As a GW employee, you are eligible for the tuition remission benefit, which pays a percentage of tuition costs not to exceed the Columbian College rate. But before you decide to get back in the classroom, keep these seven things in mind.
1. All graduate-level courses are taxable, unless…
…you are enrolled in a program that is (a) required for your position, or (b) will help improve skills related to your job duties. In these two cases, you may apply for tax exemption by submitting course certification documents to the GW Benefits office by the semester deadlines:
Tax Exemption Certification Deadlines
Fall semester: June 18-August 17
Spring semester: October 3 – January 5
Summer semester: April 14 – May 11
However, if you are receiving graduate-level tuition benefits for courses that are either (a) unrelated to your position, or (b) lead to a promotion, you will be subject to payroll tax withholding.
2. Late applications are not accepted.
Make sure to submit your tuition remission application materials by the semester deadlines:
Tuition Remission Application Deadlines
Fall semester: June 18 – October 1
Spring semester: October 3 – February 1
Summer semester: April 14 – June 15
3. Not every program or course is eligible for tuition remission.
A list of ineligible programs and courses may be found on the GW Benefits Tuition Remission webpage. Among those listed are doctoral, executive and online programs.
4. There is a waiting period.
Staff employees are eligible for tuition benefits the semester following successful completion of 180 days of regular employment in a benefits eligible position. Note: the 180-day waiting period does not apply to faculty, research personnel, executives and medical residents.
5. Changing jobs or ending your employment affects your tuition remission benefit.
If your job change does not result in benefit ineligibility, tuition remission coverage approved at the start of the semester will continue for the duration of the semester. However, if the job change results in a change from regular full-time (40 hours per week) to regular part-time (14-39 hours per week), or vice versa, the tuition remission benefit will adjust accordingly in the semester following the transfer effective date. Termination of employment or transfer to a benefits ineligible position will cause tuition remission to cease on the effective date of the event; a prorated bill will be issued by the Student Accounts office.
6. You must submit an application for each semester you register for.
All students must follow normal university and registration procedures to enroll for classes and, subsequently, submit the tuition remission application. The tuition remission benefit is not issued to students who have not been admitted and/or completed course registration. Be sure to submit the online application by the applicable semester due date (see #2).
7. Your spouse/domestic partner and dependents can enjoy this benefit.
If your spouse/domestic partner or dependents choose to utilize the tuition remission benefit, they may go online to enroll in programs and register for classes. Please note that you, the sponsoring employee, must apply for tuition remission on their behalf every semester. The amount of tuition remission coverage for spouses/domestic partners and dependents is determined by the sponsoring employee’s tenure and employment status. The level of participant coverage for full- and part-time employment may be viewed in the Tuition Remission Benefit Policy Guide. Family study hall – you and your spouse/domestic partner and/or dependents may utilize the tuition remission benefit at the same time!
DID YOU KNOW? GW employees and members of their extended family can enjoy 20 percent savings at The George Washington University Online High School (GWUOHS). This benefit may be applied to enrollment in either the full-time, diploma-granting program or part-time AP courses. Take advantage of this offer by calling (877) 382-2015 and mentioning promo code GWU20OFF, or learn more at www.gwuohs.com.
