Tuition Benefits
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The 做厙勛圖 is proud to offer eligible employees and family members the opportunity to pursue an affordable college education.
These benefits through the Total Rewards package include tuition waivers for courses taken at the University of Rochester, as well as tuition reimbursement for courses taken at other colleges and universities.
On this page you’ll find information about all of our plans, how to enroll, and other tuition benefit resources. You can also learn more by viewing the tuition benefits plan outline.
Tuition Benefit Updates
Starting July 1, 2026, were prioritizing a 做厙勛圖 education by focusing tuition benefits on programs offered here. Under the updated policy, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria, tuition reimbursement for programs at external colleges and universities will not be eligible for reimbursement when a comparable program is available at the University of Rochester. We believe in a 做厙勛圖 education where the Rochester curriculum allows students to tailor their degrees to their interests; where, as an R1 research institution, students participate in innovative research; and where our integrated UR Medicine system on campus, pre-med and nursing students have excellent opportunities for clinical shadowing, internships, and fellowships in a collaborative community, with intimate class sizes.
In addition, to support individuals going into nursing professions, were also increasing the tuition benefit for 做厙勛圖 School of Nursing programs to a 95% waiver for all eligible participants, regardless of salary band. This change expands funding for those pursuing nursing degrees.
Note: Employees utilizing tuition reimbursement benefits for outside programs may qualify for legacy benefits. Review the FAQs and full policy details to learn more.
Tuition benefit highlights
- 80-95% waiver on courses at 做厙勛圖
- Effective July 1, 2026, the employee tuition waiver benefit for credit-bearing courses taken at the University of Rochester School of Nursing will be a 95% tuition waiver, regardless of current salary.
- 70% tuition reimbursement on programs of study at other colleges that are not offered at the University of Rochester
- Waivers available for eligible dependent children on courses at the University of Rochester
Using tuition benefits at 做厙勛圖
If you plan to take courses at the University of Rochester, here’s what you’ll need to know.
Plan at-a-glance
Eligibility
(Individuals represented by collective bargaining agreements receive benefits in accordance with those agreements)
Regular Full-Time Faculty/Staff:Upon completion of 1 year of full-time service
Regular Part-Time Faculty/Staff:Upon completion of 2 years of part-time service
- Full-time Strong Memorial Hospital Residents and Fellows and full-time Departmental Fellows are eligible upon appointment for a 95% tuition waiver of two credit-bearing courses per semester or mini-semester only at the University of Rochester.
- Full-time Postdoctoral Associates (0093) are eligible upon appointment for a 95% tuition waiver for two credit-bearing courses per semester or mini-semester only at the University of Rochester.
Regular Full-Time Faculty/Staff
The employee tuition waiver benefit is based on the current salary* (see salary bands below) of the full-time faculty/staff member at the beginning of each relevant period (e.g., semester/mini-semester) for up to two credit-bearing courses taken at the University of Rochester, if such course is deemed by the employees immediate supervisor either to be related to the employees job at the University or part of a degree plan that would prepare the employee for a future job within the University.**
Regular Part-Time Faculty/Staff
The employee tuition waiver benefit is based on the current salary* (see salary bands below) of the part-time faculty/staff member at the beginning of each relevant period (e.g. semester/mini-semester) for one credit-bearing course taken at the University of Rochester, if such course is deemed by the employees immediate supervisor either to be related to the employees job at the University or part of a degree plan that would prepare the employee for a future job within the University.**
Salary Bands
Regular Full-Time and Part-Time Faculty/Staff Earning: <$71,000
(Employee Tuition Salary Band 1):
- 95% Tuition Waiver
Regular Full-Time and Part-Time Faculty/Staff Earning: $71,000-$151,400
(Employee Tuition Salary Band 2):
- 90% Tuition Waiver
Regular Full-Time and Part-Time Faculty/Staff Earning: >$151,400
(Employee Tuition Salary Band 3):
- 80% Tuition Waiver
Effective July 1, 2026, and subject to the same above tuition waiver eligibility criteria and limitations on the number of courses, the employee tuition waiver benefit for credit-bearing courses taken at the University of Rochester School of Nursing will be a 95% tuition waiver, regardless of current salary.
The annual index for the salary bands are based on changes in the national average wages as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Full-time Strong Memorial Hospital Residents and Fellows and Full-time Departmental Fellows will receive the 95% Tuition Waiver Benefit.
