Human Resources

Policy

Tuition Remission is provided as a tuition-only scholarship that also covers applicable program fees and is available to employees and their family members who enroll in an academic program at either the University of Bridgeport or Goodwin University.

Prior to receiving tuition remission, the student must be accepted through the regular admissions procedures and file the federal financial aid application (FAFSA) to be received by the appropriate Financial Aid office. The FAFSA must filed annually in advance of full registration. The Financial Aid office is available to assist employees in the preparation of these documents. The FAFSA form must filed for each member seeking participation in the program. The amount of the tuition remission shall be the difference between tuition costs and any federal, state, or outside, private entity financial award for which the student qualifies. Books and supplies are the responsibility of the student.

Eligibility

Full-time employees who have completed six months of employment are eligible for 100% tuition remission of any University of Bridgeport or Goodwin University programs, excluding selective admissions programs. This benefit extends to spouses and dependent children, including admission to selective admissions programs.

Part time employees and adjuncts who have completed six months of employment are eligible for 50% tuition remission of any University of Bridgeport or Goodwin University programs. Adjuncts that are inactive will remain eligible to participate in the 50% tuition remission program.

Procedures

To determine eligibility, please check with your Human Resources department prior to registration of classes for either yourself or for your spouse/dependent child each semester. Once your eligibility for the program has been determined, you must complete a Tuition Assistance Form each semester once registered for classes in order for your scholarship to be applied to your account.

Employee Guidelines

• May take two 3- or 4-credit course per semester
• May request approval to take additional courses for a semester from your direct supervisor and department vice president. This request must include an explanation of how an accelerated academic schedule will benefit both you and the University.
• Cannot schedule classes during normal working hours without prior written approval from your supervisor and department Vice President
• Achieve a grade of “C” or better in each course
• Do not receive an “NS”, “UG”, “I” “W” or “U” grade for any course
• Do not withdraw from, or drop, more than one course during the academic calendar year (unless prior approval has been received for medical or military leave)
• Consistently comply with the parameters of the program
• Employees must be in good-standing. Any student placed on academic probation or who has been found responsible for misconduct or disciplined under any University policies will not be eligible for tuition remission

Failure to meet requirements will result in losing eligibility for one full academic calendar year

Spouse Guidelines

• May take up to a full-time credit load per semester
• Must be a current legal spouse of the eligible employee at the beginning of each semester
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress, in accordance with the University’s student policies
• Do not receive an “N”, “UG”, “I” “W” or “U” grade for any course
• Do not withdraw from, or drop, more than one course during the academic calendar year (unless prior approval has been received for medical or military leave)
• Consistently comply with the parameters of the program
• Recipients must be in good-standing. Any student placed on academic probation or who has been found responsible for misconduct or disciplined under any University policies will not be eligible for tuition remission

Failure to meet requirements will result in losing eligibility for one full academic calendar year

Dependent Guidelines

• May take up to a full-time credit load per semester
• Must be a legal dependent child of the eligible employee, per FAFSA guidelines, at the time of his/her initial class registration
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress, in accordance with the University’s student policies
• Do not receive an “N”, “UG”, “I” “W” or “U” grade for any course
• Do not withdraw from, or drop, more than one course during the academic calendar year (unless prior approval has been received for medical or military leave)
• Once independent status is reached (per FAFSA guidelines), student must have continuous enrollment, including no unapproved leaves of absence through the completion of his/her program of study.
• Recipients must be in good-standing. Any student placed on academic probation or who has been found responsible for misconduct or disciplined under any University policies will not be eligible for tuition remission

Failure to meet requirements will result in losing eligibility for one full academic calendar year

Separation from Employment

If your employment ends for any reason, you or your spouse/dependent children may complete all classes in which currently enrolled. Your eligibility ends at the end of the semester in which you are currently enrolled.

Policy

Tuition assistance is provided as a tuition-only scholarship that also covers applicable program fees and is available to employees and their family members who enroll in an academic program at either the University of Bridgeport or Goodwin University.

Prior to receiving tuition assistance, the student must be accepted through the regular admissions procedures and may file the federal financial aid application (FAFSA) to be received by the appropriate Financial Aid office. The Financial Aid office is available to assist employees in the preparation of these documents. The amount of the scholarship shall be the difference between tuition costs and any federal, state, or outside, private entity financial award for which the student qualifies. Books and supplies are the responsibility of the student. Professional development money cannot be applied to cover these fees.

In order to ensure a rich academic experience within each cohort, spaces for full-time employees are limited. In the event that the number of eligible full-time employees exceeds the amount of space available, the University will award spaces based on a number of factors, including but not limited to organizational need and length of employment.

Eligibility

Full-time employees who have completed six months of employment are eligible for 100% tuition assistance of any University of Bridgeport or Goodwin University graduate degree programs, on a space-available basis. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for 50% tuition assistance on graduate degree programs.

Part time employees, including adjuncts, who have completed six months of continuous employment are eligible for 50% tuition assistance of any University of Bridgeport or Goodwin University graduate degree program. Adjuncts that are inactive will remain eligible to participate in the program for up to six (6) months from their last pay date.

