Tuition & Educational Assistance Programs

All State University employees (SUEs) and Research Foundation employees — excluding student employees — are eligible to have course(s) covered by the waiver.

An eligible employee must be expected to be on the payroll for the course’s duration.  

There must also be a reasonable expectation that their employment will continue beyond the course’s duration so that the University will also benefit from the knowledge the employee acquires. 

• Only credit-bearing courses taken at the University at Albany or other state-operated SUNY campuses are covered.
• Non-credit courses, courses taken at community colleges and course audits are not covered.
• Courses must be related to the employee’s current position or increase the employee’s opportunity for advancement within the University. Only two semesters of doctoral load credits per employee will be covered.
• Tuition only may be waived. Employees are responsible for all fees, including the University fee.
• Employees must satisfactorily complete courses by obtaining a grade of D or better to retain the tuition waiver. Employees who drop or do not provide proof of satisfactory completion of courses are ineligible for a tuition waiver and are responsible for any charges billed by the instructing campus.
• If the tuition waiver funding cannot be recovered from the instructing campus, the employee will be prohibited from utilizing the B-140W Tuition Waiver Program for the following two semesters.
• Incomplete grades will be given an extension period. Failure to provide proof of satisfactory completion of the courses by the extension date will prohibit the employee from utilizing the program for the following two semesters after the extension period. 

The amount waived is contingent upon available funding. The usual reimbursement rate is:

• Part-time Employees: Up to 50% of up to six credits per semester  
• Full-time Employees: Up to 50% of up to eight credits per semester 

Under federal law, tuition assistance for graduate-level courses is subject to federal and state income tax, and social security and Medicare taxes, unless the courses are related to the employee’s current job.

The first $5,250 of educational assistance from a qualified program provided to an employee is excluded from taxable wages.

To apply, you must complete, sign and date Part 1 of the B-140W Tuition Waiver Program Application. Your supervisor must complete, sign and date Number 12 in Part 2.

The form should then be submitted via email ([email protected]) or in person (University Administration Building, Suite 300) by the appropriate deadline:

• Fall 2024: August 5, 2024
• Winter 2024-2025: December 2, 2024
• Spring 2025: December 9, 2024
• Summer 2025: April 14, 2025
• Fall 2025: August 4, 2025

Generally, the deadline for fall is in early August, winter and spring in early December, and summer in mid-April.  

Due to funding limitations, applications received after established deadlines will be placed on a waiting list pending determination of available funding. Employees will be promptly notified by email as soon as action has been taken on their application.