For Other Courses
70% tuition waiver for two credit-bearing courses (onefor part-time faculty/staff) per semester/mini-semester.**
Eastman Community Music School
Upon completion of one year of full-time service or two years of part-time service, regular full-time and part-time faculty/staff are eligible for a 25% reduction in charges for musical instruction through the.
How to Apply
Apply online for the Employee Tuition Waiver Benefit by logging intomyURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Waiver Application under the Suggested Links section.
Waiver Status
Find out when your tuition waiver was processed, what percentage was waived, and whether or not it is taxable by logging on tomyURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Waiver Application under the Suggested Links section.
The University reserves the right to modify, amend or terminate the Employee Tuition Waiver Benefit at any time. This document provides only a summary of the main features of the plan. A paper copy of this information is available for free from the Office of Total Rewards.
*For an hourly-paid staff member, annual salary is standard annual hours times the hourly rate of pay; for a salaried faculty or staff member, annual salary is 12 times the regular monthly salary or 24 times the regular semi-monthly salary. For faculty members under the School of Medicine and Dentistry Master Clinical Faculty Compensation Plan, annual salary means Targeted Salary.
**Active employment in an eligible status must be maintained through the completion of the course and the faculty or staff member must successfully complete the course. If these criteria are not met, the faculty or staff member will be responsible for the payment of the course and any related late fees.
Enrollment process
- Confirm your eligibility for the tuition waiver benefit
Eligible employees include those with at least 1 year of full-time service or 2 years of part-time service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please review the above Plan-at-a-Glance. If you have additional questions, contact the Office of Total Rewards at (585) 275-0476 or via email at TuitionBenefits@UR.rochester.edu - Complete the online Employee Tuition Waiver application
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Log into myURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Waiver Application under the Suggested Links section.
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- Employee Tuition Waiver Process after submission
- Review the appropriate schools registrar website for assistance in determining tuition cost. If you believe your application was processed but the waiver is not reflected on your student account and would like to know your balance due, please contact the Bursar’s Office at (585) 275-3931.
NOTE: All applications must be submitted no later than 30 days from the start of the course.
Tuition reimbursement at other colleges and universities
If you plan to take courses at another college or university, the following information about tuition reimbursement will apply to you.
Plan at-a-glance
Eligibility
(Individuals represented by collective bargaining agreements receive benefits in accordance with those agreements)
Regular Full-Time Faculty/Staff: Upon completion of 1 year of full-time service
- Regular Part-Time Faculty/Staff are not eligible for tuition reimbursement benefits.
Regular Full-Time Faculty/Staff
Effective July 1, 2026:
- For regular full-time faculty and staff enrolled in a program of study not available at the University of Rochester, 70% tuition reimbursement for up to two credit-bearing courses (including approved non-credit courses and certification/recertification exams)** in each relevant period (e.g., semester or quarter), if such course is directly related to the employees job at the University.
- To qualify for consideration under Tuition Reimbursement, employees must document the program of study they are pursuing and the school they are attending. To be eligible for tuition reimbursement, the program of study must be materially different from programs available to students of the University of Rochester. A full list of University programs of study can be found at /academics/programs.html. The Office of Total Rewards will have sole discretion in determining if a program of study is materially different from programs offered at the University of Rochester.
In no instance is an employee eligible for tuition reimbursement of more than a total of 2 courses/certification/recertification exams per semester or quarter.
How to Apply
Complete an Employee Tuition Reimbursement Application by logging into myURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Reimbursement Application under the Suggested Links section. Apply no later than 30 days from the start date of the course(s).’
Payment of Tuition Reimbursement
Within 90 days of successful course/exam completion, applicable course/exam documentation (i.e. grade report, proof of cost and payment) must be submitted to the Office of Total Rewards.
Payment of Tuition Reimbursement
Find out when your tuition reimbursement was processed and what check you can expect your reimbursement to be loaded into your paycheck by logging on to myURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Reimbursement Application under the Suggested Links section.
Temporary Legacy Continuation of Employee Tuition Reimbursement Benefit (does not apply to certification/recertification exams)
Regular full-time faculty/staff who are utilizing tuition reimbursement benefits and are matriculated into a program no later than the FALL 2026 semester or quarter will be eligible to continue to receive their current level of benefit [70% tuition reimbursement for up to two courses in each relevant period (semester or quarter)] through completion of their degree or the end of the SPRING 2029 semester, whichever comes first. Eligibility and matriculation must be maintained throughout the legacy benefit period and courses must be directly related to the employees job at the University. Eligible faculty/staff will need to provide documentation from the college or university confirming that the employee is matriculated in a degree program by FALL 2026 to qualify for these benefits.
