General Information
Courses must be post-secondary or graduate level taken at a properly accredited educational institution. Mandatory courses that are required by your agency/department are not covered under this program. Courses or degree programs must be related to your current position or another position within Vermont State government. If the course is not related to your current job, you must complete a career plan, unless you already have one on file with the Department of Human Resources. Tuition Reimbursement applications and career plan forms are available from your personnel officer or on this page (below). You must provide proof that you have received credit for the course within three months of completing the course.

Eligibility
Classified employees in the non-management and supervisory bargaining units, who have completed original probation, are eligible to apply for tuition reimbursement. Managerial, confidential, and exempt employees are also eligible under a separate funding source, after completion of original probation. Note: Department of Corrections employees in the Corrections Bargaining Unit and members of the State Police Bargaining Unit are covered under separate programs and should contact their personnel officers for more information.

Application Process
Complete a Tuition Reimbursement form # TR0001 and submit it first to your department and then to the Department of Human Resources by the deadlines outlined below. Your department will determine what, if any, amount of its own funds will be allocated to you, and then forward your application to the Department of Human Resources for processing. If you don't already have a career plan on file with the Department of Human Resources and the course or degree program is not related to your current position, you must submit a career plan with your application.

For courses beginning between January 1 and June 30, applications must be submitted by U.S. mail and be postmarked no earlier than November 7 and no later than November 21. For courses beginning between July 1 and December 31, applications must be submitted by U.S. mail and be postmarked no earlier than May 25 and no later than June 7.

Expenses Covered by Tuition Reimbursement
Reimbursement covers tuition only - books and fees are not covered. Tuition reimbursement will not exceed 80% of the actual costs, up to $350.00 per credit. When combined with other sources of reimbursement (federal grants or department contribution, for example) the maximum amount of reimbursement to an employee cannot exceed 90% of the total costs for tuition up to the $350.00 limit. An employee may not be reimbursed for more than twelve (12) college credits per fiscal year, and may not be reimbursed for more than two (2) courses, for a maximum of eight (8) credits within a six-month period (July-December, January-June).

Distribution Method
Up to two courses may be funded, depending upon available funds. You are required to indicate your priority course in the event that only one course per applicant can be funded. If the demand for tuition reimbursement exceeds the available funds, a lottery system will be used to distribute the remaining funds.

Payment Method
There are two types of payment through Tuition Reimbursement: direct payment to the institution prior to the beginning of class and reimbursement to the employee after course completion. Direct payment to educational institution: The State will pay its share of course tuition, in advance, to the educational institution. Payments are contingent upon successful completion of the course. You must provide documentation of a passing grade to the Tuition Coordinator at the Department of Human Resources within three months of course completion. If the course is not successfully completed, you will have to repay the state for all monies paid on your behalf. If you fail to register for the course, you must notify the Tuition Coordinator in writing and contact the institution to arrange for the funds to be returned to the state.

Reimbursement to employee: The state will reimburse you upon successful completion of the course.