Degree-Seeking Credit Courses

If you are a full-time, benefits-eligible faculty, staff, or UNITE HERE bargaining unit member who has been employed by JHU for at least 120 days, and you continue in a full-time position while enrolled in a degree program, you are eligible to receive tuition assistance.

If you are a full-time, benefits-eligible LIUNA bargaining unit member who has completed 90 days of full-time employment, and you continue in a full-time position while enrolled in a degree program, you are eligible to receive tuition assistance.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, employees under disciplinary action within 12 months of any academic period or at the time of submitting an application are not eligible for benefits under this Plan.

The benefit is available only during periods in which the faculty, staff and bargaining unit member is employed full-time, or during periods of authorized leave not exceeding one year in duration from which the faculty or staff member will return to full-time employment.

Retirees, Visiting Faculty and Staff, Residents, Interns and Postdoctoral Fellows, and family members are not eligible for this benefit.

Effective for fall semester 2022, the following tuition benefits will be available for eligible degree-seeking employees. The annual benefit amount is based on the calendar year in which the course starts.

Eligible expenses include tuition and course-related fees only. Eligible expenses will be covered up to the annual benefit amount for the calendar year in which the course starts. Any remaining balance cannot be rolled over from year to year.

Employees are responsible for all ineligible expenses including, but not limited to: books, non-course-related fees, meals, lodging, transportation, and tools or supplies that can be kept after completing the course of instruction.

Educational programs not covered include, but are not limited to:

• Individual courses for sports, games, or hobbies, unless part of a degree program;
• Non-credit bearing certificates or non-credit bearing individual courses (does not apply to LIUNA Bargaining Unit Members);
• Certification, designation, and license exams;
• Seminars, conferences, and workshops.

All courses related to a degree must be completed with a minimum grade equivalent of C or better. Courses taken by Bargaining Unit Members that are based on a pass/fail grading system must be completed with a passing grade.  Courses in which an employee receives an incomplete, withdrawal, or equivalent grade are ineligible.

Repayment of direct-bill tuition and related expenses will be required for any course in which the employee fails to meet the course completion requirements. Employees can work with the JHU Office of Benefits & Worklife to repay any amounts.

In compliance with IRS regulations (section 127), employer-provided educational assistance is exempt from taxation up to a maximum of $5,250 per calendar year (determined by payment date of the course). Taxes will be deducted from any reimbursement over $5,250 and you will receive the net cost. If you are earning your degree at JHU, you will be responsible for paying taxes on any benefit over $5,250. This amount will be deducted from your paycheck throughout the year. Please consult with your tax advisor for additional information.

To participate, all employees will need to submit an initial application through our employee tuition platform, EdAssist.  Applications should be submitted to EdAssist no later than 30 days after the course start date.  Applications will be reviewed for policy compliance by EdAssist and then will be forwarded to your supervisor and HR Business Partner for approval.

Employee’s will need to submit a course approval application for each quarter, semester, or academic term.  Managers and HR will only have to re-approve an employee’s application if there is a change to degree type or field of study.

Following approval of your application, payment will be made per the program rules outlined below.

• Undergraduate degrees – Employees have the option of Direct Bill or Reimbursement as the payment method.
• Graduate degrees outside of JHU – Graduate degrees outside of JHU will be administered as a reimbursement to the employee after successful completion of the course.
• Graduate Degrees at JHU – Graduate degrees at JHU are funded by Student Accounts following documentation of an approved application and invoice.

Click here to access our EdAssist portal and complete your application.

Undergraduate Benefits: 

1. Complete your application in the EdAssist platform no later than 30 days after the course start date. You have the option to select Direct Bill or Reimbursement as the payment method. Minimize your out-of-pocket costs with Direct Bill.  You will receive an email when your application is approved.
2.  If selecting Reimbursement:
   • Upload a copy of your itemized invoice showing all tuition and fees. This can be done at time of application or after approval. EdAssist will review your invoice and approve or deny. Upon approval, you will receive an automated email notification when your application is processed for payment.
   • Your reimbursement will be received via payroll/direct deposit within 1-2 pay periods from your approval email.

2.  If selecting Direct Pay:

• • Upon application approval, you will receive notification with a Letter of Credit (LOC) attached. The LOC serves as the payment notice to your school.
  • Sign and submit the LOC to your school (student accounts) as soon as possible.
  • Once the school receives your LOC, they will submit an itemized invoice directly to EdAssist.
  • EdAssist will then send payment directly to your school for applicable tuition and fees that are covered by your tuition assistance benefit.  You will receive notification once your tuition is paid

3. Submit proof of successful course completion (grade of a C or better) within 60 days after course completion.

Click here for step-by-step application instructions for undergraduate/graduate courses outside JHU.  

Graduate Benefits Outside of JHU:

1. Submit your initial application in the EdAssist platform no later than 30 days after the course start date. You will receive an email when your application is approved.
2. Upload a copy of your itemized invoice showing all tuition and fees. This can be done at time of application or after approval. EdAssist will review your invoice and approve or deny.
3. Submit proof of successful course completion (grade of a C or better) within 60 days after course completion. Upon approval, you will receive an automated email notification when your application is processed for payment.
4. Your reimbursement will be received via payroll/direct deposit within 1-2 pay periods from your approval email. Any reimbursement over $5,250 will be taxed.

Click here for step-by-step application instructions for undergraduate/graduate courses outside JHU.

Graduate Benefits at JHU:

1. Submit your initial application in the EdAssist platform no later than 30 days after the course start date. You will receive an email when your application is approved.
2. Upload a copy of your itemized invoice showing all tuition and fees. This can be done at time of application or after approval. EdAssist will review your invoice and approve or deny. Upon approval, you will receive an automated email notification when your application is processed for payment (this will include the course name and costs). *To retrieve your statement, you will need to log into your SIS account and select Billing, click Summary, and under View Statement select the statement you need.
3. Submit a copy of your payment approval email to Student Account Operations by submitting a case using the SEAM student support system. At the SEAM home page, click Browse All Topics> Billing, Payments, and Refunds > JHU Tuition Remission.
4. Student Accounts will credit your account with the approved amount. Any benefit received over $5,250 will be taxed via payroll. Tax deductions will be spread out over the remaining pay periods to help minimize the net impact of your take-home pay.
5. Submit proof of successful course completion (grade of a C or better) within 60 days after course completion.

Click here for step-by-step application instructions if seeking a degree at JHU.

Education Coaching:

To help you make decisions about your education, the university has partnered with EdAssist to provide free academic coaching.  Whether you are just beginning your education journey, finishing a degree, or need help deciding between different programs, an academic coach is available to help you make informed decisions about degree programs and associated costs. To schedule an advising appointment, use the self-scheduler option available under “Education Coaching” on the EdAssist website.

Education Network:

EdAssist offers a network of over 220 educational partners.  Within this network you can receive tuition reductions, waived fees, prior learning credits and more. Access the network through the EdAssist website or by clicking here.

Additional Help: If you have questions about your tuition application, please use the following methods to contact EdAssist Employee Services:

Live Chat: For immediate assistance, access EdAssist and go to Support Services, then select Get Live Help. Chat hours are between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET (Monday – Friday).

Support Ticket:  Access EdAssist and go to Support Services, then select Create a Support Ticket.