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 go to https://wise.unh.edu/, once logged in click on Employee Services and then select the Tuition Benefit Form.
Faculty and Staff Tuition Benefit Resources:
- Employee Benefit
- Dependent Benefit
- Semester Information
- Graduate Tuition Benefit Taxation Process
- Tuition Benefit Campus Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions
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 go to https://wise.unh.edu/, once logged in click on the “Employee” tab and then select the “Tuition Benefit Form” tab at the bottom of the screen.
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 receive an email with the approval and your tuition benefit information will be shared with the appropriate student system. If your tuition benefit is “Pending”, an email will be sent to your supervisor for approval or denial to take the course during work hours. Your supervisor will approve or deny and send an email to your campus Human Resources Office to update your status.
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. Upon receipt from your supervisor, the campus Human Resources will update your status.
Q: How do I check my tuition benefit status?
To check the status of your tuition benefit, go to https://wise.unh.edu/. Once logged in, click on the “Employee” tab, then select the “Tuition Benefit Form” tab, and then select “Tuition Benefit Form Status”.
Q: The course was dropped or cancelled. What do I need to do?
You need to provide your Human Resources Office verification from the student system that the course was dropped or canceled. Your Human Resources Office will adjust the online 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.
