Tuition Assistance

The Wake Tech Foundation currently offers Tuition Assistance grants for continuing education and edification to enable Wake Tech faculty and staff to stay on the cutting edge of their respective disciplines and advance their skills and personal goals.

The primary goal of the Tuition Assistance program is to assist in the funding of college credit courses. Individuals seeking support for required certification and licensure programs should speak to their supervisor and/or department head regarding the use of the department's professional development funds.

Applications are accepted three times a year:

June 1 - July 1: Fall Semester (courses beginning August 1 to December 1)
October 1 - November 1: Spring Semester (courses beginning December 1 to April 1)
February 1 - March 1: Summer Term (courses beginning April 1 to August 1)

View a sample application.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Applicants must be a full-time annual employee of Wake Tech for at least one year prior to submitting an application for Tuition Assistance.
   
   
2. To be considered for assistance, applicants must have contributed to the Employee Campaign in the prior academic/fiscal year (between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012).

Program Guidelines:

1. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and are reimbursements in amounts up to $650 per semester for coursework (undergraduate, masters and doctorate) and up to $300 per semester for licensure and certifications.
   
   
2. Employees are eligible to receive Tuition Assistance three times a year; contingent on meeting all stated requirements.
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3. Applicants are encouraged to notify their supervisor prior to the submission of a Tuition Assistance application.
   
   
4. Award payments are made on a reimbursement basis. Course grade(s) and proof of tuition cost and payment must be submitted to Heather Buck in the Foundation office in order to receive tuition reimbursement.
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5. Employees on educational leave with pay or receiving grants and/or scholarships from other sources in an amount greater than or equal to the cost of tuition are not eligible to receive Tuition Assistance. [Employees pursuing Associate's or Bachelor's are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.]
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6. Credit courses must be offered by a regionally accredited institution. Non-credit courses must be sponsored by an appropriate agency.
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7. A grade of “C” or better on an undergraduate course or a grade of “B” or better on a graduate course must be made in order to receive funding. For ungraded courses or certifications, the employee must provide documentation clearly indicating successful completion.
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8. Employees attending Wake Tech: Tuition Assistance may be requested for Wake Tech courses beyond those which are covered by the Tuition Waiver benefit. (If you plan to enroll in one course, you ONLY need to submit a Tuition Waiver form.  If you plan to enroll in more than one course, you must submit a Tuition Waiver form in addition to a Tuition Assistance application.)
   
   
9. Tuition assistance is offered for tuition costs only. Student fees will not be included in reimbursement amount.
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10. Unused grants approved in one semester will not carryover to subsequent semesters.
    
    
11. Recipients who voluntarily separate from employment at Wake Technical Community College within one year of receiving tuition assistance will be expected to refund the Foundation for the amount received during the last one-year period.
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12. Applications are reviewed by a committee consisting of the Executive Vice President of the college, SVP of Curriculum Education, SVP of Continuing Education, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, and representatives from the Faculty Association and Staff Council. The selection process is facilitated by the Foundation Program Manager.

Reimbursement:

1. To request reimbursement, please submit a completed Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Check Request Form to Heather Buck in the Foundation office via email (hlbuck@waketech.edu) or interoffice mail.
   
   
2. Only courses listed on your application are eligible to receive reimbursement. Please send any course changes to Margaret Griffin at least 30 days prior to requesting reimbursement.
   
   
3. Undergraduate courses receiving below a grade of “C”, and graduate courses receiving below a grade of “B” are ineligible for reimbursement. Courses using a Pass/Fail system should be accompanied by a copy of the institution's grading policy.
   
   
4. Requests must be submitted to the Foundation office within 60 calendar days from the date of course completion in order to receive tuition reimbursement.
   
   
5. Please allow at least 8 business days for checks to be processed. Reimbursement checks will be sent via interoffice mail unless otherwise requested.
   
   
6. For budget allocation purposes, reimbursement checks for Summer courses will be issued after July 1.