The University System of New Hampshire offers tuition benefits to eligible employees and their dependents through the Tuition Benefit Program. Once an employee meets eligibility requirements, these benefits can be used to pay for courses with a USNH course identifier at any USNH Campus. For complete details regarding the program and eligibility please refer to the USNH Tuition Benefit Plan Policy. Note regarding UNH Law School: Eligible USNH faculty/staff members who wish to use the tuition benefit at the law school must be admitted to and matriculated at the UNH School of Law.
To access the Tuition Benefit form Log in to Workday. For step-by-step instructions please access the Tuition Benefit job aide. Questions? Submit a Help Ticket
Employee Eligibility
UNH Benefits eligible employees may use the USNH Tuition Benefit to enroll in up to a total of 5 Courses (Credit or Non-Credit) per fiscal year after they have completed their introductory employment period. Generally, the Staff introductory period is six (6) months; the Faculty introductory it is the completion of one (1) year. The benefit is for courses, not credit hours. The total number of courses covered by the tuition benefit for a full-time employee is five (5) in a fiscal year. The benefit DOES NOT apply to, “short courses,” institutes, or courses offered by other institutions on campuses of USNH.
Employee Tuition Benefit Criteria
- Credit courses: the benefit is applied towards the registration fee and tuition cost at 100%
- Non-Credit courses: the benefit is applied towards registration and tuition at 50% (less the cost of course materials and meals, if applicable)
Employee Terms and Conditions of the USNH Tuition Benefit Plan
Employee's Spouse/Dependent Tuition Benefit Criteria
The USNH Tuition Benefit plan is also available to spouses and legal dependents (under the age of 24) after the employee has been employed for 1 year in a benefits eligible position.
- Can be used for Credit coursework only and the benefit is applied as 50% of current in-state tuition
Note: For eligible employees who request the tuition benefit for their eligible dependents that are admitted as out-of-state students: If the out-of-state dependent is receiving a merit scholarship, please note that the amount of the scholarship will be the amount awarded to in-state students since the tuition benefit is based on in-state tuition rates.
Dependent Terms and Conditions of the USNH Tuition Benefit Plan
Taxation
There is no taxation applicable for undergraduate coursework for employees, spouse or dependents. There are income tax implications for graduate coursework for employees, spouse and dependents. Graduate Taxation Information
Q: The Employee Terms and Conditions of the USNH Tuition Benefit Plan indicates the number of courses allowed is per fiscal year. What is a fiscal year?
A fiscal year runs from July to June. The Tuition Benefit considers the summer term as the beginning of the fiscal year even if courses begin before July.
Q: Do I use the tuition benefit module to register for classes?
No, the tuition benefit module is only used to apply for the employee/dependent tuition benefit.
Q: How do I make a request for tuition benefits?
To access the Tuition Benefit Form log in to Workday. For step-by-step instructions please access the Tuition Benefit job aide.
Q: I am taking courses at two different USNH campuses; do I enter two separate forms?
Yes, you must enter different forms for each campus and each semester.
Q: Can I use the tuition benefit for a degree program outside of the University System of New Hampshire campuses?
No, the tuition benefit is only for courses within the USNH. Faculty or staff members may enroll in any of the regular credit or non-credit courses offered by USNH at UNH Durham, UNH Manchester, UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, Keene State College, or Plymouth State University. The tuition benefit does not apply to the following: short courses, institutes, or courses offered by other institutions on the campuses of USNH.
Q: How is eligibility for the tuition benefit determined?
Eligibility for the tuition benefit is based on your employment information in the USNH Human Resources system. Your current hire date is used to determine when you are eligible for the benefit.
Q: Do I have to enter a course number in the online Tuition Benefit Form?
No. A course number is not required on the Tuition Benefit Form.
Q: How do I find the student ID number for my dependent or myself?
The student ID is how you and/or your dependent(s) are identified at the institution where you are attending classes. The student ID can usually be found in the student information system on the campus website.
Q: How do I determine if my dependent is an IRS dependent?
See Policy USY V.A.4.7.3, Spouse and Dependent Children Tuition Benefit.
A dependent is an IRS dependent if they meet all of the following:
- have not reached age 24
- unmarried
- are dependent on the employee for more than half of their financial support
- are claimed on the employee’s/spouse‘s income tax return as a dependent.
Q: What happens after I submit my request?
If your tuition benefit request is “Auto Approved”, you will see the approved status in your “My Tuition Benefit Requests” dashboard within the tuition benefit form task screen. If your tuition benefit is “In Progress”, a notification will be sent to your supervisor for approval or denial to take the course during work hours within Workday. Your supervisor will approve or deny your request.
Q: My tuition benefit request to take a course during work hours was approved by my supervisor. Do I need to use my accrued Earned Time or Vacation Time for the time I miss from work?
Yes, you will need to use Earned Time/Vacation Time for any course time taken during your normal working hours.
Q: How do I check my tuition benefit status?
You can check your status in your “My Tuition Benefit Requests” dashboard within the tuition benefit form task screen.
Q: The course was dropped or cancelled. What do I need to do?
You need to provide your USNH Benefits team verification from the student system that the course was dropped or canceled. Your USNH Benefits team will adjust the Tuition Benefit Form to reflect that the course as cancelled or dropped.
Q: If I audit a course does that count against my total courses that I am eligible for in a fiscal year?
Yes.
Q: I am taking one course during the work hours and one course that is not during work hours. Do I submit a form requesting two courses and say they are during work hours?
No, you should submit two separate forms. One form should be for the course(s) that are during your work hours and require your supervisor's approval and one form for the course(s) that are not during work hours. This way your supervisor will know how many courses you will be taking during your work hours.
Q: When is the tuition benefit considered taxable income?
The tuition benefit associated with Graduate Level Courses taken by the employee is considered taxable income if the benefit exceeds $5,250 in a calendar year. In addition, tuition benefits associated with Graduate Level Courses taken by eligible spouse/dependent(s) is taxable income regardless of amount. USNH is required to report the tuition benefit as income and tax accordingly through payroll.
Q: What happens if I terminate my employment with USNH during a semester?
Employees terminating during the semester are responsible for payment of a pro-rated portion of the remaining amount of tuition that was previously granted for themselves or their spouse/dependent(s). Furthermore, USNH reserves the right to charge the former employee for any tuition that exceeds the proportionate amount of time worked during that semester.