Procedures

To determine eligibility, please check with your Human Resources department prior to registration of classes for either yourself or for your spouse/dependent child each semester. Once your eligibility for the program has been determined, you must complete a Tuition Assistance Form each semester once registered for classes in order for your scholarship to be

Employee Guidelines

• May take two 3- or 4-credit course per semester
• Cannot schedule classes during normal working hours without prior written approval from your supervisor and department Vice President
• Achieve a grade of “C” or better in each course
• Do not receive an “NS” or “UG” grade for any course
• Do not withdraw from, or drop, more than one course during the academic calendar year (unless prior approval has been received for medical or military leave)
• Consistently comply with the parameters of the program
• Employees must be in good-standing. Any student placed on academic probation or who has been found responsible for misconduct or disciplined under any University policies will not be eligible for tuition assistance

Failure to meet requirements will result in losing eligibility for one full academic calendar year

Spouse Guidelines

• May take up to a full-time credit load per semester
• Must be a current legal spouse of the eligible employee at the beginning of each semester
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress, in accordance with the University’s student policies
• Do not receive an “NS”, “UG”, “I” “W” or “U” grade for any course
• Do not withdraw from, or drop, more than one course during the academic calendar year (unless prior approval has been received for medical or military leave)
• Consistently comply with the parameters of the program
• Recipients must be in good-standing. Any student placed on academic probation or who has been found responsible for misconduct or disciplined under any University policies will not be eligible for tuition assistance

Failure to meet requirements will result in losing eligibility for one full academic calendar year

Dependent Guidelines

• May take up to a full-time credit load per semester
• Must be a legal dependent child of the eligible employee, per FAFSA guidelines, at the time of his/her initial class registration
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress, in accordance with the University’s student policies
• Do not receive an “NS”, “UG”, “I” “W” or “U” grade for any course
• Do not withdraw from, or drop, more than one course during the academic calendar year (unless prior approval has been received for medical or military leave)
• Once independent status is reached (per FAFSA guidelines), student must have continuous enrollment, including no unapproved leaves of absence through the completion of his/her program of study.
• Recipients must be in good-standing. Any student placed on academic probation or who has been found responsible for misconduct or disciplined under any University policies will not be eligible for tuition assistance

Failure to meet requirements will result in losing eligibility for one full academic calendar year

Separation from Employment

If your employment ends for any reason, you or your spouse/dependent children may complete all classes in which currently enrolled. Your eligibility ends at the end of the semester in which you are currently enrolled.

Policy

We highly support our employees seeking to pursue a doctorate in their field of study, related field, or University administration. This tuition assistance applies to doctoral programs at the University of Bridgeport only, and covers 60% of tuition costs for all coursework. This benefit applies to full-time employees of the University of Bridgeport and Goodwin University.

Not covered: Student fees, applicable program fees including lab fees, and dissertation tuition. Spouses and dependents of employees are not eligible for this program. Employees and families of Goodwin’s magnet schools are not eligible for this program.

To ensure a rich academic experience within each cohort, spaces for full-time employees are limited. If the number of eligible full-time employees exceeds the amount of space available, the University will award spaces based on several factors, including but not limited to the organization’s need and length of employment.

The University’s contribution will be considered a loan, which will be forgiven by two years of post-doctorate service. Note: Pursuing a doctorate is not a requirement for continuing employment.

Eligibility

Full-time employees with a minimum of two years of service (one of which must be full-time) are eligible for the program. Employees must be in good standing with a satisfactory performance record and have the approval of their Manager/Dean as evidenced by a statement of support from that Manager/Dean. The approval of the Provost or Vice President for the area is also required.

Procedures

To determine eligibility, please check with your Human Resources department before applying to the program.

There will be up to five (5) scholarships between the two institutions awarded each year for doctoral assistance. Full-time faculty or staff interested in applying for doctoral assistance must provide the following to the Office of Human Resources by July 1 of each year to be considered for the scholarship:

1. Completed Application for Doctoral Assistance signed by their direct supervisor and Dean/Vice President of their department;
2. Letter of acceptance into a doctoral program; and
3. A brief letter highlighting your accomplishments and contributions throughout your tenure at your respective institution.

The Doctoral Assistance program applications will be reviewed by both the Office of Human Resources and the Office of the Provost. Candidates will be notified of their application status via email from the Human Resources Director.

This is a tuition-only scholarship. Before receiving this scholarship, the recipient must be accepted for admission to the program and complete the application procedure. If the recipient wishes to apply for federal, state, or private financial aid, the amount of the scholarship awarded will be the difference between the financial aid received and the program’s tuition and fees. Books and supplies are the responsibility of the student. Professional development money cannot be applied to cover these fees.

Employee Guidelines

• Cannot schedule classes during normal working hours without prior written approval from your supervisor and department Vice President
• Do not withdraw from, or drop, more than one course during the academic calendar year (unless prior approval has been received for medical or military leave)
• Consistently comply with the parameters of the tuition program
• Employees must be in good standing as an employee and student. Any student placed on academic probation or who has been found responsible for the misconduct or disciplined under any University policies will not be eligible for tuition assistance

Separation from Employment

If an employee leaves their full-time employment before the end of the two (2) years after the degree is earned, a calculation will be performed to determine the amount of tuition assistance forfeited by the employee. The repayment of any amount due will be deducted from the employee’s final paycheck. Any employee seeking tuition assistance for the doctoral program must execute a promissory note detailing the terms of the agreement.