Educational Assistance Benefits

The Office of Human Resources administers the Educational Assistance Benefit Plan for Dartmouth employees. Dartmouth encourages employees to increase their knowledge and skills by taking courses toward completion of a degree or to enhance their skills and knowledge. Dartmouth supports these educational activities through four educational assistance programs. For a full description of these programs and eligibility requirements, please see the program descriptions below.

Tuition Grant for Dartmouth Courses

Benefits-eligible employees who are actively at work for one year of continuous regular employment may be eligible to receive tuition grants for courses at Dartmouth. This benefit includes enrollment in courses offered by Arts and Sciences and the Professional Schools (Geisel School of Medicine, Thayer School of Engineering, and Tuck School of Business).

  • Enrollment in courses offered by the Thayer School of Engineering and Tuck School of Business are limited to two courses in a five-year period and tuition grants are not offered to Thayer and Tuck matriculated students.
  • Tuition Grant benefits provide one course per term of tuition support towards the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science in Healthcare Research residential graduate programs, and the equivalent of the MALS tuition for the hybrid MPH graduate program and the Master of Health Administration.
  • The graduate program in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences (QBS) will allow eligible employees to obtain its MS degree using the tuition grant program on a part-time basis taking 1 unit’s worth of coursework per term. 
  • Undergraduate courses will receive a tuition grant for one course per term for full-time employees; pro-rated for less than full-time; 50% for spouses. 
  • Graduate courses (other than Thayer, Tuck, the MPH degree, and the QBS degree) will receive tuition grant in aid for one course per term in a calendar year for full-time employees; pro-rated for less than full-time; 50% for spouses. 
  • The maximum tax-free benefit allowed by the IRS is $5,250 per year. Once you have exceeded the $5,250 limit you will be taxed on this benefit as if it were earned income ("imputed income").

Tuition Grant Program Description (pdf)
Employee Status Verification Form for Tuition Grant Benefits (pdf)
Graduate Tuition Benefits Form (pdf)

Other Dartmouth Educational Opportunities

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS)

The MALS program was designed for individuals who want to engage in self-directed study in the liberal arts at the graduate level. Dartmouth has offered a Master's Degree Program for adults in Liberal Studies since 1970.
The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at Dartmouth is designed for students who want to engage in both directed and independent work on subjects that are not bound by the curricula of traditional disciplines.
Employees interested in pursuing a degree through this program should contact MALS admissions.

The Dartmouth Institute (TDI)

The Institute graduate programs build on a rigorous core curriculum that provides an understanding of the challenges facing the U.S. health care system and a firm grounding in the skills required to measure, organize, and improve public health and health care.
The Institute program offers several concentration and joint-degree options that can be completed on a full or part-time basis. Please visit their website for more information.

Educational Assistance Program

Benefits-eligible employees who are actively at work for one year of continuous regular employment may take courses that have been pre-approved by the administrator of the program. Employees are reimbursed for 100% of the cost of registration and tuition fees, up to a maximum benefit of $2,000 per calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31) for successfully completed courses in which they receive a grade of C- or higher for associate or undergraduate courses and B- or higher for graduate courses. Certifications and seminars are not covered under this program. Courses must be taken from an accredited college or university. The maximum reimbursement is pro-rated for part-time employees. If the employee leaves Dartmouth for any reason prior to course completion, tuition assistance is forfeited.

Educational Assistance Program Description (pdf)
Educational Assistance FAQ (pdf)
Educational Assistance Request Form (pdf)

SEIU Educational Assistance Program

Service Employees International Union ("SEIU") member employees may also participate in the SEIU Tuition Reimbursement program. This program provides reimbursement of educational expenses to SEIU employees enrolled in vocational training programs that are not eligible for reimbursement under the Tuition Assistance Program. Employees are reimbursed for 100% of the cost of registration and tuition fees, up to a maximum benefit of $2,000 per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30), including any benefits received through the Tuition Assistance Program that year.

In order to be eligible for reimbursement, a class must be pre-approved, relevant to a current or future job, offered by a licensed program, and be satisfactorily completed. Reimbursement is only available for classes which begin after an employee has been a regular employee for at least one year. The maximum reimbursement is pro-rated for part-time and nine-month employees. If the employee leaves Dartmouth for any reason prior to course completion, tuition reimbursement is forfeited. Guidelines for this program are outlined in the document below.

SEIU Educational Assistance Program Description (pdf)
SEIU Educational Assistance Request Form (pdf)

GED/HiSet Tuition Assistance Program

Passing the GED/HiSet tests gives those who did not complete high school the opportunity to earn their high school equivalency credential.

Program Requirements

Benefits-eligible employees who are actively at work for one year of continuous regular employment may take prep courses and exams that have been pre-approved by the administrator of the Educational Assistance Programs. Employees are reimbursed for 100% of the cost of prep courses and exams fees, up to a maximum benefit of $300 per calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31) for successfully completed prep courses and exams. Prep courses and exams must be taken from an approved testing center. If the employee leaves Dartmouth for any reason prior to completion, tuition assistance is forfeited.

While the links below are for Vermont and New Hampshire, the reimbursement is also available for those employees located in other states. Please follow the links below for costs, prep courses, and test locations in Vermont and New Hampshire.

GED/HiSet Education Assistance Program Description (pdf)
GED/HiSet Tuition Assistance Request Form (pdf)

Vermont Agency of Education

http://education.vermont.gov/ (main website)
http://www.vtadultlearning.org/services/ged-testing/ - (GED specific)

New Hampshire Department of Education

http://www.education.nh.gov/ (main website)
http://www.education.nh.gov/career/adult/equivalency-test-test.htm (HiSet specific)
NOTE: New Hampshire's high school equivalency test is called HiSet.

Educational Assistance Programs Workshop

Workshops are offered twice a year to learn about the educational assistance benefits offered to Dartmouth employees. For dates, times, and registration, visit the Professional Development Course Catalogue; choose "Educational Assistance Benefits" from the drop down box under "All Course Offerings".

If you are interested in receiving more information about these programs, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 603-646-3411.

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