Purpose
Tuition Reimbursement is provided to assist teachers and other professional personnel (educators) pursue graduate courses in areas that relate to GEAR UP goals.
Eligibility
Educators must meet each of the eligibility requirements in order to be eligible for Tuition Reimbursement.
- Educators must be working with middle and/or high school students in a school serving a GEAR UP cohort.
- Educators must be enrolled in a graduate program in a field relevant to their current position or select graduate courses that relate to their professional responsibilities.
- Educators must be full-time employees of the LEA.
- A grade of B (3.0) or higher must be earned in order to collect reimbursement.
Policy
Tuition Reimbursement is provided for graduate courses offered by nationally accredited North Carolina institutions of higher education.
Educators are responsible for obtaining prior authorization from the GEAR UP Appalachian Partnership.
An eligible educator may receive reimbursement for tuition and labs on graduate coursework each term (fall, spring and summer). This policy does not cover cost for registration, books, fees and exams. Course work taken shall be reimbursed at a rate no more than $300 per semester.
Reimbursement is based on satisfactory completion of coursework. Satisfactory completion is defined as a grade of B (3.0) or better. For ungraded classes, official proof of successful completion is required.
An educator eligible for reimbursement from another source (such as federal/state aid, scholarships, or grants) may seek assistance under the tuition reimbursement program but reimbursement will only be approved for the difference between the amount received from the other funding source and the total allowed expense, not to exceed
$300.
An educator who is terminated while enrolled in approved classes due to a reduction in the workforce or through no fault of her/his own shall be reimbursed for the class upon successful completion as defined in this policy. An educator who voluntarily leaves the LEA, leaves at the request of management, or is discharged prior to completing a course, shall not be reimbursed.
Funding is limited and will dictate the number of reimbursements awarded each year.
Procedure
The educator must complete an online Tuition Remibursement Application Form (click here to complete and submit)
to GEAR UP Appalachian for approval by the following dates:
- Fall Courses – September 15th
- Spring Courses – January 15th
- Summer Courses – June 15th
Completed forms will be automatically forwarded to Teanna Setzer (setzertf@appstate.edu), Phone: (828) 262-8016
A new application must be submitted each semester.
The application should list the courses to be taken, credits to be obtained and cost per credit hour.
Tuition cost will not be reimbursed for classes that have not been previously approved.
Notification of approval will be sent via e-mail.
Within 60 days of the successful completion of the coursework, the educator must submit to GEAR UP Appalachian a detailed invoice, proof of payment and a transcript with a grade of B (3.0) or better for the coursework. This paperwork must be sent to Teanna Setzer by fax (828-262-6988) or by mail at GEAR UP Appalachian, ASU Box 32152, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608. Failure to submit this documentation within 60 days of the completion of the coursework may result in loss of funding.
Reimbursement will be made by GEAR UP Appalachian through a check sent to the educator’s home or school. Every effort will be made to reimburse educators as quickly as possible.
