Welcome to the Educational Assistance section of My Life at Children’s. Here you will find all the information you need about Educational Assistance. Select an option from the menu at the left for more details.

Educational Assistance

How the Program Works

Children’s encourages employees to develop skills and broaden knowledge in disciplines that advance Children’s work through higher education by providing financial assistance in the form of tuition reimbursement for approved programs of study leading to a degree.

The following is a general description of the Educational Assistance program. It is your responsibility to read HR Policy 6.15 – Educational Assistance – (see HR Policies at the left) for details on who is eligible for reimbursement, what expenses are eligible for reimbursement and how to request reimbursement. You must follow all the procedures outlined in HR Policy 6.15 to receive reimbursement. 

All courses must be part of an associate, baccalaureate or graduate-level degree program. The degree program must develop the employee’s capability to perform more effectively in their current position or facilitate advancement to another position at Children’s. 

A formal program of study plan for the degree must be presented to and approved by the employee’s immediate Manager and the next level of leadership before beginning the degree program.  The program of study must include a listing of required and potential elective courses the employee must take to complete the degree.  This information can easily be found on the academic institution’s website or from the academic counselor.  Employees currently taking courses must meet with their immediate Manager and the next level of leadership to review their degree plan and receive the required approvals.    

Following are some additional details regarding receiving Educational Assistance:

• Maximum Reimbursement – Tuition, required lab fees and other required course fees are reimbursable up to a maximum of $3,000 per calendar year for regular full-time employees (regularly scheduled to work a minimum of 72 hours per pay period) and up to $1,500 per calendar year for part-time employees (scheduled to work a minimum of 40 hours per pay period). The maximum reimbursement is based on the year in which the reimbursement is paid, not the year in which the class is completed.

• Service Requirement – Employees hired on or after Jan. 1, 2012, must complete a year of service before being eligible for any type of Educational Assistance. 

• Minimum Performance Requirement – Employees who are placed on a Performance/Behavior Improvement Plan, have received a Final Written Warning or Decision Making Opportunity on or after January 1, 2012, are not eligible to participate in tuition reimbursement for 24 months from the date the performance action was first initiated and reviewed with the employee.  Employees placed on a Performance/Behavior Improvement Plan, have received a Final Written Warning or Decision Making Opportunity before January 1, 2012 remain eligible for tuition reimbursement.  Employees who are placed on another Performance/Behavior Improvement Plan, receive a Final Written Warning or Decision Making Opportunity after January 1, 2012 will not be reimbursed for additional classes until they have worked at least 24 months from the date the performance action was first initiated and reviewed with the employee.

• Repayment Agreement Employees must commit to remaining employed at Children’s for one (1) year in a Benefits Eligible status (as defined by Human Resources) following completion and final reimbursement for an approved degree plan. Employees who voluntarily terminate or become Benefits Ineligible will be required to pay back reimbursement received in the preceding twelve (12) months. The amount that must be repaid will be prorated based on the number of months employed or in a Benefits Eligible status following reimbursement.