The University reserves the right to modify, amend or terminate the Employee Tuition Reimbursement Benefit at any time. This document provides only a summary of the main features of the plan. A paper copy of this information is available for free from the Office of Total Rewards.
* Active employment in an eligible status must be maintained through the completion of the course and the faculty or staff member must successfully complete the course. If these criteria are not met, the faculty or staff member will be responsible for the payment of the course and any related late fees.
Enrollment Process
1. Confirm your eligibility for the tuition reimbursement benefit
Eligible employees include those with at least 1 year of full-time service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, contact the Office of Total Rewards at (585) 275-0476 or via email at TuitionBenefits@UR.rochester.edu.
2. Complete the online Employee Tuition Reimbursement application
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- Log intomyURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Reimbursement Application under the Suggested Links section.
3. Tuition Reimbursement Approval Process
The Office of Total Rewards will notify you of your tuition reimbursement applications approval/denial via email.
4. Payment of 70% Tuition Reimbursement
Within 90 days of course completion, the employee must submit an itemized tuition bill, including proof of cost and payment, and proof of successful course completion (i.e. grade report) by logging into myURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Reimbursement Application under the Suggested Links section.
Note: Once paperwork is submitted, reimbursements will be loaded into employees paychecks within 1-2 pay periods of paperwork being received. All applications must be submitted no later than 30 days from the start of the course.
Legacy Benefit Certification form
In response to the tuition reimbursement benefit changes effective July 1, 2026, employees may qualify to continue receiving tuition reimbursement under the legacy provision [70% tuition reimbursement for up to two courses in each relevant period (semester or quarter)]. To be eligible, you must be matriculated into a program of study no later than the FALL 2026 semester or quarter. Legacy benefits will remain available through completion of the degree or the end of the Spring 2029 semester, whichever comes first. To request legacy benefit approval, please complete the certification form and submit documentation from your school confirming your program and matriculation date.
Dependent children tuition benefits
If one of your dependent children is ready to attend college, here is some information about our dependent children tuition waiver benefit.
Plan at-a-glance
| Eligibility | Dependent Child Tuition Waiver |
| Regular full-time faculty/staff* with at least 10 years of full-time service completed whose child is a first-time, first-year, matriculating freshman student at the University of Rochester | The 做厙勛圖 will provide a tuition waiver equal to the difference between the stated full undergraduate tuition cost at the applicable UR school or college and the full undergraduate tuition cost for New York State residents for Baccalaureate Degree programs at SUNY colleges, for up to four years of undergraduate study, not to exceed a total of 8 semesters (including summer semesters). Tuition Benefits will be pro-rated for part-time study.**
Note: If the dependent child is a transfer student (even if the child is willing to not transfer any credits to the University), the dependent child would not be eligible for the 10-years of service Dependent Children Tuition Waiver Benefit. However, the dependent child may be eligible for the 50% (25% for part-time faculty/staff) benefit if you satisfy the eligibility criteria for the benefit under the tuition benefit plan. |
| Regular full-time faculty/staff* with at least 5 years of full-time service completed
Service will be prorated for faculty/staff members who have changed status from part-time to full-time or vice versa |
The 做厙勛圖 will provide a tuition waiver equal to 50% of the stated full undergraduate tuition cost at the applicable UR school or college, for up to four years of undergraduate study, not to exceed a total of 8 semesters (including summer semesters). Tuition Benefits will be pro-rated for part-time study.** |
| Regular part-time faculty/staff* with at least 6 years of part-time service completed
Service will be prorated for faculty/staff members who have changed status from part-time to full-time or vice versa |
The 做厙勛圖 will provide a tuition waiver equal to 25% of the stated full undergraduate tuition cost at the applicable UR school or college for up to four years of undergraduate study, not to exceed a total of 8 semesters (including summer semesters). Tuition Benefits will be pro-rated for part-time study.** |
| Eastman Community Music School | Children of regular full-time and part-time faculty/staff are eligible for a 25% reduction in charges for musical instruction through the after the completion of one year of full-time service or two years of part-time service. |
| How to Apply | Apply online for the Dependent Child Tuition Waiver Benefit by logging into myURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Dependent Child Tuition Waiver Application under the Suggested Links section. |
The combination of any merit award(s) and tuition benefits may not exceed tuition. Any tuition benefit will be part of the needs-based calculation.
