Understanding the UMBC Tuition Remission Policy
The UMBC tuition remission policy provides eligible employees, their spouses and dependents, and UMB retirees with an opportunity to take classes at a University System of Maryland (USM) institution. The USM Tuition Remission Policy and Procedures are administered by UMBC’s Human Resources and UMBC’s Financial Services Departments. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the policy, eligibility requirements, restrictions, and application process.
Eligibility Criteria
Several categories of individuals are eligible for tuition remission under the UMBC policy:
- Regular Full-Time Faculty and Staff: Regular full-time faculty and staff employed at least 50% are eligible for tuition remission for up to eight (8) credits per semester at any USM institution or reciprocal institution (Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, or Baltimore City Community College).
- Contingent Category II Employees: Contingent Category II employees who are employed at 50% or greater are eligible for tuition remission for the employee only. They may receive tuition remission for up to eight (8) credits per semester at any University System of Maryland (USM) institution or reciprocal institution, including Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Baltimore City Community College, in accordance with USM and UMB policies and requirements. UMBC Contingent II employees are only eligible for tuition remission at their home institution (UMBC), with benefits proportional to percentage of service.
- Dependents: Dependent children must be enrolled in courses toward a first undergraduate degree at any USM or reciprocal institution (Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, or Baltimore City Community College). Graduate courses are not available for dependents.
- Spouses: Spouses are eligible for tuition remission at USM institutions, but not at reciprocal institutions (Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, or Baltimore City Community College). No reciprocity for spouses at St. Mary’s College of Maryland or University of Maryland Global Campus.
- Retirees: Full-time regular faculty/staff and Retirees (employees who retired directly from a USM institution) are eligible for tuition remission at any USM institution, at the undergraduate or graduate level*, for up to eight (8) credits per semester. Eligible employees and Retirees who are taking courses or who have a spouse/dependent taking courses at any USM institution or Morgan State University (MSU) can use the online USM Tuition Remission system.
Scope of Tuition Remission
The tuition remission program covers a specific number of credits per semester, and it's important to understand the limitations:
- Credit Limit: Regular full-time faculty and staff employed at least 50% are eligible for tuition remission for up to (8) credits per semester at any USM institution or reciprocal institution.
- Eligible Institutions: Tuition remission can be used at any USM institution or reciprocal institution (Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, or Baltimore City Community College).
- Level of Study: Full-time regular faculty/staff and Retirees are eligible for tuition remission at any USM institution, at the undergraduate or graduate level. Dependent children must be enrolled in courses toward a first undergraduate degree.
Exclusions and Restrictions
Certain courses and programs are excluded from tuition remission. Employees should review the tuition remission restrictions as it relates to the attending school every semester in which they apply. Key exclusions include:
- Non-Credit Courses: All non-credit courses are excluded from tuition remission.
- Computer Certificate Programs: Computer Certificate Programs offered through the Division of Professional Studies or the UMBC Training Centers are excluded.
- Self-Support Programs and Courses: Self-support programs and courses are excluded.
- Study Abroad Programs: Study abroad programs are excluded. At UMBC, Study Abroad administrative and program fees are not included in Tuition Remission. At the University of Baltimore, non-credit courses, certificate programs, and study abroad travels are excluded.
- Executive Degree Programs and National Leadership Institute: At the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), Executive Degree Programs and the National Leadership Institute are excluded.
- Other Specific Exclusions: Intermediate Math, UM English Inst., and OES Open Learning Non-credit courses at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) are excluded.
- Payroll Requirement: Employees are required to be on payroll as of the first day of classes in order to be eligible to use tuition remission for that semester, even if the employee previously applied for the tuition remission.
Application Process
To apply for tuition remission, eligible individuals must follow a specific process. Tuition Remission Forms must be processed within 5 days of registering for classes, or classes will be dropped.
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- Online System: Employees and dependents of UMBC employees are eligible for in-state tuition remission. Eligible employees and Retirees who are taking courses or who have a spouse/dependent taking courses at any USM institution or Morgan State University (MSU) can use the online USM Tuition Remission system.
- Letter of Employment Verification: UMBC employees will need to provide a letter of employment verification with the student’s application.
- USM Tuition Remission Form: If you or your dependent child are attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) or St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM), you must complete and submit the USM Tuition Remission form: Application for Tuition Remission.
- Deadlines: The application deadlines for courses being taken at other institutions are set by each institution and may differ from UMBC's deadlines. Late letter due after close date.
Specific Institution Guidelines
It is crucial to be aware of specific guidelines for each institution within the USM. Here's a summary of key points for some institutions:
- Coppin State University (CSU): No Limit 10/13/2024 01/15/2025 (Late letter required afterwards)
- University of Baltimore (UB): Winter minimester available to eligible UB faculty, staff, spouse, and dependents only. No Limit 11/01/2024 01/02/2025 (Late letter required afterwards)
- University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP): The credit limit for Winter 2025 for faculty/staff is 4 Credits (3-week Winter Term) and 6 Credits (12-week Winter Term). All graduate programs are reimbursed at the standard graduate tuition rate of $844.56 per credit with cost difference, if any, billed to the student. The standard undergraduate per credit rate is $420.24. Please contact your program for other deadlines and questions. No Limit 10/10/2024 03/15/2025
- University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC): No Limit 05/06/2024
- St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM): Scholarship awards from St. Mary’s cannot exceed the value of in-state tuition. Tuition remissions are scholarships and count toward this limit. Internships, independent studies, and non-credit courses can only be taken with tuition remission if they do not result in additional expense for the College. Spouses, Retirees and Retiree spouses/dependents, & Graduate Assistants are not eligible. Employee is responsible for researching eligibility for a specific course/program. No reciprocity for spouses. Minimum enrollment in all courses to meet costs must occur before tuition remission will be accepted. No reciprocity for Grad Assistants or spouses.
Financial Aspects
Understanding how tuition remission affects funding and accounting is essential:
- DBE Funding: Employee’s Primary Position’s DBE funding at the time of Application will be the funding that is charged the Tuition Remission.
- Journal Tracking: Line Description of the Journal must include the Campus ID and Employee ID. Find Campus ID here.
- Retroactive Adjustments: Although the funding partly follows the DBE, the PeopleSoft HR Retros to Payroll Distribution will not retroactively move Tuition Charges.
Additional Considerations
- Course Drops: Dropping your course will not affect your ability to use tuition remission in the future.
- Disclaimer: Provisions listed above may be revised from time to time and may not be all inclusive in this document. Final decisions are made at the Institution where the course work is being taken.
- Video Presentation: Interested in learning more? Please watch this video presentation about Tuition Remission (34 minutes).
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