Employee Academic Assistance Program (EAAP)

Purpose

An employee education assistance program is an important addition to your benefits package when considering your potential for growth within the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). Tuition assistance maintains an atmosphere of lifelong learning and broadens the professional development of our employees while strengthening their commitment to their department or office and to the institution.

The Employee Academic Assistance Program (EAAP) at MSM is a tuition reimbursement/waiver initiative that is provided for all regular full-time eligible employees in support of their educational pursuits. A reimbursement would be provided for courses taken at undergraduate and graduate programs taken outside of MSM. A waiver would be provided for courses taken within graduate programs taken at MSM. The program encourages the development of skills in your area of interest or the building of skills for new areas of interest.

[Note: The amount of employee tuition reimbursements is based on the availability of funds. Employees should only register for courses after approval by both the supervising manager and the EAAP Committee. Courses within the MD and PA degree programs are not eligible under the EAAP. Graduate classes taken in extramural doctoral programs are also not eligible under the EAAP.]

FAQs

• How long do I have to be employed before I can utilize EAAP?
  Employees may receive EAAP benefits after one year of continuous service at MSM.
• What academic programs are eligible for me to attend to take courses?
  Undergraduate, graduate and certificate program courses are considered eligible within the EAAP. Employees must only take courses from regionally accredited programs. Academic programs will be reviewed for final approval by the EAAP Committee.
• Does the course or degree I seek need to be job-related?
  Tuition reimbursement must be directly related to the employee’s position or within their career or development plan at MSM.
• Will I be excused from office duties if I take courses during my regular work hours?
  Employees should receive approval from their managing supervisor in advance of registering for courses. With the supervisor’s approval, the employee may complete a Flex Schedule Form to approve of absence during regular work hours, ask to take vacation or personal leave or submit a leave request in the case of an extended absence. Leave is unpaid unless vacation time is used and will be based on the institution’s leave policy. Managers must ensure that there is appropriate coverage for the office while the employee is attending classes.
• Do I have to maintain certain grades to receive the reimbursement/waiver?
  To be eligible for cost reimbursement/waiver, the employee cannot receive grades of less than “C” for undergraduate courses and “B” for graduate courses.  The reimbursement/waiver is based upon a sliding scale: 100% for grades of “A”, 90% for grades of “B” and 80% for grades of “C”. No reimbursement will be received for grades below “C” for undergraduate courses and “B” for graduate courses.
• Do I have to commit to staying at MSM after I am reimbursed for a course?
  Employees must continue full-time work at MSM for a period of two years after payment for coursework taken or be subject to the repayment of the reimbursement or waiver.
• Are there any tax implications as a result of receiving tuition reimbursement funds?

  The tuition for courses taken for an undergraduate degree is not taxable income unless the employee has previously earned an undergraduate degree at any four-year college or university. Tuition for graduate level courses or a second undergraduate degree is taxed after the tuition reimbursement exceeds $5,250 in value. Any amount over $5,250 is considered imputed income to the employee.

  [Note: The taxation of this benefit is determined by the Internal Revenue Service Code.]