Tuition Remission, Loans and Assistance
The current CBA offers several options for faculty, their spouses or domestic partners, and their dependents to further their education, either at any campus of Long Island University or other institutions of higher learning.
Tuition Remission
As part of the current CBA, the University provides tuition remission, under the terms delineated below, to Unit Members and their families. Eligibility for tuition remission requires the potential recipient to file for any tuition assistance available under Federal, State ot Local law (i.e. TAP and Pell grants). Acceptance of tuition remission has income tax implications!
Full Time Faculty:
- Unit Member: Full remission of tuition for any course taken in the University subject to approval by the appropriate Dean, Director or the Academic Vice President.
- Spouse or Life Partner: Full remission of tuition for any course taken in the University.
- Dependent Children: Full remission of tuition for eight semesters of full time study or its equivalent in part time study taken in the University. Eligibility for dependency are those established by the IRS for tax purposes.
- There is a sliding scale for full-time faculty members hired after 2017 to qualify for tuition remission for the member, soupd/partner, or dependents.
Adjunct Faculty:
- Eligibility for tuition remission is established by the adjunct faculty member’s service one (1) semester hour credit of tuition remission for each semester hour credit of instruction delivered. There is a sliding scale for adjunct faculty members hired after 2017 to qualify for this benefit.
- Tuition remission credits may be used by the adjunct faculty member or his/her dependents at any center of Long Island University in the term in which the adjunct is employed or in any subsequent term within two (2) years.
Tuition Assistance to Attend Courses at Other Institutes of Higher Learning
Acceptance of tuition remission has income tax implications!
There are two forms of tuition assistance available to Full Time Faculty designed to allow their dependents to take courses at other institutes of higher learning
- Tuition Assistance: The University shall provide tuition assistance to unit members whose dependents are in attendance in other institutions of higher learning at the rate of five hundred and ninety-nine dollars ($599) per year per dependent as per Internal Revenue Service. Forms for requesting tuition assistance under this provision are available n the Administrative Services Office (M409)
- Tuition Exchange Program: Long Island University shall become a participating institution in the tuition exchange program. Awards to dependents of faculty under this program are considered scholarships and are therefore NOT TAXABLE. However, they are competitive and may have other restrictions based upon the school of interest. Faculty planning on participating in this program are strongly urged to visit the Tuition Exchange program web site and begin the application process in the year before the dependent is planning on attending college.
Ph.D. Loans
In order to encourage and assist full-time faculty members to obtain their doctoral degree, the following shall be in effect:
- An interest free loan up to a maximum of $11,000 as of September 1, 2003, $12,000 as of September 1, 2004 and $13,000 as of September 1, 2005 is available for use by full-time faculty who are matriculated in an accredited doctoral program, with no more than $2,750 as of September 1, 2003, $3,000 as of September 1, 2004 and $3,250 as of September 1, 2005 in any one academic year. An additional interest free loan up to a maximum of $2,750 as of September 1, 2003, $3,000 as of September 1, 2004 and $3,250 as of September 1, 2005 may be made available subject to the approval of such additional moneys by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. In no event shall the total loans granted to any faculty member under this provision exceed $15,000.
- All other provisions regarding the doctoral loan program, such a forgiveness of the loan or repayment when appropriate shall be in accordance with current University policies and practices regarding such loans.
Forms for requesting loans under this provision are available n the Administrative Services Office (M409)
Tax Implications
Graduate level tuition remission up to $5,250 within a calendar year is tax exempt to active employees and retirees. In accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 127, amounts in excess of $5,250 are subject to all employer and employee taxes via payroll deduction. Undergraduate level tuition remission for active employees and retirees, their spouses and dependent children is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 117(d). All other instances of tuition remission are fully taxable and subject to payroll tax withholdings. Unit members who are considering taking advantage of any of the tuition programs outlined above should consult their tax preparer or the Internal Revenue Service Publication 970 for more information.