) course units for a minimum of nine months per year and their Dependents are eligible to apply for CIC and TE programs upon hire. 

The TE program requires that we maintain a balance between the number of students imported and exported, and may require limiting the number of students who are approved by HR to apply. 

Scholarship Program

Employees and eligible dependents may apply for the CIC-TEP AND/OR TE scholarship programs. Based on the Exchange institution program rules, employees may enroll in part-time or graduate programs. Maximum benefit is for 8 semesters of tuition.

Process

Exchange institutions can be found at the following web addresses.

The applicant must meet all admissions requirements and apply for admission to the Exchange institution in accordance with the institution’s procedures. The admission criteria of these institutions determine whether or not the applicant is accepted as a student. If accepted for admission, the institution then determines whether the applicant is accepted into the tuition exchange program.

 

A tuition scholarship award from either Exchange program is not guaranteed. To increase the chances of being awarded one of the scholarships, an interested employee/student may wish to submit an application for several different institutions.  

 

*Definition – Dependent 

The definition of Dependent includes Spouses and Domestic Partners. 

A child qualifies as a Dependent if the parent/guardian meets one of the following conditions for two consecutive years:

  1. Biological parent if he/she has provided consistent financial support.
  2. Stepparent, adoptive parent or legal guardian if the legal dependent child has been claimed as an exemption on the tax return.
  3. Stepparent, adoptive parent or legal guardian if the legal dependent child has lived in the household over 50% of the time (excluding the time they were at college).

Additionally, the child must be less than age 25 as of January 1st of the academic year to receive any benefits for that academic year.