The University reserves the right to modify, amend or terminate the Dependent Children Tuition Waiver Benefit at any time. This document provides only a summary of the main features of the plan. A paper copy of this information is available for free from the Office of Total Rewards.
*- Regular full-time and regular part-time (appointed to work at least 17.5 hours or more per week) staff who are members of SEIU 1199 Upstate-SMH and SEIU Local 200 United-River Campus are eligible for tuition benefits for dependent children
– Children of Strong Memorial Hospital Residents and Fellows, children of Departmental Fellows and children of Postdoctoral Associates 093 are not eligible for tuition benefits
**The dependent child tuition benefit is available only while the employee is actively employed in an eligible status. Should employment cease (or eligibility otherwise cease) during a semester/quarter, the benefit will be prorated for that semester/quarter.
Enrollment process
- Confirm your eligibility for the dependent children tuition waiver benefit
- 5 years, 6 years or 10 years of service depending on the benefit. If you are unsure, contact the Office of Total Rewards at (585) 275-0476 or via email: TuitionBenefits@UR.rochester.edu.
- Complete the online Dependent Children Tuition Waiver application
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Log into myURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Dependent Child Tuition Waiver Application under the Suggested Links section.
b. Complete the application and hit “Submit”
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- Dependent Children Tuition Waiver Process after submission
- The Office of Total Rewards will approve the appropriate waiver benefit and notify Financial Aid.
- Financial Aid adjusts the students account per the waiver benefit.
NOTE: All applications must be submitted no later than 30 days from the start of the course.
Tuition benefit tax information
If you are using tuition benefits for undergraduate courses, your courses are non-taxable, so this section will not apply to you. Dependent children tuition benefits are also non-taxable.
If you are using tuition benefits for graduate or non-credit courses, your courses may be taxable you should continue to read.
General tax break information
If your courses are deemed taxable, you will receive a tax break up to $5,250 each calendar year (January 1December 31).
Determining if your courses are taxable
1. Is the graduate/non-credit course required to meet the minimum education requirements of my position?**
- If yes taxable
- If no read next question
2. Is the graduate/non-credit course part of a program of study that will qualify me for a new trade or business?***
- If yes taxable
- If no read next question
3. Will the graduate/non-credit course maintain or improve skills required, appropriate or helpful to my current position?
- If yes – non-taxable
- If no read next question
4. Is the graduate/non-credit course required as a condition to retain my current position or pay rate?
- If yes – non-taxable
- If no – taxable
*For the course to qualify as a tax exempt job-related course, the answers to the first two questions must be No, and the answer to either the third or fourth question must be Yes.
**Minimum Required Education:For example, suppose an employee, who holds a bachelor’s degree, obtains temporary employment as an instructor at the University and undertakes graduate courses as a candidate for a graduate degree. Also, suppose the employee may become a faculty member only if he/she obtains a graduate degree and may continue as an instructor only so long as he/she shows satisfactory progress towards obtaining his/her graduate degree. The graduate courses taken by the employee constitute education required to meet the minimum educational requirements for qualification in the employees trade or business and, thus, the expenditures for such courses in excess of $5,250 are not deductible.
***New Trade or Business:For example, a program of study qualifies an employee for a new trade or business if successful completion of the program would qualify the employee to: (1) meet a new category of professional licensure or certification required to perform a particular job (e.g. nurse practitioner certification); or (2) be employed in a position that has a different educational requirement than his/her current position, either within or outside the University. NOTE: Intention or actual job change is irrelevant; even if the employee does not intend to change positions, or does not take a new position, the tuition benefit is taxable if the employee becomes qualified to do so.
Additional information: Taxable wages, tax exemption form, and tax rate
Graduate tuition assistance benefits and/or tuition reimbursement for non-credit courses that exceed $5,250 in a calendar year are taxable wages unless the course satisfies the requirements for a tax deductible job-related course under IRS rules. Generally, a job-related course will satisfy these IRS requirements if it maintains or improves skills for the individuals present job, or if the course meets the employers express requirements for retaining the job, and the course is not part of a program that will qualify the individual for a new trade or business.
If you believe that your proposed graduate level course(s) and/or non-credit course(s) satisfies the requirements for a tax deductible job-related course under IRS rules, follow these instructions:
- For the employee tuition waiver benefit, answer all the applicable questions on the online Employee Tuition Waiver application available in myURHR Workday.
- For the employee tuition reimbursement benefit, answer all the applicable questions on the online Employee Tuition Reimbursement application available in myURHR Workday.
(Employees can use the information above to determine whether or not a course is taxable).
