Navigating the CU Boulder Tuition Assistance Benefit: A Comprehensive Guide
The University of Colorado (CU) recognizes the value of continuous learning and development, not only for its students but also for its dedicated faculty and staff and their families. To support this, CU offers a Tuition Assistance Benefit (TAB) designed to make education more accessible and affordable. This article provides a detailed overview of the CU Boulder Tuition Assistance Benefit, outlining eligibility criteria, benefits, application procedures, and key considerations.
Who is Eligible for the Tuition Assistance Benefit?
To be eligible for the CU Tuition Assistance Benefit, employees must meet specific criteria:
- Benefits Eligibility: You must be eligible for benefits.
- Eligible Job Code: Be in an eligible job code.
- Active Appointment: Employees must maintain an active appointment and eligibility through the published date on which the TAB application closes for their campus of enrollment.
- Non-Temporary Position: Employees must be in a non-temporary, eligible job classification (see the Benefit Eligibility Matrix) that is at least a 50% appointment and must be an employee at the time of the verification through census date for the upcoming semester.
Understanding the Benefits
The Tuition Assistance Benefit provides significant discounts on tuition bills for benefits-eligible employees and their dependents. Here's a breakdown of the benefits:
- Employee Benefit: Eligible employees may receive a waiver for up to a total of 12 credit hours of tuition (on a space-available basis) each academic year. This benefit can be used on any CU campus, excluding most Continuing Education (CE) courses. However, Boulder CE courses with prefixes CCOM, OREC, EDUA, and CSPB (except section 750) are eligible. The CSPB section 750 exception applies regardless of the course number.
- Dependent Benefit: Each academic year, an employee can share their Tuition Assistance Benefit with an eligible dependent or multiple dependents, including a spouse or children, or give their benefit to a dependent for use.
- Home Campus Option: If dependents attend the same campus where the employee works (University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Colorado Springs), they are eligible to waive up to 12 credits per academic year. Dependents of CU Boulder and CU System employees can receive a discount of 40% off of tuition (student share if the dependent is a Colorado resident undergraduate).
- Other Campus Option: If dependents attend class at a CU campus other than the campus where the employee works, eligible employees may receive $3,240 per academic year to apply toward dependent tuition (up to 12 credits, $270 per credit hour). Dependents can only attend undergraduate, non-extended studies, credit-bearing courses.
- Combined Benefit: Boulder and System employees and their dependents can both use the benefit at the same time (12 credit hours for the employee and 40% discount for the dependent) when enrolling on the Boulder campus.
Eligible faculty and staff can save up to 12 credits per academic year on eligible undergraduate and graduate classes on any CU campus. Employees enrolled full-time can use the benefit during the Fall, Summer, or Spring semesters.
Important Considerations and Exclusions
While the Tuition Assistance Benefit offers substantial support, it's crucial to be aware of what it doesn't cover:
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- Fees: The Tuition Assistance Benefit does not cover application fees or student fees, which vary by campus. Mandatory student fees and other applicable education costs still apply.
- Course Restrictions: Employees can use the benefit on any University of Colorado campus (excluding Continuing Education, audited courses, extended studies, Outreach Programs, Study Abroad, and/or noncredit courses). For CU Anschutz, only Public Health, Nursing and Graduate School courses are eligible.
- College Opportunity Fund (COF): For Colorado residents, each undergraduate student must apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) and pay the difference if COF is exhausted. Residents attending CU Boulder must also authorize the COF.
- Financial Aid Impact: The amount of TAB received is considered financial assistance and may impact financial aid eligibility. Other scholarships may be available for dependents of CU Boulder employees, and it's advisable to consult the Office of Financial Aid.
How to Use the Tuition Assistance Benefit at CU Boulder
Using the TAB involves a series of steps to ensure proper application of the benefit.
- Apply to CU Boulder as a Student: If you are not currently a student, submit a degree or nondegree application.
- Register for Classes:
- Degree-seeking: Register on your assigned enrollment date in Buff Portal.
- Nondegree: Register during open enrollment.
- Verification and Application: Once you have registered for classes following guidelines for employees or dependents, the university will verify enrollment eligibility and apply the Tuition Assistance Benefit (TAB) to your student account before the payment deadline.
- View Your Bill: You can view your bill and pay student fees on the Tuition & Fees card in Buff Portal. If you are a parent of a dependent, you can access their bill in CUBill&Pay once your student has given you Authorized Payer access.
- Fill out the Fee Waiver Form: Fill out the Fee Waiver Form each semester.
- Payment Responsibility Employees and dependents are still responsible for paying the rest of the bill on time.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Application Deadlines: Employees must reapply for the benefit every semester or term. Visit Employee Services for all instructions, forms, and deadlines.
- Spring 2026 nondegree application deadline for CU Boulder: January 5, 2026.
- Bill and Payment Dates: Bill and payment deadlines for employees and dependents are the same as for all Main Campus students and are based on your registration date. Note the day you register and then see Billing & Due Dates to see when your payment is due.
Timing of TAB Processing
The university makes every effort to process TAB by the first due date of the semester. Due to the high volume of applications received, dependent applications are prioritized for completion by the first due date of the semester, and employee applications by the second due date of the semester (see Billing & Due Dates). This should not impact employees since the earliest they can register is within the time range of the second billing cycle anyway. Late and finance charges will be adjusted proportionate to the amount of TAB that may accrue as a direct result of processing time.
Supervisor Approval
Supervisor approval is not required to take a course.
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