Staff Educational Assistance Plan
Princeton University encourages you to further your education by reimbursing a portion of your undergraduate or graduate school expenses.
When you are enrolled in a degree program at an institution accredited by the American Council on Education (ACE) or an eligible certificate program, the Staff Educational Assistance Plan will reimburse 85 percent of your tuition and mandatory expenses.
Eligibility
You are eligible to participate in the Staff Educational Assistance Plan on the first of the month after one year of benefits-eligible service.
To receive reimbursement, you must:
- enroll in an accredited educational institution in the United States
- enroll in a degree program if the course provides added skills, knowledge and credentials needed for your current position at the University, or will qualify you for other jobs at the University
- receive course credit and a grade or pass/fail designation
- be employed by Princeton and eligible for the Staff Educational Assistance Plan on the day your courses begin and on the day they end
- receive a grade C or better, or pass in a pass/fail course
- provide all the required documentation
If you are on long term disability, you are not eligible for this plan.
Reimbursement Benefit
The plan will reimburse 85 percent of your tuition and mandatory expenses up to a maximum of $5,250 per year (July 1 through June 30). Mandatory fees include technology, activity, health services and registration.
Standardized test fees also are reimbursable if you receive a passing grade and course credit by completing the standardized test.
Each year, you can receive reimbursement for two courses per semester, or six courses per year.
For doctoral dissertation fees, no grade is required for two plan years. These fees are reimbursable for a maximum of two plan years.
Applying for the Benefits
To apply for tuition benefits you must:
- select your course
- complete the Course Approval and Reimbursement form and return it to Human Resources no later than 31 days from the start of the courses(s) in order to receive for course approval
- have your supervisor sign the form to acknowledge awareness of your participation
- submit your application form to Human Resources, 1 New South (for PPPL staff, submit your application form to Human Resources, LOB Room B170, MS 33C-Site, Forrestal Campus)
You may be asked by a Human Resources staff member to provide additional documentation to confirm the appropriateness of your course selection.
If you change your course selection during the semester, you must file another application within 31 days from the start of the new courses in order to receive reimbursement.
Applying For Reimbursement
After you successfully complete the course(s), you can be reimbursed for expenses by:
- submitting your itemized bill to Human Resources within 90 days of the completion of the semester
- submitting your official transcript or certification to Human Resources within 90 days of the completion of the semester
The reimbursement will be included in your paycheck.
If you are receiving money from other sources, such as scholarships or grants, the benefits provided by Princeton are offset by the amounts reimbursed by the University.
Taxation on Reimbursed Expenses
Reimbursements up to $5,250 in a calendar year (January 1-December 31) are treated as nontaxable income by the IRS. Because the Plan is administered based on the University’s fiscal year (July 1-June 30), it may be possible to receive more than $5,250 in a calendar year. When this occurs, any reimbursements exceeding $5,250 in the calendar year is taxable income.
You can count on support from knowledgeable and responsive HR staff when you have a benefits question or problem. Just call or e-mail us. We’re here to help!
While the University intends to continue each of the benefit plans, the University reserves the right to terminate or amend any plan, at any time, and for any reason.
- To Obtain Benefits
- Application for Course Approval & Reimbursement