For taxable tuition benefits:
Applicable Federal and State income taxes and FICA taxes (approximately 41.35% of the taxable tuition amount) will be deducted from the employees paycheck when the waiver is approved or the reimbursement is paid to the employee. In addition, the taxable income will be reflected on the W-2 for the calendar year when the actual tuition benefit is posted to the students account or reimbursed to the employee.
How to calculate tuition benefit taxes
1. Add up the amount of tuition benefits you are receiving for the graduate course and/or non-credit courses you will be taking during the winter/spring semester/quarter.
Example: 2 courses for $3,330 each- $3,330 + $3,330 = $6,660
2. Deduct $5,250 from the total amount of graduate tuition benefits for the semester/quarter. This new total is the taxable amount of your employee tuition benefits for the current semester/quarter.
Example: $6,660 – $5,250 = $1,410.00
3. Multiply the taxable amount by 41.35% (the approximate rate of tax for Federal and State income taxes and FICA taxes). This new total is roughly equal to the amount of taxes that will be deducted from your paycheck(s) during the current semester (tuition waiver) or the amount your reimbursement will be reduced (tuition reimbursement).
Example: $1,410 x 41.35% = $583.04 (Estimated deduction from your paycheck (tuition waiver) or amount your benefit will be reduced (tuition reimbursement).
4. Then, if you are taking more courses in another semester (summer or fall), add up the amount of tuition benefits for the graduate courses you will be taking during that semester/quarter.
Example: 2 courses for $3,330 each- $3,330 + $3,330 = $6,660.
If you have already received graduate tuition benefits over $5,250 during the calendar year, this entire total is the taxable amount of your employee tuition benefits for that semester/quarter.
5. Multiply the taxable amount by 41.35% (the approximate rate of tax for Federal and State income taxes and FICA taxes). This new total is roughly equal to the amount of taxes that will be deducted from your paycheck(s) during that semester (tuition waiver) or the amount your tuition benefit will be reduced (tuition reimbursement).
Example: $6,660 x 41.35% = $2,753.91 (Estimated deduction from your paycheck (tuition waiver) or amount your benefit will be reduced (tuition reimbursement).
Tuition benefit forms
Find tuition form information and links in the drop-downs below. NOTE: All applications must be submitted no later than 30 days from the start of the course.
Additional benefits forms can be found here.
For step-by-step guidance on completing tuition benefit applications, visit the .
Service credit form
At the University of Rochester, the service requirement for the tuition benefits plan may be met by service at another college, university, or 做厙勛圖 affiliated teaching hospital, as well as service at a member of the controlled group of the University that offered a tuition benefit plan for which the faculty or staff member was eligible. To receive credit for such prior service, please complete the Service Credit online form.
Employee tuition waiver
Beginning 1/8/2025, you can apply online for the Employee Tuition Waiver Benefit for Spring 2025 by logging intomyURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Waiver Application under the Suggested Links section.
Please contact TuitionBenefits@UR.rochester.edufor questions or concerns with your application.
If you are registered for music instruction through the Eastman Community Music School, please email TuitionBenefits@UR.rochester.edu for a paper application.
Legacy Benefit Certification form
In response to the tuition reimbursement benefit changes effective July 1, 2026, employees currently enrolled in a program at an outside college or university may qualify to continue receiving tuition reimbursement under the legacy provision [70% tuition reimbursement for up to two courses in each relevant period (semester or quarter)]. To be eligible, you must be matriculated into a program of study no later than the FALL 2026 semester or quarter. Legacy benefits will remain available through completion of the degree or the end of the Spring 2029 semester, whichever comes first. To request legacy benefit approval, please complete the certification form and submit documentation from your school confirming your program and matriculation date.
Employee tuition reimbursement
Beginning 1/1/2025, you can apply online for the Employee Tuition Reimbursement Benefit for Winter/Spring 2025 by logging intomyURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Reimbursement Application under the Suggested Links section.
Please contact TuitionBenefits@UR.rochester.eduwith any questions.
Employee reimbursement of professional certification/recertification exams
Beginning 1/1/2025, you can apply online for the Employee Reimbursement of Professional Certification/Recertification Exams for Spring 2025 by logging intomyURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Employee Tuition Reimbursement Application under the Suggested Links section.
Dependent children tuition waiver
Apply online for the Dependent Child Tuition Waiver Benefit by logging into myURHR Workday using your Active Directory, click on Benefits and Pay on the homepage, click on Dependent Child Tuition Waiver Application under the Suggested Links section.